Song thrush (Turdus philomelos) in the snow…
Snow is a rarity here in Cardiff, as it is a city warmed by trade and industry on the soft south coast of Wales. So when we do get snow, I am soon out in the garden with my camera – even though there is not a lot to see.
The snow fell yesterday, but I saw it in the garden only as a pink glow before dawn as I was then going to be in work all day. The fronts of my thighs are still aching from the strange way I had to plod along the main streets in order not to slip in the slushy snow.
Snow on the bird table…
Other parts of South Wales have had it much worse and some people couldn’t make it to work, but in Cardiff the snow is quickly slip sliding away.
For the record, here’s some of the white stuff from today, plus some of the birds in the garden.
Icicles on the bird bath…
Blue tit (Parus caeruleus)…
Robin (Erithacus rubecula) – looking puffed up as he’s in the middle of singing…
Snow on the Mahonia…
Female blackbird (Turdus merula)…
Snow on the Hebe…
Snow on the blueberry…
Great tit (Parus major)…
Snow on the Daphne…
Snow on the Cordyline…
Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)…
Snow on the Fuchsia…
Snow on the dwarf pine…
Snow on the variegated holly…
Magpie (Pica pica)…
Bird footprints in the yard…
I expect the weather here will now freeze, which will make the already-ugly slush an even worse hazard…
these photos are breathe-taking… what a beautiful job you’ve done
Thank you for your kind comments
You must be so pleased with the thrush picture. Beautiful. And the blue tit! Starlings are much under-rated for their beauty (as are piegeons) and the colours of a magpie are startling because we think of them as black and white.
I wish we had had more snow. The proximity of the sea makes it a rarity here too and the little we had fell as slush.
I’ve always been fascinated by that pinkness in the sky before snow. You don’t happen to know why it is? One would have expected it to be extra white.
Thanks for commenting – and I see you are on Twitter now, too!
I worried afterwards about mentioning the pinkness, as I wondered if it was just because of the (pinky yellow) sodium street lamps here. So I’m glad you knew what I meant!
Best wishes
The thrush is lovely, and the other birds, too. I know exactly what you mean about the ache in the legs that comes from walking in slippery slush.
Thanks for the kind comments – and I love your new post about chickens – a bit of a different one for you!
My legs have stopped aching now
Best wishes…
Pretty selection of birds, you’ve done well to get them so in focus!
As usual, you should see the dozens of blurred pictures “on the cutting room floor”
Beautiful photos!
Thank you! And I am now following your blog
Your songthrush is a beauty!
Thanks. We have one permanently in the garden now the weather is cold. It loves the raisins on the bird table
We have had all sorts of different birds in the garden over the last few snowy days including black caps, reed warbler, field fares and redwings. Great to see
Ooh, I am jealous! We have blackcaps all year round (although maybe not the same ones), but I have never seen a reed warbler or a fieldfare in the flesh.
We do occasionally get redwings when it snows, but not this time…
Best wishes
Nice photo of the icicles from the bird table
Yes, I always love a good icicle! So clear and clean and pure and glassy
Gorgeous as always (not you Pat haha – couldn’t resist!) It’s still in evidence here and so the mind turns towards travelling in the morning … Loved the female blackbird photo – merges
It’s OK shaz, you’re gorgeous too! Here I only have to travel to work on foot, which is great in fresh snow, OK in slush but deadly if it freezes.
Take care, whatever the weather
Pat..Awesome shots..what a great way to start your New Year..hopefully the birds can find a place to keep from getting too chilled..when I lived up North, I used to put fat or peanut butter and roll in birdseed in a small net and hang from a tree, that produces energy which in turn creates heat in them..beautiful photos..thanks so much for sharing…kj
Thanks for the kind words, KJ. The birds in my garden may still feel the cold – but they are certainly well fed! I put out fat squares and pellets but they go very quickly, especially if the grey squirrels help them!
Best wishes
You have some great bird photos. And I really like the icicles on the bird bath.
I love all the bird photos and the one of the tracks. Yes! it is a lot of work walking through snow and being careful not to fall…be careful Pat…Michelle
You must look after yourself too
Beautiful photos!
Several years ago, I spent a weekend in Wales which included Cardiff. I really enjoyed the visit.
Thank you for your kind words – and I am now following your beautiful blog…