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

15 comments:

Mary Howell Cromer said...

What a stunning selection Peter. I so agree with you...I do have a couple of birds on my wish list...a Great Gray Owl is at the top, and I would also love to see a Snow Bunting, and yet every day.
I am looking for birds, for wildlife, for nature at it's best and sometimes it's saddest, but just doing life this way is infectious and I enjoy it as well. You live in a marvelous section of the world and you have so many varieties of birds and wildlife...just the ones that you have chosen here, are so wonderful. Thank you for all that you do and for sharing with us.
Happy New Year Peter.
This would be a great share for Wild Bird Wednesday, beginning noonish here tomorrow...
Just saying ;)

Dave said...

a superb selection here, local Crested Tits & Hawfinch..... brilliant.

theconstantwalker said...

A great post... you have captured some wonderful wildlife.

Bird Guide said...

Thanks so very much for your kind comments Mary, Dave and Andrew! I very much appreciate your input. Peter

Hootin Anni said...

You've dazzled me!!! Such great bird images...the finch is one I've never seen before so with your help and posting its photo, I've learned of a new species.

Happy New Year.

Carole M. said...

such an array of birds and wildlife Peter and a very interesting post to read. Some of my favourites were the Dartford Warbler; Perez's frog; Hawfinch and the Corn Bunting

eileeninmd said...

Wow, awesome collection of photos! The birds are beautiful. Happy New Years to you and your family!

Neil said...

Great series and Happy New Year.

Karen said...

A great series!

Bird Guide said...

Thanks so very much for your lovely comments Anni, Carole, Eileen, Neil and Karen. So pleased yu enjoyed the blog and I certainly enjoy sharing my experiences! Peter

Mary Howell Cromer said...

So happy to see you on here Peter! Happy New Year and I look forward to many shares in the future~

HansHB said...

Awesome post!
Happy New Year to you!

sunshine said...

A very impressive collection and a Happy New Year.

Bird Guide said...

Thanks so very much Mary, Hans and Christian. So very kind and so nice to receive your comments... Happy New Year to all.

Unknown said...

Wonderful photos. Happy New Year, Peter!