Nature pics

[Piltdownpaul]

Wow that looks dramatic. Nice photo.

 

[skomedal]

They were and the resulting lightning storm crashed the leccy for 6 hours, good job my petrol driven generator still works.

 

[Piltdownpaul]

We just dont get serious storms here where i am, maybe its because i'm near the centre of England and not near coasts,who knows.

 

[Archived-1]

A Golden Oriole has been spotted very close to my home, I might have a run out later and see if I can get a glimpse of it,

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1189642

 

[rolfw]

They're easier to hear than spot, I've seen a few over at my sister's place in France, but never got a decent photo, I always hear them in a large wood near to her though.

 

[Archived-1]

I never got down today, I will try and get tomorrow, ive been listening to there call on youtube to give me an helping hand :-).

a couple of doves eating the niger seeds today :-).

 

[rolfw]

You won't miss the call, it's so haunting, their warning call is not unlike a Jay, have added the two pathetic shots I did get a couple of years back.

 

[Archived-1]

You won't miss the call, it's so haunting, their warning call is not unlike a Jay, have added the two pathetic shots I did get a couple of years back.

I would still be happy with those pictures rolfw thanks for posting them up,

 

[rolfw]

Here's my recording from that visit http://www.thamesvalleybirds.co.uk/offsite/golden_oriole.mp3

 

[Lazarus]

Excellent.

The only time I've come across them was in the wilds of north-west Catalunya, close to the border with Aragon.

 

[Archived-1]

most of the area where it was spotted is private, its only about a 5 min drive from my home, that's a lovely distinctive call to listen for.

 

[Lazarus]

Here's one of our pair of Spotted Flycatchers

 

[hairybadger]

snake in our garden - maybe about 50cm long. I *think* it's a smooth snake (coronelle lisse), although it's hard to tell from this photo.

 

[Lazarus]

snake in our garden - maybe about 50cm long. I *think* it's a smooth snake (coronelle lisse), although it's hard to tell from this photo.

Is it just me, or is it an invisible snake?

 

[sonnetpete]

snake in our garden - maybe about 50cm long. I *think* it's a smooth snake (coronelle lisse), although it's hard to tell from this photo.

I'd venture to say even David Attenbrough couldn't identify it from the evidence we have thus far....

 

[hairybadger]

I'd venture to say even David Attenbrough couldn't identify it from the evidence we have thus far....

maybe he'll have more luck once I've remembered to click the "attach this file" button

 

[sonnetpete]

Not a slow worm is it?.......we have lots here and grass snakes but nothing much else in the way of snakes

 

[hairybadger]

Not a slow worm is it?.......we have lots here and grass snakes but nothing much else in the way of snakes

Ah, I didn't know about them... but I don't think so. The markings resembled more

hxxp://www.planetepassion.eu/snakes-in-france/Smooth-snake-France.html

There were small blackish diamonds on its back, regularly spaced in lines going all the way down.

It was a bit difficult to concentrate on getting a good photo because my wife was yelling at me to kill it (despite being a local she's convinced that all snakes in France are vipers). It was moving pretty slowly though - it didn't seem too concerned despite the screaming. It's head was already down a hole by the time I managed to take the shot.

 

[Lazarus]

Definitely not a Slow Worm: Far too long; Wrong colour; Wrong shape.

We have slow worms around here (Protected Species) and they are no more than 20cm max, coppery brown in colour and with no obvious tail.

 

[sonnetpete]

Slightly OT but had a friend round for dinner last night and she said she'd spotted a hoopoe on my drive. I'm not a twitcher at all, so is this a rare spot? I'll be keeping an eye out anyway and will keep the camera handy.