Stone Curlews in Fuerteventura! Always hard to spot, but a family (I counted eight in one go) took flight from a rocky field when startled by a dog who spotted them from a distance and mistook them possibly for chipmunks and began to give chase. When the dog saw flying chipmunks he gave up the chase straight away. No chance!! AND far too hot to run anyway. .

The Stone Curlews took flight from the dog, and landed again almost straight away, obviously not too alarmed  by the dog once they saw what it was. They began to group together and then slowly made their way closer.

Hiding behind one of the many stone walls, I slowly made my way closer and closer, snapping away. I think they were aware I was there but didn’t seem all that bothered by me as long as I made my way slowly and quietly. Eventually though I got that little bit too close and my feet made a little noise on the stony ground and they took flight, again just a short one. But just a little too far for my lens.

Like I said, Stone Curlews are hard to spot in the one above… very will camouflaged and only best spotted while they are moving. the moment they become stationary, the become virtually invisible.

Thursley wildlife and birds in a Surrey Garden

Spiders webs glistening at Thursley common, in the bright sunshine on a dewy morning this last very hot weekend

Tame garden birds waiting for mealworms to feed their hungry babies.

We’ve had a barn owl visiting our property in Maui for 8 years now. I wonder if its the same one still.

I was walking down the drive at sunset, taking a stroll, and I should have had my camera with me because the barn owl flew right over my head.

He landed in a tulip tree about 100ft away, and seemed quite settled there, so I headed back to the house to fetch my camera. AND yes ! he was still there when i returned..

What a Beautiful bird !  Next time I should have my camera with me.. Tomorrows another day !

Japenese White Eyes, blooming sunflowers, a budding spiderlily and a black and white pussycat called Guinness

Spring has arrived in Maui.  The Cardinals have been singing at the tops of the tall bamboo, claiming their territory and attracting their mates.

I have a pair of Red Cardinals that have been singing their hearts out just outside the house, and I have started putting out sunflower seeds on the deck railings.  In no time the male started coming for the seeds, soon followed by his pretty mate, and he breaks open the seeds and then leans forward to feed her while she begs for the food. She must be laying eggs already, although I haven’t watchied close enough to see where she flies to, to try to spot where she is nesting.  The male is getting very tame now.

So out came the camera.. The shutter scared him. I was too close, but he came back both times for more food.  Greedy little thing.

Yet to get a picture of him feeding his Mrs, so watch this space….

 Check out my Maui Blog HERE

Up on the slopes of Haleakala, at a lovely spot overlooking a gulch at Hosmer Grove, a rare sight can be seen when you sit quietly and patiently waiting for the I’iwi to come and feed on a flowering bush nearby.  You hear them before you see them… They dont stay long on any one bush. They move quickly onto the next one..  The camera has to be ready… They are gone almost before its too late.

What a loud song for a small bird.. Well he needs to protect his territory for the coming winter…

See more of Britain’s Wild birds (click link) in  my photography gallery