Some North American Sparrows

A selection of North American Sparrows taken by Chris during our trips to Ohio in 2011 and Texas in 2012.

Chipping Sparrow

Lark Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Lincoln's Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Seaside Sparrow

Olive Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Grasshopper Sparrow

Cassin's Sparrow

Some 'All Black' American Birds

What appears to be a black bird is often much more colourful.  These are just some examples from our recent trips to the US. They all contain beautiful shades of iridescent blues and greens.

Brewers Blackbird

Bronzed Cowbird

Common Grackle

Boat-tailed Grackle

Great-tailed Grackle

A Selection of Birds Day at Bolivar Flats Texas

These shots were taken by Chris on 10th April 2012 during our trip to South Texas. A really great birding spot for spring migration, as is the whole of the Texas coast at this time of year. 

Royal Tern

Sanderling

Laughing Gull

Red Knot

Black-bellied Plover

Long-billied Curlew

Western Sandpiper

More Fungi

Here are four more photographs of British fungi that I've found during the last week or so.  More fungi photographs on my Flickr set http://bit.ly/OI4SGz

Sulphur Tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare)

Blackening Waxcap (Hygrocybe conica)

Turkey Tail Fungus (Trametes versicolor)

Common Cavalier (Melanoleuca polioleuca)

Some Common British Fungi

I'm at last finding time to learn about British fungi.  Below are four common ones I've found recently.  More to follow as the autumn progresses. 

Honey Fungus (Armillaria mellea)

Blushing Bracket (Daedaleopsis confragosa)

Shaggy Inkcap (Coprinus comatus)

Southern Bracket (Ganoderma australe)

Tricolored Herons, Texas

This set of Tricolored Heron photographs was taken from the boardwalk at South Padre Island in South Texas on 13th April 2012.  A really wonderful bird.

Autumn Fruits

Grapes growing on the wall of an old kitchen garden

Apples in Chris's garden

Plums in my daughter's garden

Dewberries in a local sand dune

Blackberries in a hedgerow

Chestnuts on the village green