Earlier this evening I noticed a very low flying Red Kite outside of my window. On closer inspection it turned out it was being pursued by a few Rooks (and others birds). Luckily my camera had the big lens mounted, so I quickly grabbed it, opened my fake balcony door and managed to get a few decent shots of the show:
Following yesterday’s 1.5 hours walk I doubled my efforts today and walked for three hours until the clouds came in. Today I stayed locally and walked to Aqua Vitae Copse and Padworth college. On the way I spotted a variety of birds: a Sparrow was carrying grass in its beak, I assume for nest building. Two Blue Tits were sitting among the fresh shoots on a tree. But the highlight was a Red Kite eating its catch while in flight before resting on a tree. Finally I enjoyed Bluebells carpeting the woodland floor.
On a cold February Sunday afternoon with short sunny intervals I went out for a short walk to see if I could spot any local birds. There wasn’t an awful lot around but I managed to get decent shots of a Great Spotted Woodpecker and two pairs of Shovelers.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker on a dead tree
A Great Spotted Woodpecker peeking out from behind a branch
A Great Spotted Woodpecker flying off
Two male Shovelers
Male and female Shovelers
A male Shoveler
I also spotted a Kingfisher at the pond just outside my flat, but unfortunately didn’t manage to take a picture of it.
The last pass of the International Space Station over the UK in 2015, on Christmas Eve (click on the picture for the full size):
International Space Station (ISS) and Startrails over Aldermaston Wharf
It was a low pass (as you can see) and not as bright as previously, also it wasn’t as dark as I had hoped. Still, fairly happy with the picture (which is a composite of over 100 pictures). Oh, and the thick stripes are clouds.