Monday, December 30, 2013

2013 – Peter through the looking glass!




Well not quite a magic looking glass, but certainly seems like it sometimes through a camera lens! One the greatest things about photography is the preservation of memories, the ability of a photograph to remind you of good, or bad, days or occasions. Compiling memories of 2013 through photographs I wanted also to make a kind of mini-statement, oh no I hear you say, something that the year has made more important for me. The idea started when I had been introduced to the ‘Best Birder / Birdwatcher’ in the World! I am sure the very idea must have embarrassed the poor person, as all they had was the world’s largest ‘seen’ list of birds. And so this led me to consider the world of the ‘Lister’, particularly the ones who do it competitively and not just for fun.



Thekla Lark
The person with the largest List, the person who has seen the most rarities, the person who has spent the most money chasing down numbers of species, the one who beats the magic number of birds seen in a Big Year! Do these people believe that birding (birdwatching) is a number’s game, that somehow they will be judged as being somewhat superior for having seen more species than the next birder or birdwatcher? My goodness me, get a life and learn just to enjoy nature or go back to collecting things such as stamps or something similar. By all means do things for fun, which is not my point. The fact that there are birdwatchers (birders) who genuinely believe they are better for having seen more species than the next person is frankly very sad and delusional.

Mirror Orchid
And so to my blog and I’d like to convey to you my celebration of the everyday birds or animals that fill my life with so much joy. To show every bird, flower and animal that just makes me so happy with nature is impossible, so here I concentrated on my local fauna, things that encourage my love and interest in the natural world. I live, I breath nature, I do not chase rarities, I do not keep public lists to compete with anyone, what I do is share a passion and something that I consider so important to the wellbeing of the people in our world. So here it is, a photo collection, in part, of the most common and beautiful in my life locally, I hope you might enjoy this small collection. Thank you for your support and I wish you and your families a Very Healthy and Peaceful New Year!

Hawfinch
Red Deer
Corn Bunting
Mistle Thrush
Broad-leafed Iris
Fox
Perez's Frog
Eurasian Jay
Dartford Warbler - male
Marbled White
Crested Tit
Azure-winged Magpie
Poppy Field
Spanish Imperial Eagle
Ibex - male
Hawfinch
Red-veined Darter
Why not join Peter on one his Day Tours? See Links below.

Serranía de Ronda – My Mountains – for further information read HERE

Osuna – Steppe Country – for further information read HERE

Campillos - Mountains to Lagoons - for further information read HERE

World Bird Wednesday

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Happy Christmas to Me!

Before the onslaught of Christmas festivities and duties, it was great to take some pre-Christmas time out and indulge a little, whilst ignoring the fact that I still have some presents to buy for my nearest and dearest!

Brenda and I had arranged to meet good friends for lunch as a way of an impromptu Christmas celebration, great food, lively conversation and just plain lovely to share time with friends. The day was made complete by our journey to and from Gaucin high in the Serranía de Ronda, we took our time and managed to capture some of the wonders of our home via our cameras. 

I hope you enjoy my pictorial and take this opportunity to wish you and your families a Very Merry Xmas!



In the hills.

Cloud, cloud inversion and smoke rising from Sweet Chestnut brashings.

The speck to the right and above the cloud is a high flying Griffon Vulture!

Gaucin one of our famous White Villages
Along the way.


Stonechat (male)

Green Sandpiper - Totally relaxed!

White Wagtail looking into the sun

Chiffchaff - these busy warblers are abundant in our winters
FINALLY.

A Very Merry Xmas - Enjoy yourselves and stay safe this holiday!

Why not join Peter on one his Day Tours? See Links below.

Serranía de Ronda – My Mountains – for further information read HERE

Osuna – Steppe Country – for further information read HERE

Campillos - Mountains to Lagoons - for further information read HERE