Monday 11 January 2010

Snowy Confidant


Not much to be had!









Pictures of a very confiding Meadow Pipit yesterday at Filey Country Park. Seems the lack of food was making the little fellow and his mate desperate and this bird was walking on the ice only 20' away.

12 comments:

Chris said...

Hi Mike,
I guess this is not an easy moment for them! They have to look for food everywhere... You got nice shots thought, it is funny and nice to see them on ice!

Anonymous said...

Good shots Mike, yes life is pretty hard for them at the moment.

Mike Randall Bird Photography said...

Thanks Chris & Roy.
The ice gives a diferent aspect to the birds year.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Nature takes us into the realm of those that must really work to make life a go, and when the harshness of winter strikes, one simply must do what one can to help and otherwise hope for a good outcome. Nice images ~

Linda Yarrow said...

Poor birds, especially the smaller birds, are having a tough time with this freezing cold weather. I hope we do not lose too many of them. The RSPB are putting out some food for the birds in some areas of UK, emergency feeding they call it.

Mike Randall Bird Photography said...

Thanks for your comments Mary & Lyn.
The small birds are really struggling, I hear that it is particularly insect and seed eaters like Dunnocks and Wrens, please do all you can to feed these species.

Grant Marcus said...

Hi Mike
Great images and it is just amazing that those small birds can endure the cold...again great shots

Grant

Mike Randall Bird Photography said...

Thanks for your visit and comment Grant.

Eastaytonbirder said...

Nice shots of the pipit Mike, not often you get the chance to photograph birds on snow & ice - thinks it's a rock rather than meadow pipit, they will come away from the coastal strip up onto the top fields, etc.

Should seen a noticeable improvement in the light conditions from now on, so hopefully photography will get a bit easier (as much as it ever does).

Mike Randall Bird Photography said...

Hi Dave
Ironically I so much wanted this to be a Rock Pipit. I know your ID will be right, whereas I consulted the books and detirmined Meadow, leg colouration was one factor for deciding this as I thought they looked pink rather than the Rock's black.
The birds did disappear over the cliff face rather than moving elsewhere in land.
Grateful for the advice.
Mike

Will said...

Definitely a Rock Pipit- not unusual for their legs to be pink....nice shots.

Mike Randall Bird Photography said...

Thanks Will for comment.
I am chuffed its a Rock.