Monday 10 November 2014

Patience is a virtue...........

 I first noticed Nuthatch in the garden during the last weeks of Summer.   I have been stalking them ever since.    To get an image has been virtually impossible, that is until today.
 Dressed in a green jumper, skinny jeans and a green bobble hat I sat amongst the vegetation.   This is not a good look I hasten to add.  Raindrops dripping down the back of my neck,  I sat for twenty minutes.    My limbs aching I was about to give up when the Nuthatch returned.   I managed to get a few images...............not perfect but at least you can see the bird on the feeder.
It is great to have Nuthatch in the garden.     The pair are with a group of Blue and Great Tits.
I am hoping when Spring arrives they will choose to stay in the garden and breed.


20 comments:

  1. Your patience paid off. How lovely, they visit our garden infrequently but we are always excited when they do. On Sunday we saw small birds at the waters edge - husband quickly whipped his bins up to discover they were Pippits, not sure whether they were Meadow or Water - to be honest I wouldn't be able to tell the difference but he has been a bird watcher since he was a young child - I can only identify the more common birds.

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    1. Nuthatch are so pretty.....I cannot tell you how thrilled I am they are using the garden:)

      Wonderful to see Pipits ..........I have never seen them in the wild.
      I would not be able to distinguish between them, they are very similar.
      I would just be thrilled to see them.

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  2. I love the nuthatches. The White-breasted ones are year-round visitors and we see the little Red-breasted ones during migration. Oh, I am so smiling at the thought of you dressed as a green fairy among the vegetation. And the rain. For so long.

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    1. I am so pleased to have got an image......I so love these little birds.

      I wouldn't mind if I looked like a fairy....sadly I did not, more like a bedraggled imp :)

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  3. Very well done Cheryl ... the camouflage and patience obviously paid off.

    I hope you get lots more visits from this colourful species.

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    1. Thank you Frank.........I was determined to get an image. So frustrating when beautiful birds visit the garden and I am not able to photograph them because they are so skittish.

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  4. P.s. I thought of your recent post about your Aconite plant - did you read about that gardener who died from Aconite poisoning - shocking. Do be careful won't you.

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    1. I did read it Elaine but thank you for being so kind to come and tell me about it.
      It is frightening.....but believe me when I say I have great respect for toxic plants.
      I always wear long sleeves and thick gloves when pruning etc.

      Gardens are dangerous places in more ways that one.

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  5. How exciting. You are a tough cookie. Good for you waiting out the little nut eater. He/she is cute as a button. It looks the same as our Red-breasted nuthatches. They only come here during winter if at all. Our regular feeder nuthatch is the White-breasted nuthatch. I hope you don't become ill from getting chilled in the dampness. I keep forgetting to tell you that I love the header photo. My cyclamens didn't show up last year. I thought it might have been because they were drought stricken. This year was a perfect year for them but they must have given up. This makes me sad. I think it is just too hot and dry here for them.

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    1. Lisa It was worth it to get a photograph for you. I know how much you love them.
      I was cold, I must say but I am sure I will be fine.

      It is sad about your cyclamen, they are such a pretty addition to the Autumn/Winter garden.

      Tku re header

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  6. Well done Cheryl.. great photos :o) x

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  7. I could not help laughing when I read you were sitting among the vegetation totally in green waiting for the nuthatch, but your patience is rewarded, the nuthatch is a wonderful little bird, great pictures.

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    1. I confess I felt rather foolish but fortunately I do not have any neighbours close enough to see me :)

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  8. Great to have one in your garden, it's the first bird I hear calling in spring at the park... so one of my favourite birds.
    Amanda xx

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    1. I have heard them calling in the garden for a few months. Seeing them and getting an image has been difficult. At last, now I have them on my blog for reference.

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  9. The lengths we go to for a photo. Do you know, I've never seen a nuthatch. Let's hope they hang around to give you many more photo opportunities.

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    1. Indeed Jo....I am getting to old for hiding in bushes, in the rain :)
      They are lovely little birds, I am thrilled to have them in the garden. I am determined, should they stay, to get a better image.

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  10. Cheryl, I so admire your patience; I am glad it paid for you. I have probably sat for 20 minutes waiting for a hummingbird to appear for a photo--but I was sitting comfortably on my porch swing:) We often have nuthatches in the winter, but I have never noticed them at other times of the year.

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  11. We too have nuthatches - mostly in winter. There are so many trees in my backyard and yesterday I saw a pileated woodpecker.

    How cold and damp you must have been! I'm stifling a giggle, thinking of you dressed as a soggy Christmas elf, camera in hand, coaxing the little bird to please, please come to the feeder so I can take your pic! Hurry-up, before I catch cold! LOL. Just teasing you, Cheryl. I've practically stood on my head sometimes to capture froggie pics, or made the silliest faces to make the grand-kids laugh.

    So pleased the little guy cooperated - your patience was rewarded. Now, time for a cup of hot tea!

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