Whodunnit?

I'm not sure what happened, but these are the remains of a Stock Dove.

There were several piles of feathers, starting near a bush and then moving out into the open as whatever it was worked its way through its meal. Finally, the legs and pelvis and the wings and sternum (click for slightly gruesome photo) of the dove were left in two separate portions, away from the feathers, and picked clean very neatly.

Anyone care to guess what did it? Bird or mammal? The motive is easier to work out...

photos taken with Canon Powershot A640

Birds' bathtime

Chaffinches

Male Blackbird

Coal Tit

Stock Dove

Bathtime at The Lodge once more. You would think that taking photos of bathing birds from a hide in bright sunshine would be a piece of cake. Not always so.

Some birds are too small and distant (tits, Siskins). Some are too big and quick and close (Stock Dove). Some move too fast (hmm... all of the above). About the only species that behaves itself in front of the camera is the humble Chaffinch.

Today was quite unusual because there were already three photographers in residence in the hide when I arrived. It looked like my planned lunchtime activities were going to be foiled by a lack of room, but it turned out OK. Which is more than can be said for most of the photos.

That said, I am very pleased with the first photo of the male Chaffinch. Quite a surprise.

There were no signs of yesterday's Mandarin ducks, sadly. That was a bit too much to hope for.

photos taken with Nikon Coolpix 995 + Leica Apo Televid 77 with 20-60x eyepiece