Birds and other things.

I forgot to identify some of the birds who visit our garden.  

This is a Siskin.

Siskin on the left and Goldfinch on the right and to the rear.  We counted 17 Goldfinches today.  

We do a weekly bird count for the British Trust for Ornithology.  Anyone can do this once you become a member.

Needless to say our Blackbird count has gone up!

I do not count the birds on the Prom.

Although I always check to see what is there.

Mainly Herring Gulls at the moment.  The Oystercatchers will be back soon after raising their young.

Here at the Dunes Golf Centre.  Told you they like gravel!  The centre is shut at the moment with the lock down so they made the most of it.

Beach deserted.  Weather today was warm....  Painting. A first sketch of the Herring Gulls.

This evening the DP was holding a zoom meeting of the Photographic Society.  I decided to watch Billy Elliot, the film about the boy wanting to do ballet rather than boxing.  Forgotten how good it was.  I so like Julie Walters.  Brought back memories of the miners strike too.

Good night.

Normal?

I have a lot to be thankful for.  When I read other blogs I want to hug some bloggers but can only do this 'virtually'.  I am not even supposed to go near, let alone hug the DP, while shielding.

My choice to ignore that one.

I just want to thank each and every one of the bloggers I know.  A wonderful community of different people who have supported me in so many ways.

Our lives will never be as the old normal.  We have all been shaken in our shoes.

Thank you.

My bit of normal which is almost the same is the daily Prom visit.

To see our beautiful beach.  The sea and the Gull Gang.  Who provide me with painting inspiration.

Normal then and now is watching the birds in the garden.  

New life popping up all around.

The young birds learning about their life's normal.

I am grateful.

Thank you.

Life is Good.

Day 6 of the challenge to show an image on that theme.

Our 4oth wedding anniversary.

This was the photo that went in the local paper and far more natural than the staged ones taken later.

Yes I was a smoker.  No longer.

Last year when our family were last all together.  An addition since then.

Hope it is not too long before I see them again.

We have four children and now seven grandchildren.

Life is good and soon be even better.

Day 5 of the challenge.

Life is good.  Day 5.  Oystercatchers are my most favourite bird.  Beach is empty of them as they are rearing young.  They prefer gravel.  Lots in the cemetery.

We went to the Prom today .   There was a cool and stiffish breeze.  So as there were lots of people we came home again.


I sat outside where it was sheltered.  

Lupins doing well.

Rheum Palmatum.

Angelica almost flowering.

Progress on the Geese.

Been a lovely weather day apart from the breeze.  

40 years ago this was the last day I was single.

Night night.

Challenge.

I was challenged on Facebook to do an image a day for ten days with the theme 'Life is good.'  And of course nominate someone else to do the same.....

My first was

I like Skurries.

Second was 

The Shedudio.

Third

Day 4 my greatest achievement.

Day 5 tomorrow.  No idea.  Once this is over remind me no more challenges....

Getting Back to Normal?

I can now go out to exercise.  Travel no more than 5 miles so to do said exercise.  I can meet up with another family outside, so glad its not December, keeping the six feet distance.  I can also play golf, cycle and something else I forget what as I dont do any of them.  With my lungs?

Letting all this sink in.  

I think the Goldcrest is done now.  One more look tomorrow and last tweaks.

I have been doing a bit of weeding.  But now is the season for the frothy cow parsley.  So I squint when looking at the garden so as to not see it.

Aquilegia, Oriental Poppies mainly.  Really should be applying artistic skills to flowers now.

Not as exciting now its allowed!  I went to the Prom.  Fortunately nowhere near as many people as yesterday.

Lots of Gulls.  Last one a Skurry in a Flurry.

I walked which is really what it is about.  No one has been harmed in the making of these blog spots.

Wednesday

Finding it difficult as more people are on the Prom all standing and observing social distances but such large groups I cannot get past.

Not sure how to deal with it.

As it got later they all departed en masse so possibly I could try going even later?

The beach was deserted.  Strange.

More announcements due tomorrow from our First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.

Painting today more tweaks on the Firecrest.