The weather is warming noticeably now and even though it has turned dull without any strong and good light for photographs there is a bit of a feel of spring in the air with the lengthening days. Tonight at dusk the lovelly evocative sound of a Blackbird singing from his territory drifted accross the garden, this almost brought tears to my eyes as I like that sound so much. Daffs are in bloom and snowdrops and Grape Hyacinths are everywhere. The lawn has had it’s first cut.
I have a new lens.A Pentax 500mm with a 2x’s converter, a fantastic bit of kit. I have it set up in the bathroom and from the window I can focus on the Apple Tree at the bottom of my garden and wait for visitors from my favourite avian friends.. So far because of the dimpsy light I have not seen the lens perform at it’s best but I am thrilled so far. I have taken a whole portfolio of shots of my resident Collared Dove who sits for hours in the same position snoozing and preening.
Here is a link to my Gallery site where you can see more photo’s of him and also lots of others taken this week.Charlies Birds and more
There is also photos of my lifetime list which is in its infancy but will get updated when time allows and also when I record new species of course. My Dragonflies and Damsels will also be updated from my collection in time so please keep checking back to see what I am up to.
Oh, the frog spawn has been added to but no sign of any toads yet.
Because of the dull weather not a lot of insect activity although I did see a Bumble Bee yesterday, probably Bombous terrestris.

Hope you like the Collared Dove, he is a real beauty and I am hoping he will attract a mate soon, he did last year! A Great Tit is in the tree very often and it will be just a matter of time befor I get a good shot of him as well.