Showing posts with label Squirrel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Squirrel. Show all posts
Friday, 8 December 2017
I Dare You ......
Nothing captures Penny's attention faster that a squirrel making a dash for a tree:
Friday, 11 November 2016
Friday at the Flicks - Grey Squirrel
It's a while since I spotted a Grey Squirrel at the feeders.
I don't think this is the same one which visited several times earlier in the year. That one had a very distinctive large bald spot half way along its tail. It is possible the fur re-grew if it has been changing its coat for the Winter. Not sure whether it has a cast over its left eye or whether that was just the way the IR lights were reflected:
Thursday, 31 March 2016
Sunday, 4 January 2015
Squirrel Visitor
A couple of days ago I spotted the grey squirrel visiting all the feeders but it didn't seem to find anything it fancied eating. Photos taken through the kitchen window with the Nikon S9050. Slideshow video made with mac app 'Photo Movie + DVD Slideshow Pro' (silent):
A bit of a shock waking up this morning to -1.5C and a thick frost. Quite a change from New Year's Day when temperatures reached 13C. At least the Sun is shining giving some free heat indoors.
A bit of a shock waking up this morning to -1.5C and a thick frost. Quite a change from New Year's Day when temperatures reached 13C. At least the Sun is shining giving some free heat indoors.
Sunday, 7 April 2013
Friday, 11 November 2011
No Peanuts? Try Some Bread!
First Friday without any new flicks for a long time. Too dull and very little activity in the garden. This Grey Squirrel was too fast to capture on video but I did manage a few stills as it kept changing its mind as to the best place to eat the piece of bread it had found.
Friday, 28 October 2011
Friday at the Flicks - Squirrel Raider - Hedgehog
The same morning I took the photos of a Grey Squirrel helping itself to some peanuts I managed to grab some video clips. It hasn't been back since Sunday so I guess it's raiding someone else's bird feeders.
Soundtrack produced using the iPad app Loopseque (free version).
(Patiently waiting for an update so it will work with iOS5)
Every now and then I check the camera view in the nestbox. There are a number of fluffy feathers which were not there the previous week so someone has shown an interest. In fact the last time there were so many small feathers was when two birds had a battle over who was going to use the nest. So far it hasn't been used as a night roost.
Still from the nest box camera:
I still see a Hedgehog from time to time and most of the food disappears every night so at least one is still awake.
A few nights ago I nearly had to rescue the Hedgehog. It was at the water dish drinking when Bobby went out. As Bobby neared the hog it started to curl up. Unfortunately it was curling with its nose under water and I could see bubbles rising so I quickly called Bobby away and it soon scuttled off..
Soundtrack produced using the iPad app Loopseque (free version).
(Patiently waiting for an update so it will work with iOS5)
Every now and then I check the camera view in the nestbox. There are a number of fluffy feathers which were not there the previous week so someone has shown an interest. In fact the last time there were so many small feathers was when two birds had a battle over who was going to use the nest. So far it hasn't been used as a night roost.
Still from the nest box camera:
I still see a Hedgehog from time to time and most of the food disappears every night so at least one is still awake.
A few nights ago I nearly had to rescue the Hedgehog. It was at the water dish drinking when Bobby went out. As Bobby neared the hog it started to curl up. Unfortunately it was curling with its nose under water and I could see bubbles rising so I quickly called Bobby away and it soon scuttled off..
Sunday, 23 October 2011
I Spy With My Little Eye ....
... A PEANUT THIEF
I watched this morning as a Grey Squirrel helped itself to peanuts from one of the feeders and proceeded to bury them in various places around the garden.
You may need to click on this to enlarge it:
I think every planter had at least one peanut buried in it.
I watched this morning as a Grey Squirrel helped itself to peanuts from one of the feeders and proceeded to bury them in various places around the garden.
You may need to click on this to enlarge it:
I think every planter had at least one peanut buried in it.
