Ian Steel
Nature, gardens, local living - in Norfolk, UK.
- These Golden Plover are spending their winter on the Norfolk UK coast. Here they are in shallow water at Titchwell Marsh. #birds
- On the garden fence - Late winter sunlight picks out a Red-legged Partridge. It's a lucky breakaway bird - many are reared to provide targets for recreational shooting. #birds
- On the garden fence - three Jackdaws #birds
- February's surprise garden visitor - a Meadow Pippit perched on the fence near the winter jasmine. A garden first for us. #birds
- A surprise breakfast time visitor on our garden fence. We'd seen a couple of fleeting glimpses of this Barn Owl before, but this time it was kind enough to stay while I rummaged around looking for my camera and then managed a few pictures. #birds
- A text from a nature-loving neighbour - Waxwings in a nearby garden! The light was very poor, but my old camera did its best. #birds
- On this very cold morning there were a lot of birds feeding in the garden. Then this Sparrowhawk arrived, and all the birds departed - even the gulls. Two hours elapsed before hunger overcame caution and the birds began to return.
- Mallard duck and hedgehog foraging for a few kitten biscuits which had fallen on the grass. #birds
- A restless flock of Goldfinches brightening up a dull and cloudy day at the local beach. #birds
- A male Sparrowhawk landed on the garden fence. He took some time to size up the position of the feeders and the best angles of approach. Then he was gone. Soon the Greenfinches will be coming to feed.... #birds
- Evening at Snettisham beach on the Norfolk shore of The Wash. As the North Sea tide reaches its high point, tens of thousands of wading birds are taking to the air. #birds
- At Titchwell Marsh reserve on the North West Norfolk coast I watched birds like this Redshank. Then, as I walked back towards the car, I realised that I was being watched too... #birds #Norfolk #nature
- While getting our morning tea, the sharp-eyed Mrs S spotted a Ring Ouzel on the fence at the end of the garden here in Snettisham. I'm not sure I've ever got out of bed so quickly. In around 20 secs it was gone. Flew off towards the Wild Ken Hill woods. #RingOuzel #birding #UKbirding
- The village's second hand bookshop business is up for sale. It's based in an elderly cottage with several little rooms, each dedicated to books covering particular topics.
- Seasonal moths - visitors to the garden on a breezy October night: Green-brindled Crescent. Beaded Chestnut, Pale-mottled Willow, Lunar Underwing. In the background - leaves from the raspberry patch, which is beginning to close down for the winter after a very fruitful year.
- Autumnal produce and vintage things - all on offer just along the coast at Thornham's Drove Orchards.
- The seasonal profile picture: Looking back towards the village from the Snettisham RSPB reserve. The distant woodland is part of the Wild Ken Hill estate.
