Country picnic snack....

The Starlings circled overhead chattering loudly as their friend struggled for his life.
It took way too long for the little life to be extinguished as the Sparrowhawk was still wary of that defensive lunging beak.
Eventually it was all over. Nature can appear cruel, but it is what it is...

The size, the white eye stripe, and the brownish rather than greyish colouring indicated that this was a female Sparrowhawk. The females because of their larger size tend to hunt bigger prey (anything up to pigeon size) and operate out in the open. The smaller males are more agile, broad but short wings allow them to hunt within the close quarters of woodland. Males were once known as 'Muskets', and in the 17th century, the newly developed, compact, lightweight but powerful 'musket' gun was named after them.
Even after their friends death, the brave Starlings continued to mob the dangerous Sparrowhawk, forcing it to adopt a defensive stance.
This strange 'tenting' allows them to stand on the wings of their prey but remain stable using their tail and wingtips to form a tripod.


Next time I'm out in the countryside, hopefully I'll be able to photograph something a bit more 'fluffy', preferable NOT having it's head chewed off by something vicious!....

The view from the Oak...

From mighty boughs I did fall, my mother proud, ancient and tall.
I travelled by palm from my rural calm...
...to be placed in a pot, and later my own plot.
The decades passed by with no more than a sigh.
Settlers came and went, the cottage no longer for rent.
For the cars that paid, I'd offer my shade.
With shouting chainsaw, you may as well shot me with a gun...
Look, you bloody developers, just look what you've done.

1798 - 2008 RIP...The big old oak cut down in its prime.

Mr. Tiddles won't be home for his milk...

It was a warm sunny day as she lolled, relaxed without a care in the world.
She knew I was there. She had her beady eye on me.
More watchful than normal. She'd spotted me and wanted me to know it....A little extra set of ears lurk in the background.
This is why she was being so alert. The cubs were at play...
The pics and video are a bit blurred and shaky because I was at 35X zoom.
The cubs had got a new toy...
...but I couldn't quite see what it was.


Lots of tiny cub yawns told mum that the kids were ready for a nap. It was time to head back off to the den. She stooped to collect up the toys...
Oh dear, it looks as if Mr Tiddles won't be coming home for his milk tonight!
With a quick glance she checked they weren't being followed and they were gone...