Saturday 4 December 2010

Bramblings in the Snow

The snow in my garden on Thursday morning was three feet deep and the most convenient way for me to feed the birds was to place small portions of their favourite foods along the top of the wall at my front door.

From my living room window I watched three male Bramblings, a large mixed flock of Chaffinch, four Greenfinch, a female House Sparrow, three male and two female Blackbirds, individual Blue, Coal and Great Tits and a Robin visit the food. As might be imagined, I was particularly pleased to see the Bramblings. I think this is a first winter male ...

Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla)

16 comments:

Stewart said...

Spot on Emma.

Age first. Look at the greater covert bar on the wing and you can see contrast between a pale dirty beige outer feather compared to the broad orangy inner feathers. Also look at the tail feathers. All sharp and pointed.

Now sex. Head has black showing from under the grey brown tips.

Nice one...

Anonymous said...

Lovely shot of the Brambling Emma, I still haven't seen any this winter.

ADRIAN said...

He is a beauty. I bet you are pleased as punch with this shot.
I like the header too. hy doesn't it fit the frame? I've had this problem in the past and for the life of me can't remember how I solved it.

holdingmoments said...

Three foot of snow?!
I hope you're keeping Ok Emma.
And the poor birds must be really struggling to find food. It's great that people like yourself take the time to feed them.
A beautiful visitor to the garden too.

Emma Anderson said...

Thanks to Stewart for his super and detailed confirmation of my Brambling id. Thanks also to ...
Roy: I do hope you will see a Brambling soon. I think they're lovely birds.
Adrian: I took the Brambling picture through the glass as it was too cold to open the window to take pictures so I am pleased with the outcome. Re Header, The picture fits on my computer. I note that a lot of people's headers don't fit. I resize mine to 929mp wide to fit the frame and the page width. Sorry if it doesn't appear so with you.
Keith: Not snowed-in now fortunately. I dug-out a foot of snow early on Friday morning down to the road (this is four times I have done this). Neighbours were doing likewise and I was invited to go to Hexham to Tesco for shopping with three of them which was very helpful (not that I needed much shopping). A tractor has since dug its way up the road so we are all back in the real world again (until it snows again!)

Sarah Knight said...

Beautiful shot : )

Kevin Murphy said...

Excellent picture Emma!

kirstallcreatures said...

Lovely to see your pic of the Brambling Emma, I saw my first at Fairburn Ings recently, which was accompanied by a little hop of delight. Hope you're faring well, and I trust you're keeping your spirits up by tucking into those lovely homemade jams. Best wishes, Linda

Springman said...

A brilliant catch Emma! I hope everyone remembers to double click this one. The detail is out of this world. I believe we are entering the Golden age of bird photography. Your Brambling is dazzeling! ;-)WBW

Arija said...

Your windows are much cleaner than mine. A fine shot indeed. I would love to see the tits and robins.
Tits we do not have in Australia and I do love them so much and it would be so nice to compare your robins with ours.

mick said...

Great photo of a beautiful little bird - but I wouldn't like the snow!

Becky said...

A very very pretty little bird.
You have the same amount of snow that we do. I can't say I'm all that happy, but it does give me more time to watch the birds.
Have a great week.
B.

FAB said...

Super shot through the window. Obviously your windows are cleaner than mine Emma. Glad to hear you managed to dig yourself out. FAB.

Hilke Breder said...

Beautiful shot of a colorful bird. Springman is right: you absolutely have to go to full size to appreciate the beauty, the fine details and colors.

Empty Nester said...

I can't even imagine 3 feet of snow. We have had snow 4 times in the 30 years I have lived here. Anyway, love the picture!

jeanlivingsimple said...

Nice shot of a bird I have never seen!