Today I had a brilliant Birthday walk with some of my blog and twitter followers; Keith, Trevor, Andrew, Gary, Sharon, Phil, Kane and Chris and mum ,dad and Harley
When everyone got here we started our walk down to the Vale Royal Locks. On the opposite bank of the river, it looked like a new Heronry was being set up. Lots of Herons were busy nest building.
I was telling Kane and Chris all about my feeding station, and the rest of the gang about my birding life. I was also describing how we are hoping to monitor breeding Woodpeckers of all the 3 types ( we hope ) in the wood, in fact when my dad was walking back he counted lots of possible woodpecker holes in trees.
You can tell Keith was really enjoying himself.
When we eventually got to the locks, the water was much more powerful than last time we were there, we could even feel the spray.
I'm not sure what Harley had just said to Keith here!
Moving on from that .... I thought I was supposed to be king of the day. However, this beautiful Kingfisher turned up on a shallow pool beside the river and stole the show.
Kingfishers are stunning...! I kept looking to see if it was ringed but I don't think it was.
They are so focused when they are fishing and he stayed around for ages giving us a great show. Their plumage is spectacular. I think it really made Sharon's day. We are going to see who got the best shot of it.
Believe it or not it is only the second time I've seen it on my local patch. What an end to the best birthday I have ever had.
After the walk we went back to the house for some stew and dumplings and of course some cake.
I really want to thank everyone as well for making the effort to come and celebrate my birthday.
Wild Bird Wednesday
Wild Bird Wednesday
i know (and recognize) some of those awesome blogging blokes! what a great way to celebrate!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Findlay, lovely pictures and a great get-together.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great time was enjoyed by all, so sorry I couldn't make it today Finn; you'll all to soon discover work is the bane of the birding classes but I suppose school is too! And I 'need' kingfisher this year...doh
ReplyDeleteMaybe next year.
Keep up the excellent work
Cheers
DaveyMan
It was a great afternoon Findlay and I really enjoyed sharing that cake.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a fantastic day and it was wonderful to meet up and share the walk with some lovely fellow bloggers.
what a brilliant birthday Findlay - belated birthday wishes to you. You had such a super time and seeing the kingfisher like you did was "just the icing on the cake" :)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds and looks like you had a great time Findlay.Who did get the best photo of the Kingfisher ?
ReplyDeletepeter
Thanks Findlay for a great afternoon, you led us on a great walk of your local patch, and can't believe we got to see a Kingfisher, certainly did make Sharons day!! just processing my Kingfisher pics, but yours will take some beating. Thanks to you, and mum and dad for asking us to join you and our blogging friends, see you soon.
ReplyDeleteWe had a great time celebrating your birthday with you and I was absolutely thrilled to bits to see the Kingfisher - it certainly did make my day - and it was such a pleasure to meet some fellow bloggers too - and the stew was delish!!!! You've got some excellent shots there with your new camera too, well done!
ReplyDeleteI had a great day Findlay, it was good meeting you and your family, and of course, all the other fellow bloggers, Thanks for making us so welcome. I really enjoyed the guided walk around your local patch, what a neat trick that was of yours to arrange for that Kingfisher to put in an amazing appearance!..nice one!!...and you got some cracking photos!
ReplyDeleteNigel and Heather - it was nice to meet you and a big thank you for putting in all the hard work to make this a special day.
I hope you have lots of good birding over the next week at your Grandparents Findlay....Thanks for a great day...[;o)
Findlay....Just to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY and sorry I wasn't around. Mum and Dad knew I wasn't going to make it but there's always another time.
ReplyDeleteMy last apology of the day is....SORRY I'm a bit late with this message.
Coming by from Andrew's blog where I heard about your Birthday Celebration. Happy Belated! What a great way to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you have to be upstaged on your big day, that Kingfisher is a pretty great one to do it!
Findlay, a fantastic day. Great to meet you, your family, and the fellow bloggers and Twitter users.
ReplyDeleteThe Kingfisher was a real bonus to an excellent day.
I think you've won it with the picture of him with the fish.
Bonitas capturas del Martin pescador.La tarta me gusta mucho,se quedo muy bonita.Saludos
ReplyDeleteHi Findlay it looks like you guy/gals had a great day, I'm so sorry I couldn't attend but hopefully we'll be able to catch up at some point.
ReplyDeleteThem Kingfisher images are great too.
Very late but sincere Happy Birthday wishes to you Findlay. What a great time you had. It must have been lovely meeting up with so many good friends. The Kingfisher must have known it was a very special visit! Your photos of it are lovely. I have never managed any photo of one let alone as good as yours :-) Did you have some nice birdy type presents?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to spend your Birthday ...out birding with Family and friends.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
"Adelaide and Beyond"
Hi Findlay,
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated Birthday!
Looks like you had a wonderful day!
You got some awesome shots of the Kingfisher!
That's a pretty neat birthday cake too.
You have such wonderful friends to want to celebrate your birthday in a way they knew you'd enjoy! Happy birthday, though a tad late.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a great day out for your birthday and the kingfisher is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSorry I wasn't able to make it to be with you Findlay. Sounds like you had an absolutely splendid time. That Kingfisher was the real icing on the cake!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, and Happy Birthday!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated Birthday. Findlay! The Kingfisher would have made my day. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the kingfisher!
ReplyDeleteHi Findlay ....What a fabulous gathering to celebrate with you...great post..your enthusiasm for birding is infectious, you make me just smile with joy !!
ReplyDeleteGrace
kingfishers are so hard to capture and that one is stunning...fantastic!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful way to celebrate a birthday! :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great birthday. The kingfisher is a beauty.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! Great shots of the Kingfisher - good to see there was somebody sensisble there to keep all those old folk in order!
ReplyDeleteCheers and thanks (to you your mum!) for linking to WBW.
Stewart M - Melbourne
What a wonderful day you had! Happy Birthday to you!
ReplyDeleteThat Kingfisher is beautiful! One of my favorite birds but very difficult to photograph. Also, our species are not nearly so colorful as yours!
Regards, Wally (Florida, USA)
Happy (belated) bird-day! I'd like to see a European Kingfisher someday, they are spectacular.
ReplyDeleteHarley Winfrey (Missouri, USA)
Once again wishing Findlay a Happy Birthday ;') the images are wonderful!
ReplyDelete