Poor, But the Best So Far

Had to stop and watch a while when I saw two Swallows flying around as we went walkabout mid-morning today. Fortunately they eventually settled on an old outhouse which is being converted though quite a distance away even on full zoom:



a cropped version:

 

Disappointing clarity though probably the best I've managed to date with Swallow photography.

Red-tailed Bumblebee

Bombus lapidarius, probably a queen, just outside the back door this morning:







Quite lethargic as it was still fairly cool outside.

Wordless Wednesday

Phalaenopsis

Cymbidium

Manby Church

As our Post Ofice was closed years ago and the remaining village shop is closed for about three months while extensive alterations are made I had to go to the next village to do a bit of shopping. As it was beautifully sunny, though with a bitter wind, I decided to take a look round the outside of their church.

The tower from the west end:


and from the north side:


A closer view of the entrance porch:


Around the top of the tower are the inevitable gargoyles:






A close view of one of the spire pinnacles which stand atop each corner of the tower:
 

Taking photos with a camera with a decent power of zoom lens is one of few ways to get a decent view of intricate carvings which are so high up.

A few of the grave markers:






Don't often see any this shape.
Difficult to tell from the photo that both taper along their length:


Another day I must have a look round inside.

Inside the Can

Have tried a few times to photograph the Robin nest inside the discarded watering can.
The best so far, best being a relative term .....



A crop from that photo showing three nestlings:

Watering Can Robins

I have been spending many a happy time watching the Robin couple taking food to the brood they are raising in an abandoned watering can in the garden.











It is quite astounding just how frequently the parents are arriving with food for the youngsters. They are going to be thoroughly shattered by the time they fledge.

The collage was put together using the Mac app PhotoTangler which blends the edges of adjacent photos.

Blackbird Singing

I don't care how much the wind blows I'm going to sing: