Fraggs Photography 📸🦊🦉🦋🦔 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿
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fraggenstein.bsky.social
Fraggs Photography 📸🦊🦉🦋🦔 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿
@fraggenstein.bsky.social
2.9K followers 1.6K following 1.8K posts
Amateur wildlife photographer from South Wales ~ Loving all aspects of nature & capturing those beautiful moments with a camera ~ Canon R5 - R7 - 90D ~ BBC Countryfile Calendar Competition Finalist 2023 🏆
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fraggenstein.bsky.social
Bitterly cold out 🥶🌡️ A puffed up Blue Tit early this morning in the garden 🪶 🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #birdphotography #titmouse #naturetherapy #ukwildlife #bluesky
Imagine a tiny, energetic bird, smaller than your fist, with a distinctive bright blue cap on its head, white cheeks framed by a dark line, and a sunny yellow belly. It has greenish-blue on its back, blue wings and tail, and a little black beak, flitting quickly among branches, making it easy to spot by its movement and sound, even if you can't see all the colours clearly.
January 5, 2026 at 11:08 AM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
Today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme is #speckles&spots birds with speckled or spotted plumage. The alt theme is #most the bird you think you have most photos of set by @alan678.bsky.social ~ I've chosen the amazing Starling 🪶🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #ukwildlife #EastCoastKin #bluesky #naturephotography
Photo taken in my own back garden ~ South Wales A starling is a noisy, social bird, about the size of a robin, known for its glossy, dark feathers that shimmer with purple and green in the light, speckled with white in winter; it's easily recognized by its distinctive chattering calls, its habit of visiting gardens, and it's incredible ability to mimic sounds, often seen in huge, swirling flocks performing breathtaking aerial dances called murmuration's.
January 5, 2026 at 9:23 AM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
Been a long day & very late to post but #BirdOfTheDay theme has been #snowy bird captures or #goldenhour bird captures set by @alan678.bsky.social for @robcrank68.bsky.social ~ Not got any Snowy photos so here's a Common Redstart in early morning light 🪶🦉 #ukbirding #EastCoastKin #birdphotography
Photo taken in The New Forest ~ Hampshire A female Common Redstart is a small, energetic bird, similar in size to a robin, with a mostly plain, soft brownish-grey body, paler buff-white belly, and a distinctive, bright rusty-orange tail that she often quivers. Key features for a partially sighted person are her pale orange-red chest and undertail, a subtle pale ring around her dark eye, and the constant flicking of that warm-toned tail against her duller bac
January 4, 2026 at 10:17 PM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
Missed yesterday's theme, been away visiting friends so the #BirdOfTheDay today is #caughtinmotion birds captured in movement and the alternative is #BirdsofPrey set by @alan678.bsky.social ~ Here's my first photo of the year taken yesterday morning 🪶🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #EastCoastKin #bluesky
Photo of a Buzzard taken over The Vale of Glamorgan 02/01/26 A buzzard is a large, brown bird of prey, like a powerful kite with broad, rounded wings that it holds in a 'V' shape when soaring, making a distinctive mewing call as it circles high up or perches on posts, feeling heavy and strong, with a sharp beak and big feet for hunting small animals, known for their keen eyesight, even if they look varied in colour.
January 3, 2026 at 6:30 PM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
The first #BirdOfTheDay of 2026 & the theme is #b&w, bird captures in mono, it proved popular last time, the alt theme is #sparrows set by @alan678.bsky.social ~ I've gone for a Dipper that I took a few years ago 🪶🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #ukwildlife #EastCoastKin #bluesky #naturephotography
Photo taken at Forest Farm NR ~ Cardiff ~ South Wales The dipper is a unique, stout, short-tailed songbird known for its distinctive bobbing motion when perched on rocks in fast-flowing rivers and streams. It is a medium-sized, plump, and compact bird, comparable in size to a small thrush. The adult bird is mostly a dark, chocolate-brown colour, which can appear almost black in some light. This dark body contrasts sharply with a large, bright white patch covering its throat and upper chest, often described as a "bib". UK subspecies may also have a chestnut-coloured band below the white bib. It has a short tail that is often cocked upwards, and relatively short, strong wings that produce a low, whirring flight sound. Dippers are almost exclusively found along the banks of clear, fast-flowing rivers and streams, typically in upland areas. (Dipping): Its name comes from its constant, rhythmic "dipping" or bobbing up and down motion while perched on a rock, which helps it to blend in with the movement of the rushing water or potentially spot prey. It is unique among British songbirds for its ability to walk straight into and completely under the water to hunt for aquatic insects and their larvae. Underwater, a thin, silvery film of air can be seen covering its body due to trapped bubbles on its dense, waterproof feathers. Despite the noise of the rushing water, the dipper has a loud, beautiful, and repetitive song that can often be heard, especially during the winter. Its call is a sharp "zil, zil, zil" sound when in flight.
