The maximum temperature in the Charente today is 7⁰C, minimum -2⁰C. 24 - 42m/h South/West winds. 80% chance of rain. So much better than the icy weather we have been having, and it actually warms up over the coming week.
We have hardly set foot out anywhere, as Nigel caught a bug at New Year, so Birds taken through the window have been my main source of photography this month so far.
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| 29 December 2025, just a lucky shot! |
Eurasian nuthatch, wood nuthatch (Sitta europaea) Sittelle torchepot...
As above.
Eurasian blackbird male (Turdus merula) Merle noir. Sparrows in the foreground. There are so many of the latter around this year.
Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) Mésange bleue...
As above,
Common Chaffinch, female (Fringilla coelebs) Pinson des arbres...
As above, but a male.
House Sparrow female (Passer domesticus) Moineau domestique....
As above
As above but a male
Also, a male House Sparrow on the soapstone African art elephant.
I have been watching this bird for a while, but the photos have not been good. Today, they were a little better! I am pretty sure it is a Great Tit (Parus major) Mésange charbonnière, but it appears to have a touch of Leucism. A genetic mutation that results in a total or partial reduction of colour in a bird's plumage. I find it quite interesting. Note the extra white on the head...
As above....
As above,
The return of the Eurasian nuthatch, wood nuthatch (Sitta europaea) Sittelle torchepot...
As above.
and a male House Sparrow again in the snow.
The return of the Blue Tit see above...
Great Tit (Parus major) Mésange charbonnière, wondering what this white stuff is!
A European Greenfinch (Chloris chloris) Verdier d'Europe in a stand off with a
European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) Rouge-gorge...
Robin, see above.
House sparrows are taking a drink. I break the ice several times a day!
07/01/2026 Very cold again and snowing on and off, but not settling very much.
I spent some time sitting at the window this morning, and I got some great photos of the birds, but my favourite was this part of a series from Mrs Blackbird. Basically, breaking the ice, although I had already done it a while before....
and finally Mrs House Sparrow in the snow on the African soapstone head.
Wishing you all well and all the very best. If all goes as planned, we will be in South Africa in February and I will post when I can.
You took some amazing photos, Diane. The moving birds ain't easy to photograph..you did an excellent job!
ReplyDeleteThanks Angie, the moving birds a just luck, no planning goes into it. Hope all is well. Keep warm. cheers Diane
DeleteSorry to hear that there is sickness in the house, Diane, but you have used your camera to good advantage through the window. Looks like you have had more avian visitors than usual. Tell Nigel to get well soon! Bisous - David
ReplyDeleteBonjour David, Nigel saw the Dr this morning, he has bronchitis, and is now on antibiotics. He has 3 weeks to get well, so hopefully all will OK. The birds are all the normal suspects, the one that would not come close was the Goldfinch. More probably, just because I was using up time that normally would not have existed! message passed on, bisous mon ami, Diane
DeleteHope your husband is feeling better and you get to South Africa as planned. I always enjoy your posts from there too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marie, he is now on antibiotics, so hopefully all will be well, and they will sort the problem out. I am hoping to get some good photos from the game reserves, but it will depend on the WiFi as to when the photos will get posted. Keep well and keep warm, cheers Diane
DeleteLovely bird photos! Hope Nigel feels better soon and that you both have a wonderful 2026 ahead.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much, he is on the mend but very slowly. Hopefully sunny Africa will help him to feel better ! All the best Diane
DeleteSo many great shots! I especially love the picture of the bird taking off... so cool! Hope you're having fun in South Africa.
ReplyDeleteWe leave for SA on Wednesday so fingers crossed all will be well when we get there, Thanks for the kind comment Diane
DeleteDeseo que tu esposo se encuentre bien. Hiciste muy bonitas fotos de los pájaros, todas me gustan. Besos.
ReplyDeleteGracias por tu amable comentario. La recuperación de mi esposo es lenta, pero debería estar bien para viajar. Besos, Diane.
DeleteI feel for Nigel. I experienced a bad case of the flu for the new year, and it was quite humbling. I do enjoy all your 'through the window' photos of the birds visiting you. Wishing you a safe trip to South Africa, and a lovely new year.
ReplyDeleteThanks Yvonne, it has been a very slow recover, three lots of antibiotics but the Dr says he will be able to travel. Hopefully I will get some good but different photos in SA. Keep well Diane
DeleteSo many ovely photos of your bird visitors. I like the Blue Wren
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane, I am a little confused, do you mean the Blue Tit ? If so they are very cute and come tapping on the window when the food runs out!!. Take care t'other Diane
DeleteSorry to here Nigel is not well. I hope he recovers soon. Love all the beautiful bird photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks he is now off of medication, but still does not feel right. I am hoping the sunny weather in SA will make him feel better!! Cheers t'other Diane
DeleteI hope that you are out and about soon, I'm sure these lovely birds miss you.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Thanks very much we hopefully will get some warmer weather in SA and N will feel better, Take care Diane
DeleteI hope he recovers soon. Love all the photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks he is better, but still not 100%, hopefully the sun will cheer him up. Thanks for the visit and the comment. Diane
Delete