Fence-sitter
I hate sharp fences. They’re there to make sure property is protected, but their defence often turns into attack when people tangle …
Recycling
There’s a pair of Jackdaws working diligently through the cardboard in the recycling boxes. You’re meant to leave your recycling out before …
Flight
This Woodpigeon made a fabulous shape as it flew quickly overhead. It’s a massive file and the level of detail in every …
One dog ball after another
Sit or stand at the edge of the river and something soon becomes clear. There are an awful lot of dogs missing …
Dippers: a bit of singing and dancing
I last saw Dippers in my home town over twenty years ago. I get the tip-off that they’re still here and decide …
I am calling
Carrion Crows are some of the most interesting birds to observe. I occasionally watch a man who walks across a local footbridge …
Patterns of life
I love the patterns in old wood. Whenever I’m out walking I’m looking for signs of nature and signs of growth, textures …
Jump-on-a-Pole
The Stonechat is named after its call; a sound like two stones being banged together. I’ve really enjoyed my time with them …
Recovery
Life has a habit of damaging you. People get bitter and angry and cynical as they get older. They just can’t help …
Domesticus
The chirping of flocks of House Sparrows is a joyous thing. They’re noisy, gregarious creatures and full of the joys of spring. …
On the trail
It’s a year since I bought a trail camera. It senses movement or heat and triggers still and video recording. It’s a …
Waterbed
Have you ever tried making love on a waterbed? Ask a swan what it’s like. Archimedes could have predicted the outcome; you …
Alert
Robins are either alert or they are no longer. Being alert is a life or death capability. This one has a straight-footed …
Lesser Spotted Wildlife
I’m out early in the woods to catch the wildlife before the other photographers and birdwatchers get here. Here is a bit …
Two thirsty Swallows make it Summer in Spring
It’s clearly thirsty work flying from Africa to the UK. I pop into the Devon Wildlife Trust Reserve at Bovey Heathfield for …
Can you see it?
I’m walking along the outskirts of my local industrial estate when a bird flies up from in front of me. It’s been …
A familiar sound
There’s a sound I know coming from the tree tops. I can’t see where it’s coming from. My directional hearing is awful. …
Buzzard drama on Dartmoor
I thought that last week’s Buzzard drama over my local industrial estate was it for me. After all, how much great Buzzard …
Lesser Spotted Birdwatcher
Hello and welcome to my blog, particularly for those who haven’t visited before. This Hall of Einar blog has been going for …
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 …
Lakes and deserts
There are two beautifully contrasting colours of Devonian sandstone in St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall in Orkney. Both are 380 million years …
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 …
The Hall of Einar Sunday Recommendation #34
The Beacon – Harbottle and Jonas
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 …