January 1, 2026 at 12:49 PM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
That wraps up 2025 & what a way to finish with a return journey to Aust (Severn Bridge) today to hopefully see the Penduline Tits in the beautiful sunshine ~ Such stunning little birds 😍 ~ 🎉Happy New Year to You All 🎉 Bring on 2026 🪶 🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #ukwildlife #bluesky
The Penduline Tit is a small, active bird known for its striking black "mask" across pale grey/white head, rusty brown back, and pale underparts, with a pointed, cone-shaped beak and a distinctive, pendulous pouch-nest like a felted pouch hanging from a branch. It's a flitting, acrobatic feeder in reeds, quick and agile, using its sharp beak for insects, often upside down, and builds incredible woven nests with false entrances for predator protection.
December 31, 2025 at 8:11 PM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
December 31st & the last #HolidayRobin - #FestiveDailyRobin of 2025 ~ thought I'd finish with a set of four gorgeous little bundles of joy taken at various locations from South Wales to The New Forest 🥰 🥰 🪶 🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #birdphotography #robin #naturetherapy #ukwildlife #bluesky
The song of a robin can be described as a flutelike, warbling melody with a wistful and perky quality. It's a loud and clear sound, especially for such a small bird, and often one of the first songs heard in the morning and the last at night. Key characteristics for a partially sighted person include: The song is a string of notes that rapidly descend in pitch but increase in speed. It flows nicely, with pauses between verses, and some parts include soft trembling or squeakier notes. Each song consists of various phrases, with new verses following one another, meaning there isn't much repetition. Some parts are quick and loud, while others are slower and softer, creating a dynamic and engaging sound. The notes rise and fall in pitch but are delivered at a steady rhythm. Robins are known for singing loudly and can even be heard at night, especially in urban areas where it might be too noisy during the day. The overall impression is often described as cheerful, contemplative, and nostalgic, bringing a sense of peace and comfort to those who hear it. For a partially sighted individual, focusing on the changes in tempo, volume, and emotional quality of the song will help build a vivid mental picture of this beloved bird's vocal performance. A robin is a small, cheerful bird, like a tiny, plump person with a bright, fiery orange-red chest that feels warm and vibrant (like sunshine on your skin) against a soft brown back, with delicate brown wings and a sweet, quick song that's like a cheerful little whistle or bell ringing in the morning, and they hop around, tapping their feet with a quick, precise rhythm, making a light "tick-tick-tick" sound as they look for worms, feeling like a tiny, energetic presence nearby.
December 31, 2025 at 4:33 PM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme, which is #Reflections. The Alternative is #BlueGreatCoal (any of the Tit Bird Species) set by @robcrank68.bsky.social ~ Today I've gone for a Drake Mandarin & Grey Phalarope🪶🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #ukwildlife #EastCoastKin #bluesky #naturephotography #wildlife
Photo taken at Bryngarw Country Park ~ Bridgend Imagine a duck that looks like it's wearing a fancy, colourful costume: the male Mandarin duck (drake) has a tiny red beak, a white stripe above his eye like a fancy eyebrow, reddish cheeks with "whiskers," a purple chest, and large, bright orange sail-like feathers sticking up from his back, with pale orange sides. It's like a mix of a duck and a brightly painted bird from a fairytale, much flashier than the plainer brown female. Photo taken at The Knap ~ South Wales The Grey Phalarope is a small, graceful sea bird, looking like a tiny, pale grey and white sandpiper, often seen spinning in circles on water to catch food; in winter, it's a simple grey back and white belly with a dark eye-stripe, while breeding males are duller grey and females have striking chestnut and dark head markings, but always note its slender build, delicate bill, and yellow legs (non-breeding), making it a tiny water dancer you can spot by its distinctive, busy feeding style at sea or coasts.
