Young Robin - taken 2009 in back garden - Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

WEEKLY TWEET

When was the last time you actually watched wildlife in your back garden?

Today? Last week? Can't remember? In today's modern world, we are finding it increasingly difficult to relax and take time out from work or family. This blog is to remind you all of the free entertainment that we can enjoy each and every day - WILDLIFE!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

New Bird, New Camera, New Treat!

I'll start with the new treat - I ordered a suet ring which I thought would go down a treat with the garden birds, especially given the cold weather.

The description of it says "Formulated from fats, bound with peanut flour and seeds and finished with a generous coating of dried fruits and mixed seeds - approximate weight 1.4kg"
Hmmm, sounds tasty, doesn't it?!

I didn't realise how big it was going to be!
I've hung it from one end of the bird pole we have and it's slowly bending the metal thread!
To give you an idea of the size, below is a photo of it next to my mobile phone, the mobile is one of the bog standard Nokia, not titchy or anything, just normal size!


So far, the Coal Tits, Blue Tits and Robins have all sampled it, there is a slight bare patch to the top where the sunflower seeds have been pecked off.
The Grey Squirrels sniffed at it then decided it wasn't for them! (we now have 2 Greys that come down every day!)
After putting the new treat up, I literally came straight back inside & grabbed my camera as the birds were all waiting in the wings for me to disappear!


The Siskin is coming down most days now which I'm really happy about - we have 2 females visit us, I haven't seen a male with them.
However, this morning another bird came down with one of the females.

Which brings me on to the new camera.....I now have a Nikon P90 which "apparently" is better than my old Fuji, so I've been trying it out. I know I need to get used to the camera and all the different settings (there's so many!) but at the moment its just not "doing it for me"!

Below are some shots taken with the new camera including the new bird which I think is a Linnet (or a Redpoll?), please feel free to advise me which it is!


Either one is fine by me as I've never seen either so that's my new species for this month!


I did manage to take a couple of okay shots with the Nikon - I suppose I just need to get used to it a bit more.



I actually sat watching the rat on Saturday for a full hour - it came out straight after I put food down and munched its way through suet pellets, seed, nuts, apple & cheese.

It also had company for a while! This photo was taken on my old camera (through dirty windows, I'm afraid!)

10 comments:

Warren Baker said...

Sharon thats one mega treat. :-)
and so is that LESSER REDPOLL Nice bird to have on the feeders, well done!

Cheryl said...

Gosh that is some suet ring.....I have never seen one that big. I wonder how long it will last.

The photographs are great. It took me a long time to get used to my new camera...I love it now and am sure you will to.

Love those LTT.

Phil Slade said...

Sharon, I'm impressed you have got a redpoll on your feeder, yet to happen in my garden. Good luck with the camera

Jenny said...

WOW! That's a treat and a half! I've never seen anything like that. I'm envious of your Lesser Redpoll, that is a great garden tick! Keep going with the new camera. That's the beauty of digital, you can try all sorts of things to practice and then just delete what doesn't work! Have fun! (-:

ShySongbird said...

Good grief! You could put that in the car boot as a spare tyre!

You sure do get some great visitors to your feeders. Lovely photos too, it looks like you are already getting used to the camera.

Phil Sharp said...

Hi Sharon. Good luck with the camera, I'm just about to buy myself a new one and I know it will not be easy. But like yourself will get there in the end. As for the new treat.........the birds will love it when they get used to it.

Chris said...

Wow you are getting quite an equipment! Guess that your feeders are working well, quite hard to get redpoll around them usually...

Yoke, said...

Great treat for the birds and for you.
New camera; how exciting..

Had a Redpoll last year, here in the garden, and saw one last month in a garden in Bantry.

Lovely photos.

Anonymous said...

great you got a new camera - bummer you're not happy with it - that;s disappointing.
Did you mean you got a Nikon D90 or P90?
Also - are you just using the kit lens? 18-55mm?

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