Thursday, 20 October 2011
First Visit This Year
Up to something like eighteen months ago I used to have regular, often daily, visits by a Grey Squirrel. For some reason the visits stopped, until this morning when this character was seen eyeing up the Birdy Bistro. After a quick look it decided that it had better come back later when Bobby wasn't watching.
Sunday, 16 May 2010
Plants in the Garden, etc.
When I look around my garden I seem to see as much colour from self sown wild flowers as there is from the plants I have bought.
There is a small tree fern growing in a tub which I move to the unheated greenhouse over winter. In spite of the cold weather there are new fronds appearing and I am looking forward to a decent display this year. Last year it started late and made very little growth.
I have a couple of tomato plants, one in the greenhouse and one in a smaller grow house (a Shirley and a Money Maker). Both are showing their first flowers.
Also in the greenhouse the strawberry plants are flowering and showing signs of the fruit to come. At first I thought they were being attacked by whitefly but closer observation showed the white objects seem to be discarded skins and the flies are more red than white. They are the same size as the odd greenfly which is also present. I wonder what they are.
This morning while out walkies we saw a grey squirrel. Quite a cheeky one as it sat up checking for any traffic before crossing the road.
They usually disappear rapidly when they spot us but this one paid us no heed at all.
For the second day running there is a Hedgehog curled up in its house. It made several visits for food and water during the night. These are a couple of snapshots from last night's video captures.
There is a small tree fern growing in a tub which I move to the unheated greenhouse over winter. In spite of the cold weather there are new fronds appearing and I am looking forward to a decent display this year. Last year it started late and made very little growth.
I have a couple of tomato plants, one in the greenhouse and one in a smaller grow house (a Shirley and a Money Maker). Both are showing their first flowers.
Also in the greenhouse the strawberry plants are flowering and showing signs of the fruit to come. At first I thought they were being attacked by whitefly but closer observation showed the white objects seem to be discarded skins and the flies are more red than white. They are the same size as the odd greenfly which is also present. I wonder what they are.
This morning while out walkies we saw a grey squirrel. Quite a cheeky one as it sat up checking for any traffic before crossing the road.
They usually disappear rapidly when they spot us but this one paid us no heed at all.
For the second day running there is a Hedgehog curled up in its house. It made several visits for food and water during the night. These are a couple of snapshots from last night's video captures.
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Happy New Year .. Partial Eclipse of the Moon .. Squirrel Flicks for Friday
Sending one and all very best wishes for 2010
As well as tonight, New Year's Eve, being a Once in a Blue Moon event (the second full Moon in the same month) there was also a partial eclipse of the Moon at about 7.21 p.m. which could be seen from Europe. I had hoped for the clear skies which were forecast for much of the UK but it has been very cloudy most of the day. In fact there was a light snowfall an hour or so ago. Near the allotted time I took the cameras outside in the hopes of being able to photograph the event. I had no idea how much of an eclipse it was going to be. Fortunately the clouds cleared enough to see the Moon and the Earth's shadow only touched a very small area near the bottom right of the Moon.
This is one of the first pieces of video I took with my first camcorder. An old 8mm Samsung job bought from the local branch of Cash Converters. This video was hand held so is a bit on the wobbly side and shows a Grey Squirrel which used to visit my garden nearly every day.
A really big THANK YOU to all who have visited my blog during 2009. When I started it in mid January I had no idea which direction it would take me or whether anyone would visit to see what I had been up to. The experience has been an eye opener, meeting so many new friends and seeing so many great blogs which I try to keep up with. I wish you all a great year ahead.
Friday, 15 May 2009
Drenched + Hanging on by a Claw
Walkies this morning was a time for both of us to put on our waterproofs. At least we could do that. The poor old birds really did look a sorry sight as they went about the daily business of feeding themselves and gathering enough to feed the kids back home.
The only one looking reasonably dry was the juvenile Blackbird who seems to have adopted my garden as a source of easy food. It spends most of the time under an old wooden garden seat next to the feeders and pops out to pick up a morsel and then back under cover.
It is a while since a certain visitor came to the feeders.
Recognise this tail? I bet you guessed who the owner is.
Squirrel Nutkins, of course. I was once again marvelling just how tenuous its hold is when reaching for food. Those claws on the back legs must dig in well accompanied by good strong muscles to support the weight.
A piece of video I took last year as SN raided a peanut feeder with those back claws just hooked over the edge of the slate cover.
At last the Sun is poking through the clouds, just as well as the pond has been toppped up nicely but is very near overflowing now.
Last night when I went to put out a bit of food for the Hedgehogs the smaller one was already there on the paved area so I gently scattered the little bits of peanut. Little hog stayed for a short while making quite peeping noises but eventually ran and hid. It was soon back for its supper (breakfast really) once I had gone back indoors.
The only one looking reasonably dry was the juvenile Blackbird who seems to have adopted my garden as a source of easy food. It spends most of the time under an old wooden garden seat next to the feeders and pops out to pick up a morsel and then back under cover.
 |
| From MIDMARSH JOTTINGS |
It is a while since a certain visitor came to the feeders.
Recognise this tail? I bet you guessed who the owner is.
Squirrel Nutkins, of course. I was once again marvelling just how tenuous its hold is when reaching for food. Those claws on the back legs must dig in well accompanied by good strong muscles to support the weight.
A piece of video I took last year as SN raided a peanut feeder with those back claws just hooked over the edge of the slate cover.
At last the Sun is poking through the clouds, just as well as the pond has been toppped up nicely but is very near overflowing now.
Last night when I went to put out a bit of food for the Hedgehogs the smaller one was already there on the paved area so I gently scattered the little bits of peanut. Little hog stayed for a short while making quite peeping noises but eventually ran and hid. It was soon back for its supper (breakfast really) once I had gone back indoors.
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Birds in the Garden
The new feeding arrangements are going really well with birds visiting nearly all day. I am especially pleased that after over a year of trying to tempt Goldfinches there was a pair who dropped in on and off nearly all day.
Most of the time they spent snacking at the niger seed feeder ...
... with an occasional sortie into the covered feeder which, amongst other seeds, contains Sunflower hearts.
Every so often they would fly into a nearby tree but it wouldn't be long before they were back again.
One of the Goldfinches was the first bird I had seen try out the new water supply.
Other bird visitors included a Wren which I always find difficult to photograph as they are either constantly on the move or when they do stop they are so small they vanish behind the smallest of obstacles.
During the Winter I had put up some roosting pouches for birds to find shelter if they needed it. I don't think any was actually used though I did once spy a House Sparrow go inside one. Today a Great Tit was investigating the outside of a roost but I think that on both occasions the birds were looking for food.
Of course a day does not go by without one unwelcome visitor to the feeders. I have tried all sorts of things to discourage it but in the end the best that can be done is damage limitation. Make sure that the wire on the peanut feeder is strong enough to withstand those teeth!
I have found another individual Rook visitor. Just look at the size of the underhang on this ones beak. No mistaking him / her when it revisits. It looks a bit on the tatty side but I think it had recently been having a paddle.
All in all, in spite of the gloomy weather, it was a good day for watching the bird visitors to the garden.
 |
| From Blogger Pictures |
Most of the time they spent snacking at the niger seed feeder ...
... with an occasional sortie into the covered feeder which, amongst other seeds, contains Sunflower hearts.
Every so often they would fly into a nearby tree but it wouldn't be long before they were back again.
One of the Goldfinches was the first bird I had seen try out the new water supply.
Other bird visitors included a Wren which I always find difficult to photograph as they are either constantly on the move or when they do stop they are so small they vanish behind the smallest of obstacles.
During the Winter I had put up some roosting pouches for birds to find shelter if they needed it. I don't think any was actually used though I did once spy a House Sparrow go inside one. Today a Great Tit was investigating the outside of a roost but I think that on both occasions the birds were looking for food.
