All Sorts

Highlights of the last week or so include a range of both birds and mammals. I’ve been privileged to see two kinds of owls, some colourful smaller birds, hares, deer and a rare one for me, a beautiful red fox! Then a walk around the ponds revealed that the swans nesting there so far have eight wee cygnets. But with foxes and other predators around, who knows how many will actually survive. Here are the best photos from the last couple of weeks.

I was sitting watching TV (possible Springwatch! ) when I glimpsed a brown dog like creature with a brush for a tail trotting by across the road. “FOX!” I exclaimed, then I grabbed my camera and padded up the pavement after it. Foxes are a common sight closer in to Glasgow but I rarely ever see one here, ironically as I’m right on the edge of the countryside. It was as curious about me as I was about it.

So I now fear that these beautiful wee cygnets may get picked off one by one. Particularly because their nest is so vulnerable. But then a fox family may have cubs needing fed …

I also saw these pink footed geese on the pond with one chick. I am sure they will have started with more than one.

I recently walked along the river Kelvin looking unsuccessfully for goosander chicks. However, there were beautiful goldfinches and yellowhammers adding splashes of colour to the green trees and bushes.

A mallard was dozing on a rock in the middle of the river. I sometimes take these common ducks for granted which I shouldn’t as they are so striking with their heads like dazzling emerald jewels.

I came across this lovely young deer in amongst the long grasses and thistles.

Then the camera was nearly going back in the bag when I came face to face with a hare in in a field full of buttercups. We both froze, stopped and stared but as soon as I raised my big lens it scampered.

Finally I’ve been lucky to see both tawny and barn owls. For the first time ever I caught sight of a barn owl sitting looking for prey from a post. Then I was treated to views of it quartering a field and bringing in voles to its chicks in the barn owl box.

Unfortunately the light was too poor and my photographing skills inadequate to get a decent “in flight” photo. One of these days ..

Finally I still occasionally see a tawny owl in the wood. This one was almost completely hidden from view. They are getting harder and harder to find, and perhaps the young ones will have dispersed by now.