more photos

The next five photos are all of the beautiful Sika deer at Arne.

otter at Longleat

kingfisher at lower test nature reserve - I was delighted that after an hour or so of flitting about, he finally landed - just for a few seconds, right in front of the hide AND I had the tele converter len on the camera!
long tailed tit at lower test
one of two comical and friendly donkeys at cadmans pond - they kept mugging Mary for dog biscuits
chaffinch at cadmans pond

one of many piglets let out for pannage in the New Forest
Mum with her babies (I am always petrified seeing them wandering across the roads.

Tiger at Longleat Wolf at Longleat
Longleat lion

Catching up ~ again

It's been a long time again, I know and this will just be a quick update with a few pics. The robin is at a standstill for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I have been out and about so much, making the most of any decent weather. Second, the light in the room I draw in is so bad and I still haven't got myself a daylight lamp. My eyes are bad anyway so trying to draw without decent light is a big no no. I have had a few very special trips and will let the photos speak for themselves, except for saying that the few hours spent at Arne were truly magical. To be that close to the Sika deer was amazing, such a thrill.

The London Eye from Westminster Bridge

A cormorant on the Thames, right in the centre of London Tower Bridge
A red squirrel on Brownsea Island
Clouded Yellow butterfly on Brownsea Island

More pics in the next post.

I got tagged

Mary of Forest Walks tagged me with this series of birding questions.

1. What is the coolest bird you have seen from your home?
I once had a peahen walk up my driveway, peer in at the dogs then turn around and walk away again. Just this morning I saw a heron circling in the air before it came into land out of sight across the road.
2.If you compose lists of bird species seen, what is your favourite list and why?
I've just started making lists of the birds I see at various places. I was thrilled when I saw my first egret and even more so when a kingfisher landed in front of the hide I was in.
3.What sparked your interest in birds?
I've always loved wildlife but more animals than birds. My interest in birds has come to me rather late in life from my mother, fuelled recently by my passion for photography and art.
4. If you could only bird in one place for the rest of your life where would it be and why?
Living in the New Forest there is a huge diversity of birds and I am happy to be here watching birds and other wildlife.
5. Do you have a jinx bird? What is it and why is it jinxed?
No, I don't.
6 Who is your favourite birder? and why?
I don't know many but I enjoy watching Chris Packham, he is very enthusiastic about everything he sees.
7. Do you tell non-birders you are a birder?
I'm not really a birder, certainly not a twitcher. I just enjoy all kinds of nature and I do tell all my friends what I've seen. If they think I'm crazy then that's nothing new. LOL

I'm going to tag Jan of Down Yonder Green Valley.