Birds - Chat Thread Weekly Competition 2nd November to 8th November 2015

[Oldboy]

I don't have a garden, only a roof terrace, where small birds normally don't come. (Except for gold finches when there is seed on some of the flowers.) Trying to attract birds 'out of the blue' on the Common, will probably not work. But don't worry, I've already got a picture that would 'do.'

That nature reserve you go to, try holding some seed in your outstretched hand, then call them. 

You mean 'my' country park? But I'm there to work!

I have seen photos of robins eating out of someone's hand, but I'd never manage to photograph that. Besides, we're not supposed to feed wild birds.

But I may still invest in some birdseed, and try the garden downstairs. There probably are small birds there, but as I live on the top (fourth) floor, I don't see them.

RSPB want people to feed wild-birds in Winter. What most parks don't want is bread put down for the ducks as it attracts Rats. 

[SimonW]

By all means feed local wild birds and enjoy the entertainment. But don't overdo it. You can provide supplements but you must not fill their total daily needs or make them dependent on you. They need to continue to search out food elsewhere so that they get enough variety and don't starve when you go on holiday.

[Reinardina]

I'm no expert, but I think garden birds probably need more in the way of extra feed, than birds that live totally 'in the wild,' where weeds are allowed to run to seed, and plants and trees are not 'cut to size.'

[Oldboy]

I'm no expert, but I think garden birds probably need more in the way of extra feed, than birds that live totally 'in the wild,' where weeds are allowed to run to seed, and plants and trees are not 'cut to size.'

Garden birds go wild when you don't put the seed out. 

[Reinardina]

After my first foray to shoot birds, I did not manage to get near one again. So I'll have to choose one of my earlier shots.

Is anyone else antering?

[Reinardina]

Right at the beginning, I said I'd have to aim for a sitting duck. Well, I didn't, but it isn't far off!

A nice, good size bird that does not fly, or hop about too much, is about all I can cope with.

So here is my Flirtatious Swan.



I hope there will be a lot more entries!

[Hinfrance]

I've had absolutely no luck with this topic at all. I don't have a long telephoto lens or a bridge camera so it was always going to have to be something very close, or maybe a flock of birds. As it has been wonderfully warm here this week (got to love an El Nino year) the migratory birds have not been gathering photogenically on the wires. Even the flocks of pigeons that inhabit the semi derelict church in the nearby village have been diligent in their shyness.

I reckon to stand a better chance with the next challenge though . . .

[jinky]

We actually had 2 birds in the garden today. Tiny little ones that were so fast ( no doubt due to our cat) that I didn`t  even get the camera to my hand! Might be out for some more sedentary ones later if it brightens up. My vision of a swan in the sunset is  a non starter with this dull weather.

[Reinardina]

This is one of the (high key) shots I came home with last weekend. Decided against it, as it reminded me too much of Georgian wall paper.



This is what the wall paper might have looked like:

[Reinardina]

I assume everyone is waiting till the last minute, before posting their entries?

I think we ought to suspend the competitions for a while. At least till the new year.

[jinky]

Nope - weather stayed wet and windy so nothing from me. I saw a wood pigeon this morning - first one in our garden for over a week and there are two pairs usually. Where are they all?

[Reinardina]

Nope - weather stayed wet and windy so nothing from me. I saw a wood pigeon this morning - first one in our garden for over a week and there are two pairs usually. Where are they all?

Apart from your cat, you may have birds of prey or foxes.

[jinky]

Nope - weather stayed wet and windy so nothing from me. I saw a wood pigeon this morning - first one in our garden for over a week and there are two pairs usually. Where are they all?

Apart from your cat, you may have birds of prey or foxes.

Yes there`s my cat and the odd urban fox but we`ve always had those and a few varieties of birds - finches, magpies, wood pigeons, robins etc have always been around. We feed them using a platform on top of a high fence post - but this last week or so just one wood pigeon! Seems they don`t like it misty and damp.

[Beaux Reflets]

Cropped shot grabbed in overcast evening light and not edited in time. Needs a burn here and there

[Reinardina]

Why don't you just enter it?

I know it's against the rules, but rules are there to be broken, especially in dire times like these.
And the poll isn't up yet.