Pairs in the Garden

Yesterday (Friday) a good day for spotting pairs – Snowdrops and Robins that is.

This pair of Snowdrops were just ready for photographing:

Pair of Snowdrops from ground level.

Close-up of pair of Snowdrops

I nearly strained my neck and back to get these images, but I think it was worth it.

My second pair began when this Robin appeared on the feeder tray:

Single Robin and Feeder Tray

But as I watched him this little fellow appeared:

Pair of Robins on Feeder Tray. Dad and Son?

I was surprised to see the little fellow. Dad must be showing him the feeding and watering ‘holes’. Maybe this is why the Robin has been a bit shy of late.

My single shot of the day was this Chaffinch:

Chaffinch in tree

The warmer weather has made our garden into a busy place.
I am trying to obtain images of birds in a more natural environment – in trees etc. – rather than on the feeders.
Not as easy as it sounds but I will try although it will mean more hours spent sitting in the garden watching the world of birds go by.

It’s a hard life – but some-one has to do it!

Venus and the Moon

Yesterday (Friday) saw Venus and the Moon in close proximity to each other.

The Moon and Venus in close proximity

This is a not too frequent occurrence as it was an opportunity to see Venus during daylight and a thin slither of a waxing new moon.

This shot was taken though as was getting dark.

Squash Bug and Crocuses

I found this little bug – a Squash Bug – I believe it to be (but, as always, I am open to correction) yesterday.

Squash Bug on door knob

Squash Bug - front view

I had seen them during the summer.

Leaf green 'Squash Bugs' on Honeysuckle leaf

It seems to have survived the winter but I was surprised to see it ‘up and about’ when the weather is still cold.

These little Crocuses are putting on a good show:

Yellow Crocuses

Yellow Crocuses from ground level

I do like to get right down low to photograph them. I am considering buying a close-up lens (machro) to enable me to get, well, close-up.

Till then I can only get so close before they go all blurred (I only have to take my glasses off at the moment to achieve that effect!).

That ‘eye-to-eye ball with a fly’ photograph will have to wait till then.

The Squirrel Who Is Spoiled For Choice

Cyril (our Squirrel) has survived the really cold spell. We didn’t get the snow like other parts of the country so he has been able to keep active.

I took this series of images last Friday.

He really is spoiled for choice.

We enjoy having him around the garden even though I have to top up the bird feed once he has eaten his full!

Long may he continue treating our garden as his dining room.

Ramsgate Sunset

A glorious sunset in Ramsgate this evening.

Sunset over Ramsgate on Saturday 21st Feb 2009

A spring-like day (see previous post) was followed by a spectacular sunset.
What more could one ask for.

Ramsgate Harbour on a Spring Morning

Ramsgate Harbour, Saturday 21st Feb. 2009

It really was a Spring morning in Ramsgate today. The sun had a bit of warmth to it, so much so that Mae and I sat outside one of the Seafront Cafes that line Harbour Parade and had a cup of coffee.

I also took these Photos in Ramsgate.

Flower Seller, Market Square, Ramsgate. Saturday 21st Feb. 2009

Horse and Groom Public House, Charlotte Court, Ramsgate. Saturday 21st Feb. 2009

Ramsgate Library opened recently after a fire destroyed everything but the shell. (Follow this link to see the full story).
A magnificent job has been done in restoring it while keeping the facade intact.

The recently restored Ramsgate Library, Saturday 21st Feb. 2009

The interior is modern, light and airy. I think we will be renewing our Library tickets and visiting it more often in the future.

A pleasant morning.

The Twiddle-Dee-Dees

Recently a friend suggested starting an Irish Ceilidh Band or (Irish reformed spelling) ‘ceili’. Pronounced, as I understand it – Kaylee. But please correct me if I am wrong.

Tim, the groups founder, plays the bodhrán

Bodhran Irish Drum

We have a Fiddler, a mandolin and other instrument player and a singer. I play the whistle:

My 'Low D Whistle

This one of my favourite whistles as it has a lovely deep sound. I have various High-D whistles and play jigs, slip jigs, reels and airs.

We have only met as a group once but I understand that bookings are already being suggested!

And the title of this post?
I reminded Mae last Friday that I was off to practice with the band. “Oh” She said “You’re off Twiddle-dee-dee-ing”
I mentioned this to Tim and he thought it was a good name for the band, (He is American!!) but I think a more serious name will be selected.

Watch this space – a Ceilidh band may be coming your way!

Is this the First Sign of Spring?

What a lovely sunny morning in Ramsgate. Still a bit of chill in the air though but the garden is gradually coming to life.

Snowdrop with a little Spider on stem

Other flowers seem to have appeared overnight (probably just the weekend though!).

Crocus

Crocus showing stamens

This is a lovely shrub with lots of pretty flowers in clusters. I don’t know it’s name, Mae says the florists use it. Not a lot of help in naming it!

Flowering Shrub

I don’t know what this little flower is called either. I think you have gathered by now that I am not much of a botanist.

Flower unknown

It is good to get out into the garden again.

Snow! What Snow?

While the rest of the country appears to be in the grip of the worst winter since 1992 (?) we in Thanet seem to have missed it all.

This was the scene in our garden yesterday (Monday).

The image shows of the blackbird shows the ‘depth’ of the snow in our back garden. Not a lot!

I took the second image this morning (Tuesday) at 8.30am. This was the scene on our estate. Not a white bit of snow in sight.

I had my camera set up for an excursion round the estate and beyond hoping to get that picture that captures the scene. Not much luck this time.

Maybe next time. Next year?

Astronomy Workshop Day

Saturday saw me at a ‘Back to Basics’ Workshop at Canterbury University. It was run by the British Astronomy Association and the hosts were South East Kent Astronomy Society – to which I belong but I went as a participant in the workshops. The day was about learning how to set up a telescope and how and what to observe in the night sky.

There were telescopes on display owned by members of SEKAS;

A large Telescope on display

The Telescope of my dreams was this though;

A very, very nice Telescope

We had the opportunity to do some ‘solar’ observing.

Solar Observing Session

I found out what I was doing wrong in setting up my Telescope and also what I thought I was doing wrong but was actually doing right!

Lots of questions were asked and information given about the care of equipment and setting it up for a night’s observing.

I asked “How do you clean the eye-pieces?” expecting a long explanation of specialized cleaning fluid and cloths etc. “Huff and a freshly laundered handkerchief” came the reply!

A good day.

I am now going to branch into Solar Observing as it is something one can do during the day (I know, pointless at night but you get my meaning).
I have ordered a special filter that goes in front of the telescope – NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN WITHOUT PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

An image of a sun spot is one of my next objectives.