December 31, 2025 at 10:08 AM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
December 30th ~ Time for the penultimate #HolidayRobin - #FestiveDailyRobin - A real beauty for you today in glorious sunshine at Forest Farm Nature Reserve ~ Cardiff ~ South Wales 🥰 🪶 🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #birdphotography #robin #naturetherapy #ukwildlife #bluesky
A robin is a small, cheerful bird, like a tiny, plump person with a bright, fiery orange-red chest that feels warm and vibrant (like sunshine on your skin) against a soft brown back, with delicate brown wings and a sweet, quick song that's like a cheerful little whistle or bell ringing in the morning, and they hop around, tapping their feet with a quick, precise rhythm, making a light "tick-tick-tick" sound as they look for worms, feeling like a tiny, energetic presence nearby.
December 30, 2025 at 5:47 PM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
#BirdOfTheDay theme today is #branchingout birds on branches, the alternative is #waders set by @alan678.bsky.social ~ Decided after much thought to go with taking the term branching out literally with this sleeping Tawny Owlet 🥰🥰🪶 🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #ukwildlife #EastCoastKin #bluesky
Photo taken at Forest Farm NR - South Wales - April 2023 - Canon R7 A tawny owlet "branching out" is a natural stage (3-4 weeks old) where they leave the nest to explore nearby branches, walking, climbing, and fluttering, often ending up on the ground, but still fed by parents who track them via calls, building crucial mobility before full flight, and they're very camouflaged and feisty, using their claws and beaks to climb back up, not distressed, but very vulnerable to threats like dogs. A tawny owlet is a fluffy, mottled brown ball of feathers, with huge, dark, forward-facing eyes and a small beak, feeling soft and downy, not hard, with powerful little legs and feet for gripping, and a gentle, rustling sound when it moves, using its amazing hearing and night vision to navigate and hunt silently.
December 30, 2025 at 12:58 PM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
December 29th & time for today's #HolidayRobin - #FestiveDailyRobin - Side profile today of a beautiful little fluffed up Robin at Forest Farm Nature Reserve ~ Cardiff ~ South Wales 🥰 🪶 🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #birdphotography #robin #naturetherapy #ukwildlife #bluesky
When it comes to Britain's favourite bird, the robin, the myths, and folklore surrounding it are as colourful as its breast. For centuries, this tiny bird has been the symbol of good luck, happiness, rebirth - and sometimes even as a messenger for lost, loved ones. There are tales stretching back to Norse mythology where the robin is the protector from storms and lightning. And in Celtic folklore the robin is known as the Oak King of Summer.
December 29, 2025 at 9:32 PM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #BirdButts yes, it's the time for 'RearOfTheYear'. The Alternative is #Pigeons set by @robcrank68.bsky.social ~ I've gone for little Jenny Wrens butt 🥰 Photo taken at Abercynon - South Wales - January 2025🪶 🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #ukwildlife #EastCoastKin
A wren is like a tiny, plump, round ball of feathers, a bit like a small, warm, brown pebble that moves fast, with a surprisingly loud, cheerful, trilling song that fills the air even though the bird itself is one of the UK's smallest, often seen darting through bushes with its short tail held up like a little flag, feeling warm and busy in the garden.
December 29, 2025 at 9:13 PM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
December 28th & today's #HolidayRobin - #FestiveDailyRobin ~ Robins are so friendly & one of the easiest birds to photograph, always ready to have a photo taken 📸 🥰 🪶 🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #birdphotography #robin #naturetherapy #ukwildlife #bluesky
Photo taken at Forest Farm Nature Reserve - Cardiff - South Wales When it comes to Britain's favourite bird, the robin, the myths, and folklore surrounding it are as colourful as its breast. For centuries, this tiny bird has been the symbol of good luck, happiness, rebirth - and sometimes even as a messenger for lost, loved ones. There are tales stretching back to Norse mythology where the robin is the protector from storms and lightning. And in Celtic folklore the robin is known as the Oak King of Summer.
