Tag Archives: nature

Apr 24 2021
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Daily Post, Flora/Fauna

The latest robin

Saturday 24th April 2021, 2.10pm (day 3,530)

Robin, 24/4/21

Three minutes after I had dug over the garden a little and this robin perches not six feet from me and virtually demands that I capture its close-ups. Seeing as this is taken in pretty much the same spot as the picture of the last robin to grace this blog, only 22 days ago, it might be the same one — either way, it is the latest example of how this particular species really has learned to not be in the least bit bothered about us humans. Perhaps it, too, is slightly annoyed by the presence of the white plastic tie, but what the hell.

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Apr 24 2021
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Daily Post, Flora/Fauna

Ladybird love

Friday 23rd April 2021, 1.10pm (day 3,529)

Ladybird love, 23/4/21

Lately most of the ‘likes’ on this blog have come from bots — can I just say hello to the five or six different accounts, all with the same profile picture, who have supported my efforts lately? Clearly I need to spice up this photo-feed a little, so here’s two beetles getting it on in the springtime. So attached (in both senses) were they that they remained entwined even after I manouevred them up onto my finger, in order to avoid squashing them when sitting down on the bench (at university) on which their amorous activities were occurring. I hope they and their babies are now grateful for this consideration.

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Apr 13 2021
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Daily Post, Flora/Fauna

The rooks know

Monday 12th April 2021, 9.25am (day 3,518)

Knowing rook, 12/4/21

Plenty of work to do after Easter, which today meant another day locked in the house with limited photographic opportunities. The knowing look on the face of this rook was the best I managed, and even then it’s somewhat out of focus. But then again, that also epitomises the day.

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Apr 12 2021
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Daily Post, Flora/Fauna

A few minutes old

Sunday 11th April 2021, 3.55pm (day 3,517)

Very new lamb, 11/4/21

I don’t know who or what has been the oldest living creature to feature on the blog: there has been one confirmed nonagenarian (Clare’s gran) but more likely it’s some tree somewhere or other. But I can now declare this lamb to be the youngest. If this had been born much before 3.50pm today I would be surprised. The caul is still very obvious and being cleaned off by the mother ewe. It’s eyes are open, and it was beginning to move. Quite a sight in fact.

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Apr 02 2021
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Daily Post, Flora/Fauna

Eager robin

Friday 2nd April 2021, 3.05pm (day 3,508)

Robin on compost, 2/4/21

Robins succeed because they’ve commandeered the ecological niche entitled ‘we really don’t give a shit about those human creatures’. We turned over a pile of compost on the allotment and this fearless chap was picking it over before we’d moved five feet back. He got the best pickings — woodlice, centipedes, worms — everything else was just in his wake. Birds! Ignore the humans! Be the robin! You’ll not regret it.

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Mar 31 2021
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Daily Post, Flora/Fauna

Feeling relaxed

Wednesday 31st March 2021, 11.50am (day 3,506)

Sheep relaxing, 31/3/21

Anyone in Britain will tell you that the weather over the last two days has been extremely pleasant. I’m off work for a while, too. I think the relaxed appearance of these lambs is something I can identify with. Mum? Well, she’s just knackered.

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Mar 13 2021
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Daily Post, Flora/Fauna

Mr and Mrs Duck

Saturday 13th March 2021, 3.20pm (day 3,488)

Duck couple. 13/3/21

“Lately, the humans have been conspicuous by their absence, don’t you think dear?”

“Indeed. There’s this bloke with the long hair who often hangs out by the riverside. But I think he’s harmless.”

“I agree. That’s why we let him take these close-ups.”

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Mar 11 2021
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Daily Post, Flora/Fauna

Owl fail

Wednesday 10th March 2021, 1.40pm (day 3,485)

Owl fail, 10/3/21

This is not the first time that I have photographed evidence that the fake owls that stand on some of the buildings in Hebden Bridge fail to deter the pigeons in any way. But it is the first time I have caught one with a pigeon actually sat on its head. The humiliation is complete.

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Mar 08 2021
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Daily Post, Flora/Fauna, Landscape

Birds on Hollingworth Lake

Sunday 7th March 2021, 9.35am (day 3,482)

Birds on Hollingworth Lake, 7/3/21

Hollingworth Lake is a reservoir, and for 200 years has also been a sort of strange, inland beach resort, where thousands of people once flocked on weekends — something that can still seem as if it’s the case. Even at 9.35 on a Sunday, early morning sunshine had brought lots of people out today, including me (because it’s healthy). The birdlife didn’t really care however. They watch us, just as we watch them, I am sure.

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Mar 06 2021
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Daily Post, Flora/Fauna

The hunter and the prey

Friday 5th March 2021, 7.55am (day 3,480)

Hawk with prey, 5/3/21

Walking down to the station in the morning I noticed a commotion by the side of the road, heard desperate cawing. I thought at first it was a bird with a broken wing, flapping around, maybe having been hit by a car. Then I saw what it actually was. It will be forever regretted that the focus ended up on the wall and not the hawk; I only got the one shot off before it picked up the starling (I think) in its talons and flew off to enjoy its breakfast. But other than that slight lack of focus I can’t complain too much about this one. Surely there is a detectable look of pride on its face. I am also reminded of this picture: which William Blake/Thomas Harris fans will recognise.

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