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ali1973.bsky.social
Ali
@ali1973.bsky.social
76 followers 82 following 140 posts
Photography, Wildlife, Birding, Insects, Astronomy
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ali1973.bsky.social
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme #paddling Glossy Ibis living up to its name, so shiny in the sun @robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social #birds 🪶
Glossy Ibis wading in water, the dark rainbow of iridescent red, green and purple feathers shines in the sunlight
November 12, 2025 at 1:44 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
Panic in the Egyptian Goose ranks as an incoming bird misjudges its landing #birds 🪶
Two Egyptian Geese flap in a panic as a third bird screams in the air behind them. Wings wide and feet splayed, it puts the breaks on hard to try to avoid a collision.
November 12, 2025 at 12:25 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme #BirdsOnTheGround (not in water) Here is a pair of lovely Avocets @robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social #birds 🪶
Two elegant Avocets walk from right to left over velvety green, close-cropped grass.
November 11, 2025 at 3:57 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
#BirdoftheDay theme is #least. This is my one and only Jack Snipe. There is one in the picture, honest!
Jack Snipe - distant pic shows mostly reeds, water and foreground, there is also a Jack Snipe in the image, I promise.
November 10, 2025 at 6:51 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
Peregrine on a pylon #BirdOfTheDay #StandingOnThings
Peregrine Falcon stands on a pylon with its wings flared
November 9, 2025 at 6:24 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
This beautiful sparrowhawk graced us with wonderful views in the early morning sunshine #birds 🪶
Sparrowhawk stares directly at the camera with its bright yellow eyes Sparrowhawk perches on the top of bare branches, its head is turned to the right, its talons visible as it grips the branch. Sparrowhawk perches on the top of bare branches, it is side on showing the hooked profile of its bill. Sparrowhawk perches on the top of bare branches, it is side on but turning its head back over its shoulder.
November 1, 2025 at 7:27 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
Some experiments in various monochrome tones #birds 🪶 #deer #bradgate
Red Deer Stag. The deer stands amongst low bracken against a dark, grey-blue sky. Its black silhouette forms a strong shape against the blank background. Golden mist rises over a lake, small islands are silhouetted against the glow of the mist and there are a few birds visible, standing on the middle island. Little Egret in cool black and white stands in front of reeds. Its wings are flared in front and behind, as though it is performing a fan dance. Little Egret in cool black and white. It stands in deep water, stark white against the black and featureless water. It has made a strike and re-emerged, water splashes frozen in large droplets around it.
October 29, 2025 at 10:54 AM
ali1973.bsky.social
Kestrel plays Subbuteo @levparikian.bsky.social @chrisgpackham.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social #birds 🪶
Kestrel directly overhead, with something clutched in its talon, it brings its curled foot towards its beak. Kestrel has caught an insect and is feeding on the wing, its yellow talon passing the food into is beak. Kestrel has caught an insect and is feeding on the wing, its yellow talon passing the food into is beak. Kestrel has caught an insect and is feeding on the wing, its yellow talon passing the food into is beak.
October 12, 2025 at 8:20 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
Some recent raptors #birds 🪶
Common Buzzard shown in flight against a white sky. Marsh Harrier shown in flight at a distance. Its legs are extended, one forward, one back. It is shown against a backdrop of trees that are just turning yellow. Red Kite flies overhead in a pale blue sky, sunlight just visible filtering through its wings. Sparrowhawk perched on dead tree stares into the camera with piercing yellow eyes
October 12, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Reposted by Ali
levparikian.bsky.social
IMPROVISED OWL PHYSIO
folklorewales.com Dr Delyth Badder @folklorewales.com · Oct 5
Six weeks ago, I picked up a year-old tawny owl with a broken leg off the main road near our home and dropped him off at our nearest vet.

After a few days, I received one of the most bizarre phone calls I’ve ever had, asking “So when are you coming to pick up your owl?” 🧵
Tawny owl
October 5, 2025 at 9:34 AM
ali1973.bsky.social
A few pictures from recent travels. #birds 🪶 Little Egret, Chough, Marsh Harrier and Gannet.
Little Egret in flight, its head is framed against its downswept wing and its yellow feet are lowered. as it comes into land. It is lit from behind, its wings illuminated by the sun. Chough. Blackbird like, with bright red, curved bill, stands on grass by the side of a gravel path. Marsh Harrier. Juvenile bird of prey with dark brown body and a cream coloured head stands in a tree laden with bright red berries. It is leaning forward, calling forcefully for its parents. Gannet. White seabird with black wing tips, yellow head and greyish blue bill flies low over a choppy green sea.
September 24, 2025 at 4:46 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
Lovely sunspot groups today #astronomy 🔭
Sun's disc, wisped with clouds, shows several clear sunspot groups. There are dark patches scattered at random over the surface.
September 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
A photo you took that brings you inner peace
Mist rises at dawn over a lake as a flock of birds takes flight low across the water. The colours of the water, air and sky are the softest shades of pink and blue.
August 23, 2025 at 10:43 AM
ali1973.bsky.social
It was a hot old day, so the Marsh Harrier had a little splash about at the edge of the water. Was a bit jealous to be honest... #birds 🪶 @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
August 14, 2025 at 7:10 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
Have been after some shots of this Marsh Harrier against these flowers for some time. #birds 🪶 @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Marsh Harrier. Large bird of prey with dark brown wings, pale head and dark eyes flies from right to left against a blurred background of pink flowers and green grasses.
August 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
Heron picked something up from the greenery (caterpillar? dragonfly? hard to tell), but I don't think it tasted very nice... #birds 🪶 @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Grey Heron. It has snapped up a caterpillar or dragonfly from some foliage, the unfortunate creature just visible grasped in the bill of the heron. Grey Heron. Having squashed the small creature and swallowed it, the heron then gaped open its bill and thrashed its head around - this first frame shows it with eyes closed, twisting its head, bill open to its left. Grey Heron. The second frame shows the heron having thrashed its head to its right so violently, its tongue is flailing out of its beak. Grey Heron. The third frame shows the heron having thrashed its head back to its left, its tongue sticking out of its open beak.
August 3, 2025 at 6:33 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
Settled in the bird hide for the start of the cricket on TMS #birds 🪶 #cricket @zaltzcricket.bsky.social @levparikian.bsky.social
View from the bird hide. Looking out over purple flowers and various grasses with pools of water visible.
July 23, 2025 at 9:52 AM
ali1973.bsky.social
Think it left the gas on? Water Rail chick legs it back into the reeds. #birds 🪶 @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
July 19, 2025 at 7:22 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
Some fox cub rough and tumble #FoxOfTheDay #fox @chrisgpackham.bsky.social @bbcspringwatch.bsky.social
July 15, 2025 at 7:59 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
A few more pics from various visits over the last few weeks. Many thanks to @carlhowe.bsky.social for the amazing work he’s carried out. #birds 🪶 @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @warksmammalgroup.bsky.social
Small Skipper Butterfly. Male shown with dark streaks on its orange wings as it feeds on thistle. Glossy Ibis turned side-on. The sun shines, showing off its iridescent bronze, green and red feathers. Bittern shown in flight, its streaked underside shown well. Badger feeding near a tree stump.
July 13, 2025 at 6:51 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
A few pics from various visits over the last few weeks #birds 🪶 @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @warksmammalgroup.bsky.social
Hare shown running in a field, backlit by low golden sun Great Created Grebe chick with black and white ‘humbug’ markings on its head. Seen side on, its bill is dipped in the water. Marsh Harrier. Male with pale head and underside of wings is shown hovering, looking down as it surveys the ground for prey Hare sat in green grasses, its head turned sideways to the camera.
July 13, 2025 at 6:43 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
Insect encounters during my rambles. #insects #invertibrates @insects.bsky.social
Male Banded Demoiselle rests on the seedhead of a grass. Its metallic green/blue colouring shines in the sunlight. Ruby Tailed Wasp on the top of a fence post, it is tiny but stunningly coloured with iridescent green on the head, metallic blue on the body and ruby red/gold on its abdomen. Yellow and Black Longhorn Beetle on pink bramble flowers, its long segmented antennae alternate yellow and black sections and it wing cases are yellow with black spots and patches. Common Blue Damselflies, the male has the female held by the back of her head in his claspers. They are resting on pink bramble flowers.
June 22, 2025 at 10:07 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
Some bird from the last few weeks wanderings. #birds 🪶 @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @mercianbirding.bsky.social
Bittern flies from right to left, low over the water. Its wings are swept downwards and its bill is open slightly. Common Tern flies low over bright, still water, dragging its red bill through the surface of the water. A trail of water has been thrown up behind it and its reflection is rippled below it. Barn Owl flies from left to right against dark trees, lit by bright morning light. Little Egret stands on one leg in a tree, its head tilted as it lifts one foot, about to scratch.
June 22, 2025 at 9:58 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
Had my first views of a badger recently, just lovely to watch this one snuffling about for the food. #badger @badgertrust.bsky.social @warksmammalgroup.bsky.social
Badger sitting on some grass. It is side on to the camera, but its head is turned to face the camera. Badger snuffling in the grass, searching out food. Badger walking down a grassy path. Badger caught with its mouth just about to close around some food.
June 22, 2025 at 9:41 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
A few more pics from the last few days. Great to get another flyby from the Bittern, this time from a nicer angle! #birds 🪶 @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @bbcspringwatch.bsky.social @levparikian.bsky.social @carlbovisnature.bsky.social
Bittern. Shown against a blank grey sky, it has its bill slightly open as it flies away, side on to the camera. It has a cream and brown streaked underside and a more reddish-brown wing. Bittern. Shown against a blank grey sky as it flies side on to the camera. It has a cream and brown streaked underside and greenish legs with long claws. Greylag Goose. Grey-brown goose with large orange bill stands surrounded by large yellow and white daisies. Avocet pair. Monochrome image. Elegant black and white waders stand side-by-side, and side on to the camera, a blur of reeds framing them softly
June 1, 2025 at 12:53 PM