Yesterday I tweeted about wanting to get in the garden and close to the dozens of birds that were in the bushes and on the bird feeders, but that is not what birders do. Birders watch from a suitable distance without disturbing the birds. Wanting to get out in the garden and close to the birds meant I am not a proper birder.
However photographers are a different breed. They try to get closer and closer to get that crisp, clear shot. Usually they also frighten the birds away before managing to lift the camera, and ruin it for birders. Photographers aren’t bothered by such things as the weather unless it means that the light isn’t right. Most of yesterday (and for as far back as I can remember) it was raining so any sensible person would stay indoors. I did just that for most of the day which could mean that I am not a proper photographer. I am a birding photographer so I could claim that birding took priority and so stayed indoors.
However during a slight lull in the rain I put on a thick body warmer, my boots and an anorak and took some rubbish out to the bin. I also took my camera with me and hid my slim-self behind the pole of the clothes line.
A pair of male Bullfinches hopped around in the bushes seeming to peer at me from behind branches. However Siskins, Long Tailed Tits, Green Finches, Gold Finches and Coal Tits came quite close. It was the Siskins that I enjoyed the most. This is only the 2nd Winter that I have seen them – seen them to recognise them that is. I have, no doubt, seen them flying from tree to tree in the past and perhaps even seen them on the feeders without knowing them to be Siskins.
Note that in the top photo you can see water droplets on the branch. I was out in the rain, just like a stupid photographer.
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