December 28, 2025 at 8:22 PM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
Today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme is #serenity a peaceful bird capture scene. The alternative is #favourite one of your favourite bird captures of 2025 set by @alan678.bsky.social ~ One of my favourites from 2025 & the closest I've ever been to a tiny Goldcrest 🤩🪶 🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #EastCoastKin
Photo taken in back garden January 2025 The Goldcrest is Europe's smallest bird, a tiny, fast-moving ball of olive-green feathers with a bright, striking crown (yellow in females, orange in males) and black stripes, known for its high-pitched, flitting calls and busy foraging in conifers for tiny insects, feeling like a flicker of bright colour and sound rather than a solid shape. Incredibly small, about the size of a large thumb or a 20p coin, making it the UK's smallest bird. Mostly dull greyish-green on top, pale whitish underneath, with two distinct white wing bars. (The "Gold" Crest): A vibrant stripe down the middle of the head; yellow in females, but males have a fiery orange centre to their yellow stripe. A plain face with dark eyes, contrasting with the bright crest. Sound: You're more likely to hear it before you see it! Its call is a rapid, high-pitched "deedly-deedly-deedly" or "sip sip" as it flits about, often in flocks with other small birds. Extremely active and constantly moving, flitting among pine needles and branches, making it hard to focus on, says the website. Think of a tiny green fluff ball with a bright, glowing jewel on its head, zipping through trees like a spark, and making delicate, almost insect-like sounds. It's a flash of life and colour, not a solid bird you can easily hold in your mind's eye.
December 28, 2025 at 11:17 AM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
Still a few days left of December for the wonderful Robins and it's time for today's #HolidayRobin - #FestiveDailyRobin 🥰 ~ This little beauty was captured at Forest Farm NR, Cardiff, South Wales 🪶 🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #birdphotography #robin #naturetherapy #ukwildlife #bluesky
December 27, 2025 at 10:15 PM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Outstretched, birds with their wings fully stretched out, and the Alternative is #Red any bird with Red on it set by @robcrank68.bsky.social ~ I've managed to combine both themes today with this stunning Red Kite 🤩🪶 🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #ukwildlife #EastCoastKin
Photo taken over The Vale Of Glamorgan - April 2025 Imagine a large, graceful bird, like a big hawk, but with a body of warm reddish-brown, like rusty copper, a pale grey head with dark streaks, and a striking, deeply forked tail that looks like two points instead of one, used like a rudder as it swoops and glides. It has huge, angled wings, showing patches of white underneath and dark, "fingered" tips when it soars, making it unmistakable as it wheels effortlessly in the sky with a distinctive, thin whistling call.
December 27, 2025 at 11:37 AM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
🎄December 26th🎄& time for today's #HolidayRobin - #FestiveDailyRobin 🥰 ~ Took this photo earlier this year in the garden 🪶 🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #birdphotography #robin #naturetherapy #ukwildlife #bluesky
When it comes to Britain's favourite bird, the robin, the myths, and folklore surrounding it are as colourful as its breast. For centuries, this tiny bird has been the symbol of good luck, happiness, rebirth - and sometimes even as a messenger for lost, loved ones. There are tales stretching back to Norse mythology where the robin is the protector from storms and lightning. And in Celtic folklore the robin is known as the Oak King of Summer.
December 26, 2025 at 8:30 PM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #mostrecent, the last photos you took - set by @alan678.bsky.social ~ took these in the garden today as was testing out a different setting on the Canon R5 ~ Goldfinch & Coal Tit 🪶 🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #birdphotography #naturetherapy #ukwildlife #EastCoastKin
A goldfinch is a small, lively bird known for its bright yellow and black feathers (males in summer), tiny size like a sparrow, and a musical, chattering song, often heard before seen as they flit among thistle or sunflower plants, using their delicate beaks to eat seeds, bringing a cheerful sound and flash of colour. The Coal Tit is a tiny, active bird, smaller than a Blue Tit, with a distinctive black cap, bright white cheeks, and a prominent white patch on the back of its head (nape). It has a grey back, buff-white tummy, and two pale wing bars, feeling delicate and quick as it darts around trees, often found in coniferous woods or gardens, munching seeds.