Of course a day does not go by without one unwelcome visitor to the feeders. I have tried all sorts of things to discourage it but in the end the best that can be done is damage limitation. Make sure that the wire on the peanut feeder is strong enough to withstand those teeth!
I have found another individual Rook visitor. Just look at the size of the underhang on this ones beak. No mistaking him / her when it revisits. It looks a bit on the tatty side but I think it had recently been having a paddle.
All in all, in spite of the gloomy weather, it was a good day for watching the bird visitors to the garden.
Saturday, 4 April 2009
Mixed Bag and a Puzzle
Just had to take this rather uninspiring photo of the Sun first thing this morning as it was the first I had seen of it for over two days.
Once the Sun had burned off the low cloud which had blocked it out since Wednesday then things began to look a lot brighter like the patterns on the head of this Great Pond Snail.
Even last years left over seed heads on the Buddleia made an interesting composition.
The Magnolia bud I had photographed a few days ago is now fully open.
On our afternoon perambulations I spotted a Crow flying around with what looked like a beak full of sheeps wool. Finally it settled near another Crow. I assume this was intended as nesting material but there was no sign of a nest anywhere nearby and eventually they took off and disappeared into the distance.
For a while now I have been trying to get a half decent photo of these ducks. Haven't the foggiest what breed they are. They are bred locally and live on a large pond on the edge of the property. Their dark colouring has been difficult to capture. At first I thought they were all black but sunlight shows subtle blue and purple with some dark green on the side of the head.
In another part of the village is this magnificent 'tree house'. Well not really a tree house but it would make a lovely hide to spot the birds visiting the field which backs right up to it.
On a limb of one of the Ash Trees we pass I saw what to the naked eye looks just like a black lump stuck on the side of the branch. I couldn't see any detail until I tweaked the photo a bit. I assume it is a fungus of some sort but have no knowledge in that direction at all.
Now the puzzle:
As usual Squirrel Nutkins was grabbing as much as s/he could from the peanut feeder. When it spotted me it leapt on the fence top and started to race down the garden as usual. This time it stopped half way, came back, went down on the ground and then in a flower container. There it picked up one of the pebbles and made off with it. Now why would it take a pebble?
a) to smash open acorns
b) to sharpen its teeth
c) to throw at Bobby when he gets too close
:>)
or some other sensible reason?
I tried Google and Yahoo searches and the only mention I could find of Squirrels taking pebbles was on SQUIRRELWEB.
New one for me: 6.30 pm and on the lawn was a male Yellowhammer - such brilliant colours. Never seen one in the flesh before but it was unmistakable. As usual the camera had been put away and the bird didn't stay for long. Here's hoping it will visit again.
Once the Sun had burned off the low cloud which had blocked it out since Wednesday then things began to look a lot brighter like the patterns on the head of this Great Pond Snail.
Even last years left over seed heads on the Buddleia made an interesting composition.
The Magnolia bud I had photographed a few days ago is now fully open.
On our afternoon perambulations I spotted a Crow flying around with what looked like a beak full of sheeps wool. Finally it settled near another Crow. I assume this was intended as nesting material but there was no sign of a nest anywhere nearby and eventually they took off and disappeared into the distance.
For a while now I have been trying to get a half decent photo of these ducks. Haven't the foggiest what breed they are. They are bred locally and live on a large pond on the edge of the property. Their dark colouring has been difficult to capture. At first I thought they were all black but sunlight shows subtle blue and purple with some dark green on the side of the head.
In another part of the village is this magnificent 'tree house'. Well not really a tree house but it would make a lovely hide to spot the birds visiting the field which backs right up to it.
On a limb of one of the Ash Trees we pass I saw what to the naked eye looks just like a black lump stuck on the side of the branch. I couldn't see any detail until I tweaked the photo a bit. I assume it is a fungus of some sort but have no knowledge in that direction at all.
