Monday 19 June 2017

Sunbathing between feeds

While on my visit to Keswick to spend some time with friend Les, I always have a wonder round the Isthmus to see whats about. The Isthmus by the way is like a small peninsular of land jutting out into Derwentwater, and is covered with a variety of mainly deciduous trees. It is completely open to the public and it is criss crossed with footpaths, some bordering the lake. It is home to the Keswick Launch company work shops, where all repairs are undertaken, and new rowing boats are built there, the whole area is owned by the National trust, as is a lot of land in the valley of  Borrowdale.

Typical of the trees on the Isthmus, photo from a previous Autumn.
another part of the woodland.

and taken a few winters back, a view of the Isthmus from the boat landings, with Grisedale Pike covered in snow in the background.

Anyway to get back to the present, on a wonder ! the first thing I came across was this female Blackbird taking a break from feeding her family.

When I say taking a break, she was actually sunbathing.

Sunbathing when there is a family to feed

Some would say she's not sunbathing, she's warming the food, sorry I'm not buying that, she is just being  lazy.

A close up reveals a variety of food including a worm trying to escape over the top of her beak.
More from Derwentwater next time.

47 comments:

  1. She's waiting until those worms are good and dead! heehee! And all the time, I know those babies are crying. Great photos! Thanks, Diane

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    1. Thanks Diane, always good to hear your views and comments
      Have a good week, Gordon.

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  2. Hello, love the pretty view of the mountains. The blackbird is a cutie! Great series of photos. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

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    1. Hello Eileen, thanks for looking in and your comment.
      Take care, have a ggod week, Gordon.

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  3. Gorgeous Woodland Gordon, magnificent trees.
    Wow, didn't realise just what a variety of food in one go the birds collect. I love our Blackbirds here - ha ha, lazy!! She's having a bit of 'me' time as the youngies say ;D)

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    1. Hi Sue, good of you to drop by again, your comments are always appreciated.
      Have a good week,Gordon.

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  4. I love the color of those first shots

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    1. Thank you for looking in my friend, you are always welcome.
      All the best, Gordon.

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  5. Great shots of the mama bird ~ lovely macro photography ~ ^_^

    Thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog ^_^

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    1. Thank you Carol, Its much appreciated that you dropped by thank you.
      Have a good week, Gordon.

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  6. awwww, taking a much needed break!! Those little ones can be so demanding!! Awesome captures!!

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    1. Hi Debbie, thanks for dropping by and your nice comments.
      Take care,Gordon.

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  7. Great captures of the blackbird, Gordon. They are such interesting birds, I also love listening to them.

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    1. Yes especially last thing at night. thank you, gordon.

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  8. Wow, wonderful photos Gordon. I absolutely love those bird photos, fantastic close-ups.
    Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Thanks Bill, I appreciate your cotribution, thanks Gordon.

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  9. I love bird watching!!!! Cheers from Canada!
    P.S. Our phoebes fledged!

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    1. Its good to know Jenn, I think there is a few of us around now, but we newed to keep spreading the word, they need our protection.
      All the best, Gordon.

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  10. What a lovely place! I'm guessing that poor bird has had enough of filling demanding little beaks. Nice shots.

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    1. Thanks Kay, good to hear from you, Gordon.

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  11. Grreat photos of the bird, the last one is super.
    And the landscape is very lovely.

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    1. Thank you so much for looking in again, much appreciated.
      Take care, Gordon.

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  12. Lovely photos of the trees and close up of the mama Blackbird. I think she was probably stopping for a rest in between feeding her hungry ones. And since the sun is so warm, great idea to enjoy some sunbathing. Lol!

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    1. Hi Nancy, you shouldn't be siding with her, LOL. the kids should come before anything.
      All the best, Gordon.

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  13. Wow! So much detail on the bird's catch.
    Just love all of these nature shots. :D

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    1. That is very kind of you to say so, and for looking in.
      All the best, Gordon.

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  14. Great photos!
    Hope you are having a wonderful week!

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    1. Thank you Lea, I'll be looking again soon.
      All the best, Gordon.

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  15. I think she's enjoying the sunshine just like we do. Sit on something warmed by the sun and let the heat radiate through our bones.

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    1. Looking for something cool to sit on at the moment Phil, fantastic weather at the moment.
      All the best, Gordon

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  16. Hello Gordon!:) You live in a beautiful part of the world. I know the "Lake District" in the north of the UK, and the landscape is breath taking. I visited Coniston, many years ago, and the home of the late John Ruskin. Thank you for reminding me of the happy time spent hiking, and sailing on the lake.
    Lovely shots of Mama Blackbird.:)

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  17. lol, well, she did not eat it. :) Love those images. even a parent has to take a break.

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    1. Hello, thak you once agin for your kind comment, which you have been doing for quite some years now, I've been looking through my old e-mails.
      Thank you again, Gordon.

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  18. Belles images ;-)
    Céline & Philippe

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    1. You are very Kind.
      Thank you for visiting, Take care, Gordon.

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  19. You found some great scenery on your wander around the area. I think I agree with you about the bird. Every mom needs a break every now and then :)

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    1. Thanks for looking in Betty, the area is candy for the camera.
      Thanks again, take care, Gordon.

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  20. Looks like a wonderful place for a ramble and whatever the reason for the Blackbird's rest she is certainly entitled to it!

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    1. Thanks David, the place is awash with footpaths, round the valleys and all over the mountains, and maybe you are right as regards the bird.
      Take care, Gordon.

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  21. Hello gordon
    Beautiful pieces of forest I see here.
    Great to be there :-)
    The pictures of the blackbird female are really very pretty done with the feed in the beak for her young.

    Greetings, Helma

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    1. Helma looking in again, It reaally is nice of you to keep leaveing comments, Much appreciated, Gordo.

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  22. Looks like a fun area for hiking/birding etc....:)

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    1. Hi, you are right on both counts, its the reason I relocated 120 miles 1974.
      Thank you for looking in, Gordon.

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  23. Very nice landscape pictures Gordon and the sunbathing blackbird.

    Greetings,
    Ad

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    1. Hellow, and thank you for looking in, and your comments, they are really appreciated,
      All the best, Gordon.

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  24. Replies
    1. Hi thank you for looking in again, you are always welcome.
      Take care, Gordon.

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A big thank you to everyone for looking in and leaving their comments, much appreciated, Gordon.