December 26, 2025 at 5:03 PM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
The #BirdOfTheDay theme today being December 25th is the #HolidayRobin - #FestiveDailyRobin set by @robcrank68.bsky.social ~ 🎄Have A Wonderful Day Everyone🎄 🔔🎅🔔🪶 🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #birdphotography #robin #naturetherapy #ukwildlife #bluesky #EastCoastKin
December 25, 2025 at 2:38 PM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
Time for today's #HolidayRobin - #FestiveDailyRobin ~ It's Christmas Eve & I'd like to wish you all a Wonderful Christmas 🔔🎄🔔🪶 🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #birdphotography #robin #naturetherapy #ukwildlife #bluesky #EastCoastKin
December 24, 2025 at 11:23 PM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
Just a reminder if you are feeding Foxes over Christmas, I thought I would share this out from Fox Angels 🦊 #bluesky #mammals #christmas #fox
December 24, 2025 at 11:36 AM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
🎄It's Christmas Eve🎄 Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #contrast birds that stand out against their background and the alt is #faceoff birds facing camera ~ set by @alan678.bsky.social ~ decided to go with this gorgeous Male Black Redstart🙏❤️🎄🎅🎄🪶 🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #ukwildlife #EastCoastKin
Photo taken at Cardiff City Centre at the Town Hall 2024 The male Black Redstart is a small, energetic bird, like a robin but darker, with a sooty-grey body, black face and throat, a distinct white flash on its dark wings, and a fiery rusty-orange tail that it constantly quivers, often with a dark stripe down the middle, creating a striking contrast against its dark plumage, making it easy to spot even in urban settings.
December 24, 2025 at 8:03 AM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
🎄December 23rd🎄& time for today's #HolidayRobin - #FestiveDailyRobin ~ Beautiful little fluffed up Robin on a cold winter's morning 🥶🥰 ~ Forest Farm NR ~ Cardiff ~ South Wales 🔔🎄🔔🪶 🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #birdphotography #robin #naturetherapy #ukwildlife
When it comes to Britain's favourite bird, the robin, the myths, and folklore surrounding it are as colourful as its breast. For centuries, this tiny bird has been the symbol of good luck, happiness, rebirth - and sometimes even as a messenger for lost, loved ones. There are tales stretching back to Norse mythology where the robin is the protector from storms and lightning. And in Celtic folklore the robin is known as the Oak King of Summer. The robin was voted as Britain's (unofficial) National Bird in 1960, and again in 2015. So, what is it about this little bird that still continues to capture the imagination, and hearts of people? Is it because, for such a tiny bird, it symbolises so much? It was not until Victorian times that the red breasted bird appeared on Christmas cards. They became synonymous with Christmas due to the bright red uniforms worn by Royal Mail posties who were nicknamed 'robins'. In no time, the robin redbreast was seen on cards, holding envelopes in their beaks, or sitting on postboxes, and that tradition continues today. Maybe, there is a link to earlier folklore with the robin being a messenger of good wishes and joy. From good luck to happiness, and feats of bravery, this favourite British bird continues to be highly regarded. The next time you see a robin in your garden, be sure to give them the time of day. You just never know what message they may have for you.
December 23, 2025 at 7:43 PM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
A bit random but passed this fella yesterday on my trek at Aust & I believe this is a Wiltshire Ram ~ he could at least of had a good brush for his photo ~ nice teeth & horns though 🐑 #mammals #wildlife #bluesky #naturephotography #naturetherapy #ukwildlife
A Wiltshire ram is a large, sturdy sheep known for its impressive, spiralled horns and natural wool shedding, feeling coarse but shedding clean as it loses its coat in spring; they have a strong smell, excellent hearing for predators, and a calm, hardy nature, but a specific inherited condition can cause severe night blindness, making them stumble in low light as they age.
December 23, 2025 at 1:48 PM
fraggenstein.bsky.social
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #SideProfiles any 'Birds Side Profile'. The Alternative theme of #BlackBirds set by @robcrank68.bsky.social ~ A rare sighting for South Wales this year with a Male Dotterel at Cwm Cadlan (Brecon) ✅ 😍 🪶 🦉 #birdingWales #ukbirding #ukwildlife #EastCoastKin
A male Eurasian Dotterel is a small, plump bird with a distinctive pattern: grey-brown on top, a bright chestnut (rusty-orange) belly, and a bold white stripe (eyebrow and chest band) that stands out against a dark cap, creating clear, contrasting bands of colour and texture, especially noticeable by touch or by feeling its small, rounded shape.
December 23, 2025 at 8:59 AM