The weather is truly hideous. Unpretty snow and an all pervading damp cold. We decided that if Easter hols are going to consist of yucky weather and revision we should make our TV movie-friendly again (having got rid of the DVD player for a reason I can't remember). So we've invested in an Apple TV box thing that lets you stream from iTunes. So far it seems to be enabling even more sport :0(.
Anyway the diversity of birds in the garden has increased due to the cold weather. I've been supplying a really popular peanut/seed cake - it looks like suet but I've just read the label on the new one and it's made of various nut flours and oils. Unfortunately a squirrel has worked out how to raid it but that's what Monty's for. I've heard woodpeckers in one of the nearby streets and we've had green ones before but this is the first time I've seen a Great Spotted in the garden. Not a great photo - terrible light and a distance away but beggars can't be choosers.
In less good neighbourhood news a house 10 doors down has had visits from the police and forensic pathologist this morning. It's all looking normal now so I'm hoping no foul play detected but there's obviously been a sad event.
Three good things:
1. 'Argo' tonight - as Nigel says, probably the most expensive movie we've ever rented. Though I'm assuming we will use the equipment more than once!
2. The vet took pity on me and didn't charge me for Rafiki's check up - she was horrified that this is the 5th time this year they've had to remove grass from her throat.
3. My neighbour has offered to dig up his pampas grass - hurrah - though I don't know when with the weather so foul.
PS snowy blossom in extras. http://365project.org/judithg/extras/2013-03-23
I think you are right Judith, movies are the new going out !!!!!!!! Never been one to watch many movies I am rather partial to a good film these days but don't watch on the TV as Harry doesn't like anything which is made up!!!!! I have to watch from different TV in kitchen until he goes to sleep in front of man TV.
I notice our bird table is very busy.....poor birds they will be wondering when nesting time is coming!
The jazziest bird in the garden...so bright & always quite exciting to see.
@fueast Well on the way home Adam announced,'I've seen it'. Last time we watched a film together five minutes in he said, 'It's really sad that he dies' - so it may not be that edge of seat after all!
@sleepdozer57 We have blackbirds who sort of dive-bomb it and then sit on the floor picking up the crumbs. I've put suet pellets down for them but the dog keeps eating them...
Mine had spam sandwich remains (yuck! man food) and poached salmon, hoping for some exotica in the garden, wretched magpies and rooks.so, you are extremely lucky here!!! Thats the trouble with men they watch sport all the time or news............well shot...as they say!!
Cheeky little chap. They have special spongy bone areas behind their beaks to cushion their brains from all that pecking! Well captured Judith, I've never managed it!
Awful weather here too, and definitely no chance of seeing a woodpecker. Now we just have to knuckle down and revise over the next few weeks...eeek, can't wait to these GCSE's are over and done with!
I have heard that you can buy "cat grass" to plant. Its what the cats prefer to eat. Maybe that is a solution to your cats desire to eat grass. Great to see the woodpecker in action - peck, peck peck!
nice woodpecker shot under the conditions you had. It's snowed all day here, drifting and deep !! I've been stalking the birds in our garden with my tripod and 70-300mm zoom, but they won't play....they are usually quite friendly and don't mid me be near, but once i get my camera and tripod they seem not to want to play !
@maggiemae I've thought about that and I've given my neighbour some repellant stuff but his getting rid of it would be best of all - it's so sharp though I think he may be ripped to shreds!
Great title and a nice shot in the circumstances. We have hundreds of channels on Sky but usually end up with a DVD - better than the cinema as you can have loo breaks, don't have folks constantly kicking the back of your chair or munching on oversized bags of popcorn - phew that feels better :)
We use Apple TV a bit to watch recent movies. Easier than going to video store. Also use it to listen to music through home theatre. I put all CDs etc onto Mac so it can be used to broadcast but also for iPhone, iPods, etc. Argo was terrific btw. Incidentally, the pecker looks a bit tuckered out. We're do they go for the winter?
great woodpecker shot - and agreed the weather is foul! I'm off to Dubai for Easter - can't take this rubbish weather any longer - my vitamin D needs replenishing!! Argo is a great film...you need to more assertive and get the balance right with the sport thing!!
Ooo he's lovely to look at! I go into panic mode when I have woodpeckers as it means something is infested with bugs. Our European Mountain Ash is likely to succumb to something ugly judging from the rings of holes the woodpeckers have made. Our woodpeckers winter over here in Upstate New York, we even see pileated woodpeckers - they are huge! Argo was a great film - I was in college at that time so the styles (or lack therof) really resonate for me!
What an exciting visitor to your garden! We tend to get common house sparrows and blackbirds! Our movie for the night was 'the elephant man', I saw it a very long time ago and even though I vaguely knew the story it didn't stop me from blubbing at the end :( We've had quite a bit of snow here again, desperately hoping it all disappears tomorrow!
I notice our bird table is very busy.....poor birds they will be wondering when nesting time is coming!
The jazziest bird in the garden...so bright & always quite exciting to see.
This is a beautiful capture, Judith.
@happypat liking The Man Tv