Capturing the elusive nature of frogs in a photograph can indeed be a
challenge. Their vibrant presence adds to the neighborhood's charm, even
if their quick movements make them a bit camera-shy. Wishing you more
lucky moments to photograph these delightful creatures by your pond.
I totally understand @CatDouch - they become part of your own family don't they? You should have seen what I was like when Dave [the wood pigeon] suddenly stopped visiting.... Maybe too late for them, as you say. I had blue tits nesting last year, and it was clear that something was wrong, despite the parents constantly going back and forth with food, exhausting themselves. It was @Dovefromabove that mentioned one day that if they can't get enough moisture, that's hopeless, no matter how much food they get, and it struck me that that was probably the reason for them failing. There may not have been enough insects for them to get moisture from. I cleaned the nest out later on in autumn, and to put one of those little plates round the hole [bloody squirrels ] and it was heartbreaking to see the tiny little chicks.
Those are such strange looking birds @CrankyYankee. Interesting that one has 3 chicks and one has 7. I wonder why that happens? I've had a pair of those in once or twice @plant pauper, but it was difficult to see exactly whether they were willow warblers or not. There's a couple of birds that are similar, but I reckoned that's what they were. A single one was in recently too.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl in a word, predators. Turkey hens will hatch a dozen or so chicks, and are lucky to rear a two or three to adulthood. Coyotes, fox, bobcats, weasels, fishers, owls, hawks, and automobiles wipe out a lot of chicks. You'd think that would make them sparse but they are almost an infestation at this point. It's nothing to see flocks of twenty or more during the winter and spring. Even though they can glide impressive distances and fly short ones, they prefer to walk. Especially across roads, during peak traffic, single file.
This was along the yard of my previous home.
New England, USA
Metacomet soil with hints of Woodbridge and Pillsbury
We've had a mixed year for swallows this year. We have about 6 nests around the place. The three longest established nests fledged 12 chicks between them quite early in the summer, but one of the new nests was destroyed by one of the neighbour's cats. There seemed to be a pause then, when it was particularly cold - not sure if the eggs failed or the chicks died, but we didn't see any more fledglings until this past week and there seem to be at least two more broods just fledging now - I think 9 or 10 chicks. there do seem to have been a lot of swallows this year. I was sitting drinking my tea yesterday and there were clouds of them swooping around.
On another subject I saw a moth on the bridleway that I've not noticed before. I think it was a Jersey Tiger - not uncommon but rather splendid
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Yesterday I was watching a squirrel run along the fence, thinking it how cute it was. It stopped, looked me in the eye then leapt onto the green gage tree throwing some on the ground before running off with one in its' mouth. Caught it at it again this morning and again this evening!
Posts
You should have seen what I was like when Dave [the wood pigeon] suddenly stopped visiting....
Maybe too late for them, as you say. I had blue tits nesting last year, and it was clear that something was wrong, despite the parents constantly going back and forth with food, exhausting themselves. It was @Dovefromabove that mentioned one day that if they can't get enough moisture, that's hopeless, no matter how much food they get, and it struck me that that was probably the reason for them failing. There may not have been enough insects for them to get moisture from. I cleaned the nest out later on in autumn, and to put one of those little plates round the hole [bloody squirrels
Those are such strange looking birds @CrankyYankee. Interesting that one has 3 chicks and one has 7. I wonder why that happens?
I've had a pair of those in once or twice @plant pauper, but it was difficult to see exactly whether they were willow warblers or not. There's a couple of birds that are similar, but I reckoned that's what they were. A single one was in recently too.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
On another subject I saw a moth on the bridleway that I've not noticed before. I think it was a Jersey Tiger - not uncommon but rather splendid
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Little f****r.
@diggersjo Technically yes but still cute.
Thanks for cheering me up @februarysgirl