Lichen on gravestones
Lichen is very slow growing. It helps that it often grows on stones with dates carved into them. It gives a different …
A rose in the river
There are occasional bunches of roses tied to shelters or to the river bank here. Someone loved must have been lost. Occasionally …
An Auk goak
I spent most of yesterday morning chuckling. There were even a few belly laughs and at one point I found it quite …
A bird I’m still trying to identify
I took this photograph of a bird on the west coast of Papa Westray in Orkney last summer. At first I thought …
Spectacular Buzzard mating display
For the last few days I’ve been walking from my home in South Devon to my local industrial estate to see the …
A Buzzards’ nest
Seeing a Buzzard land on a nest fills me with hope. There’s the possibility of the pitter-patter of tiny Buzzard feet this …
Pale
There’s a very pale Common Buzzard flying around me. Its breast and underwings are almost cream rather than dark brown. It makes …
Reeds at sunset
The light is golden as the Earth turns. Delicate tresses of last year’s reed seeds are flicked by the breeze. The water …
It’s inevitable
First come the Brown rats. Then come the even bigger, fatter Brown Rats. And then? Then come the babies. And the whole …
Carrion Carry On
I dare you. Look at this face. Go on. Look at it. And try to see it without it having human characteristics. …
Sweet threats
Why have humans evolved to find bird song beautiful when it’s full of threats and bad language? If I trace my ancestors …
Herring Gulls wheeling in the last rays of sun
Herring Gulls are one of my favourite sights. They’re the epitome of resourcefulness. It’s nearly sunset and there are a few circling …
Industrial estate blossom
Blossom is always welcome. Even when it’s next to the builders’ merchant on the local industrial estate.
When you’re finally happy with something
I tried to get some photographs of a Reed Bunting recently. I posted them a few weeks ago. I was very disappointed …
Otter or Notter?
I’m buried deep in reeds, with slightly damp feet from the oozing mud. I’m following the river bank to see where it …
Sticky buds
There’s a fabulous Horse-chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum, bud above me. It’s such a deep red colour. It looks like a moth chrysalis. Similar …
Long-Tailed Bushtits in blossom
The Long-Tailed Bushtits are still trailing in large caravans across the countryside, making desperate dashes between cover in family groups. Their contact …
After sticks comes mud
The Magpies have finished constructing their nest. Here’s one bringing in the twigs to construct the base. The roof was next. Now …
Dun
If you check out the details of the Dunnock you’ll see it described as “A small brown and grey bird”. That’s because …
Sheepstor frost
From the top of Sheepstor on Dartmoor there’s a wonderful view of long shadows and a frosted cattle field. Yes, I know …
Get off my land!
It sounds sweet, but it isn’t. This Robin is giving out a complex multi-level message to all-comers. Whenever you meet new people …
Shag in breeding plumage
Birds with crests always seem exotic, don’t they? As if they don’t belong. As if they should be in the Tropics somewhere. …
Plump Brown Rats
Someone’s put bird seed out on a stone next to the path. I’ve seen them do it. They don’t stay, they just …
When you’re not happy with something
Here are some photographs of a male Reed Bunting. I really dislike them. The photographs, that is, not Reed Buntings. The bird …
Chiff Chaff
There’s a small bird in the trees. It looks green in this light. It’s fluttering in exaggerated hunting trips as it launches …
Pictish Sea Eagle
It’s from the 6th or 7th Century. It’s carved in sandstone and was excavated by amateurs in 1936 from the ruins of …
Wild Daffodils
I’m walking through the industrial estate next to the River Teign again when I spot a patch of Wild Daffodils, Narcissus pseudonarcissus. …
Pick up sticks
The Magpies are busy. It’s spring and they’re toiling building a nest. Last year they built two nests, yet despite all the …
Diving Shag
There’s a Shag on the River Teign. It’s working its way upstream. I have to walk briskly to the next position I …
House Sparrows
House Sparrows are exotic. Just look at this male: They’re now so unusual that people often ask what they are, not knowing …