Liking Lichens on Concrete and Mortar

I do like taking photos of lichens, something oddly artistic about them .....

Siskins plural

Yesterday I mentioned how Siskin was a decent garden rarity for me with only singles having been seen ....... Noticed one on the nuts again today, and as I ventured down the passageway at the side of the house to try and get some closer shots I could hear the distinctive sound of more Siskins. Sure enough, they were exactly where the should be - high up in the only alder within a few hundred meters, which stands on the neighbour's front garden overlooking our feeders. There were 14, including some nice males, but they all stayed at the top. Only the one came down to the feeders, the rest were happy with the alder cones.

 

 

Otherwise, nothing esle of note today as I've been measuring, sawing, re-measuring, re-sawing and swearing a lot whilst sorting new skirting boards after we had a new floor fitted throughout the downstairs.

Siskin

Siskin is a garden rarity for me, I've only ever had a couple of singles over the years. I was therefore pleased to see one briefly as I left out for work on Wednesday morning, and even more pleased when it (or another) popped up on me nuts again today and afforded some grainy record shots .....

Shame it wasn't a stonking male but beggars can't be choosers. Would have been nice if it could have popped up in January though - there were no Siskins anywhere to be found around here for Foot It.

Liking Lichens

My work/family/pursuits balance has taken a complete pasting over the last week and a half thanks to a major work issue. Not good. Working too many hours, not spending any decent time at home, and barely getting any fresh air let alone time in the field. Things have been a little more settled since yesterday - just in time for me to feel like complete crap with man-flu. Today I just had to get out before my head exploded. I left work just after lunch-time and managed to have a relaxing walk around the home square in the late afternoon pointing the camera at a few bits and just enjoying a bit of peace. Here's a load of lichens from various trees, twigs and branches.