Now the puzzle:
As usual Squirrel Nutkins was grabbing as much as s/he could from the peanut feeder. When it spotted me it leapt on the fence top and started to race down the garden as usual. This time it stopped half way, came back, went down on the ground and then in a flower container. There it picked up one of the pebbles and made off with it. Now why would it take a pebble?
a) to smash open acorns
b) to sharpen its teeth
c) to throw at Bobby when he gets too close
:>)
or some other sensible reason?
I tried Google and Yahoo searches and the only mention I could find of Squirrels taking pebbles was on SQUIRRELWEB.
New one for me: 6.30 pm and on the lawn was a male Yellowhammer - such brilliant colours. Never seen one in the flesh before but it was unmistakable. As usual the camera had been put away and the bird didn't stay for long. Here's hoping it will visit again.
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Buds, Birds and a Body
Now I've got your attention I'll come clean. The body is made of metal and you attach lenses to it. It was time to try out the new camera body. Outdoor lighting at this time of year can be poor a lot of the time but I managed to catch the odd sunny moment.
The first thing which caught my eye was the beautiful red and yellow of the Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles) which starts to flower in March and last year continued right in to Summer.
Then the succulents which keep a bit of colour in the garden all year round as well as being drought tolerant and the first of my Grape Hyacinths to start opening.
Sempervivum , Muscari and an indoor pitcher plant
There were quite a few of my usual feathered visitors around including what is becoming a regular visit from Rooks and when they arrive bird food can vanish at an alarming rate.
There was the usual gathering of Starlings and a visit by one of the Blue Tits.
A female Blackbird obligingly posed on the fence for a few portraits.
As did this Chaffinch which sat for a while on the cables to my shed.
This was my favourite shot of the day. To me it looks as though the Chaffinch is asking, "Please may I take this Sunflower seed?"
Of course any camera session here has to include at least one shot of the hairy monster - Bobby. He was enjoying a brief few minutes of warm sunshine.
Also visiting was the usual furry monster in the shape of a Grey Squirrel. Lovely to watch their acrobatics as they leap from place to place at an amazing speed but a nuisance in the wrong place.
On the whole I was very pleased with some of the results of my practice session with my 'new body' (something I could really do with to get rid of some of the aches and pains). Brighter lighting conditions later in the year should give me better depth of field and practice at concentrating more on what is in the viewfinder should help also. The one thing I did notice was far less 'noise' in the out of focus backgrounds which makes the pictures look cleaner so I concluded that it was money well spent.
The first thing which caught my eye was the beautiful red and yellow of the Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles) which starts to flower in March and last year continued right in to Summer.
Then the succulents which keep a bit of colour in the garden all year round as well as being drought tolerant and the first of my Grape Hyacinths to start opening.
Sempervivum , Muscari and an indoor pitcher plant
There were quite a few of my usual feathered visitors around including what is becoming a regular visit from Rooks and when they arrive bird food can vanish at an alarming rate.
There was the usual gathering of Starlings and a visit by one of the Blue Tits.
A female Blackbird obligingly posed on the fence for a few portraits.
As did this Chaffinch which sat for a while on the cables to my shed.
This was my favourite shot of the day. To me it looks as though the Chaffinch is asking, "Please may I take this Sunflower seed?"
Of course any camera session here has to include at least one shot of the hairy monster - Bobby. He was enjoying a brief few minutes of warm sunshine.
Also visiting was the usual furry monster in the shape of a Grey Squirrel. Lovely to watch their acrobatics as they leap from place to place at an amazing speed but a nuisance in the wrong place.
On the whole I was very pleased with some of the results of my practice session with my 'new body' (something I could really do with to get rid of some of the aches and pains). Brighter lighting conditions later in the year should give me better depth of field and practice at concentrating more on what is in the viewfinder should help also. The one thing I did notice was far less 'noise' in the out of focus backgrounds which makes the pictures look cleaner so I concluded that it was money well spent.
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