4am Thoughts

Waking up with the sound of the little Robin outside the bedroom window, silver birch stood like soldiers no movement. Silent no wind or rain, peace fills the body and mind, a smile starts to make shape on the mans face as he realises what he has, thankful for the wonderful life that he lives. He sits looking out of the window his mind calm like a lake no ripple can be seen, his heart beats like the old bike he had slow but in time. The day is about to begin again another day, one that will be another achievement, to look after his flock the best he can, to make them safe and happy as he is, there needs come first and knowing this makes him happy to continue his day.

Will he rescue another Baby Lamb that is crying for its mum stood feet away and no body to help, it bothers him but freeing it gives him so much joy to see it run and head butt mum under her belly as it craves for her milk. Lifting the little baby bird from the road into the grass, filling the feeders first thing, he sits down with his beautiful Bella and gazes out at the Stunning male Bullfinch as it comes first for sunflower for its young that sing close by. Joined by baby Goldfinch, young Tree Sparrow and Greenfinch.

Bella sits on his shoulder and gently nudges his mouth, the communication between bird and man tells him Bella wants a drink so they walk to the get a drink, bows her head and drinks looking up after she drinks just like all birds do looking for danger, after 3 sips of water Bella looks at her Dad and says “Thanks Dad”. The bond is one only he knows his teaching and knowledge passed to his 3 year old Congo African Grey Parrot. He understands her body language her feather display, her Pupil size, her posture all telling him what mood she is in.

Keeping his flock happy daily is his goal one he has to tend to carefully with love and kindness that always comes first. He can now make a Wooden Owl for his friends or pick the camera up and find some wonderful wildlife to film, pass his knowledge of photography on to his mate. He will run out of time 5am to 2100hrs is not enough in Blackie’s world, but the light will fade eventually and he will lay down knowing his flock is happy and he filled his day with all things he loves in this wonderful life he lives.

I am so grateful for what i have.

Blackie

Waiting for the Owl

I made boxes for the birds in Goodenbergh Country Park and 3 years ago I made a Barn Owl nest box and placed it in a tree near to my wildlife hide.

The Jacdaw Squirrels and Stock Doves usually get in the box first but I got a really nice surprise when I was just sitting in the Deer hide. The sight of a Tawney Owl flying headfirst at the box and carrying a mouse in for what looks like young.

I can’t wait to see if the family are successful and rear a family for the good of the site. I have only seen your Owls about 5 years ago. Keeping very quiet I sat and watched the male come out of the box and sit there for a good 10 min then it flew into a tree next to me just out of sight.

Wood Carving

Got myself some new wood but a can’t remember if the person said just a small Owl Carving.

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The Wildlife Photographer

You get up early, 5.30 your out on the road hoping a bird or animal will make your day. The Pied Wagtail with its Tail never stopping. Yes it’s a small bird like the Grey Wagtail, and just as nice with great black and grey plumage. This one was collecting materials for her nest. And as I drove past it let me get close to it.

Pied Wagtail

Just as I put my camera down to drive I looked across to my left and a male Phesant stood proud on a grassy mound.

Male Phesant

I parked up and went to look over a stone wall and a nice Curlew was making its way across the field, the image was cropped heavy but still makes a nice image.

Curlew

In the afternoon I went to the river and sat waiting for the Kingfisher but there were no sightings. So I got on my bike and went back to my van, but on the way back I was surprised by a Kestrel swooping down in front of me. I stopped my bike swung my camera round and got this image of it eating what ever it caught. Wings spread out to protect its kill.

Kestrel with kill

So I arrived back at my van sat down with Ruth and had a brew, as I sat there a Lessor Redpoll landed on my New feeder and I quickly got this image of the Redpoll eating the sunflower.

Lessor Redpoll

Day 8 Countryside Life

River Wenning is low the banks are exposed the water only covers a third of the width. Dipper fly past and the flash of blue is so pleasing

Two lovers in their prime sit on the bank cover by overhanging willow, wild garlic and sage.

The sit arms round each other listening to the water with not a care in the world.

Evening Safari

Sony A7R + Sony A9ll out on the moores with Al to look for wildlife and came across some nice species of bird and a nice Brown Hare. The Skylark were feeding behind a wall as we looked out over the valley. The light was not good but it was a first for Al seeing a pair of Skylarks so close.

Driving back we spotted a Lapwing flying low followed by a Curlew both in a field to our left so I pulled over and parked up so Al could get some pictures, he got some beautiful images of the Lapwing landing.

Driving down the lane to look for the Barn Owl I spotted a Brown Hare and stopped Al took some images before i jumped out and took a few.

A lovely drive out on a beautiful sunny evening.

Day 6 Countryside Tales

Dawn watching the sun Rise up over Ingleborough where I buried Jake and Monty ashes so they look down on us every morning, and Run free playing together.

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Morning Jake and Monty

Sitting and Listening

It is 6 m and the water is running slow as the sun rises over Ingleborough. A little Tree creeper makes its way up a mossy branch just to my left. It is not aware I am there sitting waiting for the King of the river to make an appearance.

The Chiffchaf sits high in the tree above me calling for a mate. The male Mallard didn’t find a partner the year so it looks for food as I drink my tea.

The roots of the old tree dangle into the Greta like syphons sucking up the fresh water that comes down from the mountains. Will I see my second favourite bird, i sit where I sat 6 years ago and watched the young fledge.

I just heard the call of the Blackcap a lovely little bird, male showing his black cap and the female with her lovely copper coloured head.

I sip my tea and wait, its freezing but I do what I love and if the rewards are to be then that makes me so happy. But if I sit and the Blue Flash doesn’t appear then so be it. Another effort worth the the time, I will just sit in the glorious countryside next to the river and dream of the Kingfisher.

The smell of wild Garlic as I watch 2 little Wren’s chasing each other between the roots of the old 🌳.

An hour passes and my excitement fades, shall I move or sit and wait. Is the female still on eggs, if so the male won’t be hurrying to get fish or dragon fly for the young. The sun now shines down on the river, light great for the photographer.

The beautiful Grey Wagtail yellow breast and Long tail, it sits on the rock opposite me, then moves off quickly as I reach for my camera. A Collard Dove lands above me looking down as if to say are you waiting to take my picture.

Now the Chaffinch starts it morning song followed by the Robin. Across the field Belted Cows graze on the wet green grass, black rump white middle and black front.

I start to think was the rain we had back in March so bad it raised the river up just at the time the Kingfisher was choosing its nest site. If it was it will have moved down river where the bars are higher,less chance of flooding.

4 visits this week and no Dipper or Kingfisher sightings so it’s got o be late breeding I feel. It’s so quiet even at our van, birds still chasing each other looking for a mate. Or is it me just expecting to see what I see every year at this time.

To be continued.

River Tales by Blackie.

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Picnic in Longsdale

Lovely lunch in the village of Kirby Longsdale by the river looking over the beautiful English countryside. The old village has some lovely buildings and an old church.

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Picnic time

Just 17

So the story goes there was a lad of 17 who had been kicked out of his house at 15, he was a good lad who just wanted attention and love. He had a very troubled childhood and moved house from the mates and people he new as a boy. So he started again and made some good mates. He left school on the Friday in March 1972 and started work on the monday 6 days a week 6am till 4. He earned £4.75 which his step mom took half for keep.

Anyway at 17 and still looking for the rainbow he ended up having to rent a place to stay. With his wage so low he was forced to move to a rough area of manchester 7 miles from where he worked in Stockport. He could not afford bus fare so he ran to work and back. The room he got was in a dominant african area.

The room he found was about 10 feet by 5 with a bed and a small wardrobe and a small cast iron fire place. no window just a room where he could sleep at night after his hard labour work day. As he was a baker confectioner he wore whites that had to be cleaned daily. He stayed late after work and boiled his whites in a big pan on the stoves, then dried them in front of the ovens that stayed o all night.

He had his breakfast at work then lunch and a quick pie for his tea all from work. After running home in the evening he would be met at the door to the building by a big black coloured man who wanted money to enter his room, he could only give him change what he had if that.

He went straight to bed and once a week he would save for a bottle of Cider and a Pot Knoodle as a treat. This was by far the worst time living away from home at such a young age. His bed was old bed sheets that he could not wash so i cant remember if i even cleaned them or not.  Its the best i could do i showered at work and kept myself clean as i could.

The nights were terrible people always trying my door handle to see if i was in or to pinch whatever i had that belong to me. One theft happened when my Dad got me birthday watch but sadly i left it behind in my room and when i come home from work my room door had been kicked in. I didnt dare tell him.

I had visited my house one time and managed to pinch my Dads BSA .177 Air Rifle and used it at night to protect myself, i know it sounds daft but i thought it would deter people if they saw me walking in with it. The only thing i used to fire it at was the rodent that used to come in throught the fireplace. I would fire in the pitch black never hitting what ever was messing about in the rubbish bin.

How i lived from day to day with no money, week to week and month to month i will never know. but i made it and came through it. Its strange what you remember when speaking to people it just triggers something in my brain.

Blackie

Fujifilm XT30 23MM 1.4 LENS

It is so nice when you have a nice lake next to the van we live in, not only do you get sunsets but the trees that circle the lake create beautiful shadows on the water. The 23mm lens is a very sharp lens from Fuji yes its not a super wideangle lens but it captures amazing images. It also has lovely scene presets built in.

I try to get as low as possible and get some foreground in like reeds or grass.

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Day 1 Country Life

Sun shining surrounded by blossom Silver Birch trees, birds singing and the feeling of coming alive again. This is a magical place that makes you feel good all over. As the sun sets over the lakes we sit in total peace waiting for the Dawn chorus of the Song thrush that sits high on the top of the Ppine tree behind our van.

I am getting excited about the year ahead with Ruth doing what we used to, going to the river for picnics and walks on the Loon.

What out for the birds species to appear tomorrow and till the end of the season, hopefully there will be lots of lovely stories.

Blackie