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Friday, 7 December 2018

All photos taken in the garden in July.

Checking out the garden for food - Eurasian hoopoe (Upupa epops).

Moving in for the kill...

Ha, a tasty morsel...

As above.

Somebody is getting too close...

Go away.

Think I will just sit here out of the way,

European or common blackbird (Turdus merula).  Male.

As above but I think this is a juvenile not sure what sex yet.



Linking up to 

25 comments:

  1. I love his feathery head! Looks like he's heading to the races with a fancy hat. ;-)

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    1. LOL, they are locely birds and interesting to watch. Take care, cheers Diane

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  2. I have never seen an Eurasian hoopoe before! Its head feather looks like a Red Indian headgear.

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    1. They are probably one of my favourite smaller birds. I love hearing them in the garden as well; the call is 'Hoop hoop' and its where the name comes from. Have a good weekend, Diane

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    1. Interesting birds to watch. Hope you have a good weekend Diane

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  4. The hoopoe is one amazing bird. Love the "getting too close" shot!

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    1. Thanks Betty for the comment, they are quite cheeky if one gets food and the other does not :-) Take care Diane

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  5. That hoopoe is such a show-off! Love it!

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    1. Show off but sich fun to watch 😊 Keep well Diane

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  6. A Hoopoe a garden bird. I don't think I could ever beat that.

    As to counting. It's about practice but the key is to count in blocks then add the blocks. Find a group of 10, 20, 30 or 100 birds then move along the flock counting similar sizes until the end and then add them up. Give it a try Diane.

    Tell me how you get on.

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    1. Phil they are delightful birds to have around, but after living in Africa for 50 years I am quite used to them. My dream would be to wake up and hear an African Fish Eagle calling in the garden! Having camped close to water in RSA and listened to them at close quarters they have just captivated me.

      'Our' sparrows do not keep still long enough for me to count to 5 but I will give your method a try. Have a good remainder to the week. Diane

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  7. Hello. I saw your comment at Phil's blog & thought I'd pay you a visit. Then I see your blog list realizing you photograph birds. I too do the same...Nice to meet you.

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    1. Hi Anni, thanks so much for the comment much appreciated. Hope you see you back in the future. Take care Diane

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    2. Thanks for linking with us at I'd Rather B Birdin this week. Feel free to return whenever you have more bird photos. A new linking tool opens each Saturday at noon (Texas time).

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  8. How I love the Hoopoe hairdo.....

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    1. Quite a dramatic hairstyle 😉 Thanks for the comment, Diane

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  9. The Hoopoe is such a great bird - what a splendid bird to have in your garden!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

    PS: commenting now seems to be working properly - but only from my lap top!

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    1. Glad you have got comments working now, well from th laptop anyway. I feel very blessed to get to see the hoopoes every year in the garden, Cheers Diane

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    1. Thanks for your visit. Yes it is a beautiful bird and we are lucky to see and hear them each year when they return in summer. Have a good day Diane

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  11. Five months to Menorca.Then I will see one or two. Have a good weekend Diane.

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    1. Thanks Phil and you too. I will be busy packing to leave early on Monday morning. Take care Diane

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  12. The Hoopoe is so unusual and attractive! Your blackbird looks just like our robin with a change of feathers!

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    1. Hi Kenneth and thanks for the visit and the comment. The Hoopoe is an interesting bird and having lived most of my life in Southern Africa with them, I was delighted to find them in the garden here in France. Have a good weekend Diane

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