Egypt4u

That looks really nice Grandad

I like to up the Softness slider in Photomatix, to me it seems to blend all the colours better especially in my sunset photos where there is a lot of Orange, Red & Yellow colours

I haven't been out & about for photos yet but, I still think it's a lot to do which kind/subject photo you take for the HDR to look right

Your area definitely captures a fall scene. Nice one! Hopefully tomorrow you'll find some birds.

Well I did go to the other end of the reserve early this afternoon when there was a short break in the cloudy gloom.
But still no birds, just some cormorants in the distance and the occasional marsh harrier flying over and causing all the ducks to take flight. Another man in the hide (with a lens as long as your arm) said that as the weather had been so mild, the migrants had not yet arrived and would not come south until it gets colder in the north. I suppose I must wait for Kiya to tell us how cold it is up her way and then visit the hide again.

Just to show the absence of birds this is the view from the Reedbed Hide.


Edit: Glad you like the picture Kiya and I know you like your B & W so here is that picture converted

Grandad thats lovely pity you didn't have any birds

As far as I know today has been 8 degrees, it will be much colder in the evening, last night Mon was 5- , certainly time to get out the winter woolies

@ Grandad - In your latest photos I like the colour one better. Has more appeal to me.

the migrants had not yet arrived and would not come south until it gets colder in the north.

This is cause we're still giving 'em Starbucks and making life quite comfy for them here!

Actually due to the constant feeding of some of the geese in the different parks they have now decided not to migrate. Life is good so why not stay?

There is a bit of a hue and cry amongst the Environmentalists and Animal Wildlife people to STOP feeding the birds but nobody seems to be listening. I have observed that more and more birds do now seem to be stopping and setting up residence. Not sure how this will affect or have any impact on the populations in the long run.

Back to me being a 'twitcher' or not? It is only in the last few years that I have begun to appreciate what wonderful creatures are birds. This time of year, if you are lucky, you may see the wonderful aerial display of starlings. Murmuration to give it its 'birdy' description.

There are many appearing on the net but I picked these three yesterday because I think they are stunning. I believe the first is of a flock in Somerset and the other two were taken late afternoon yesterday near Gretna Green. Spectacular

Fabulous pictures Grandad, I was getting quite envious thinking you had taken them, they are truly a spectacular sight. Another one to see is the massive flocks of Quelea that can be seen in Africa, probably the most numerous bird in the world.

Yeahhhhhh!! I can see pictures again

Grandad your pictures are fab display

Kiya wrote:Grandad your pictures are fab display

Just wish they WERE mine Kiya. I have seen these displays and know where I might see it even today.........but it is too cold to go to the local reserve late afternoon.

Pretty fab photos Grandad. Since you became interested in birds you've kindled this interested in me too. My backyard is 'sort of' finished and it is designed to attract birds so I can sit in my chair out back and take photos. I've got a bird feeder station on a post, got hummingbird feeders to go out, got feeders to hang (once I get the actual hangers out there) - am set to be photographing them feeding and in flight. Am not sure this spring summer I'll have sufficient plant growth to attract them but by next year I should be completely set.

I can remember seeing big flocks of starlings back east. They can definitely black spot the sky! Really interesting pictures Grandad!

I heard somewhere that in winter time wild birds will in fact use nesting boxes as a refuge in bad weather.

I just cleaned a reburbed mine with clean nest material and will now wait and see if any of the summer chicks remember where there home is.

I remember seeing an article about this and if I remember correctly they were Wrens and it was a picture showing a huge amount, something like 25 all together overnight in the one box!

You may well be correct H. Haven't seen any wrens around here but if the bluetits and greatits are looking for shelter it is there for the taking.

I've never heard of this but makes good sense to me.