Tony Allen-Mills
@taminf.bsky.social
Former foreign correspondent retired to the mountains of France, where I’ve (mostly) hung up my pen and picked up a camera. Veteran traveller, now focused on landscapes, birds, dragon- and butterflies with the odd urban scene thrown in.
Pinned
"You calling me shortie?" It looks like an English Coal tit, but it's actually an American Chickadee, posing nicely for the #Shortbeaks theme by @robcrank68.bsky.social for today's #BirdoftheDay
#photography #Birds
#photography #Birds
January 8, 2026 at 9:45 AM
"You calling me shortie?" It looks like an English Coal tit, but it's actually an American Chickadee, posing nicely for the #Shortbeaks theme by @robcrank68.bsky.social for today's #BirdoftheDay
#photography #Birds
#photography #Birds
For the #SunriseorSunset theme of today's #PalacesandGardens by @sabineshutterbug.bsky.social, here's the gatehouse to the Topkapi palace in Istanbul. It's a little after sunset, but I hope Sabine forgives me....
#photography #urbangaze
#photography #urbangaze
January 8, 2026 at 8:18 AM
For the #SunriseorSunset theme of today's #PalacesandGardens by @sabineshutterbug.bsky.social, here's the gatehouse to the Topkapi palace in Istanbul. It's a little after sunset, but I hope Sabine forgives me....
#photography #urbangaze
#photography #urbangaze
It's been down to -10C here this week. Even the garden Robin that hates me has been posing nicely with the seeds I put out each morning. For the #FoodFinds theme for #BirdoftheDay by
@alan678.bsky.social
#photography #birds
It's been down to -10C here this week. Even the garden Robin that hates me has been posing nicely with the seeds I put out each morning. For the #FoodFinds theme for #BirdoftheDay by
@alan678.bsky.social
#photography #birds
January 7, 2026 at 8:04 AM
It's been down to -10C here this week. Even the garden Robin that hates me has been posing nicely with the seeds I put out each morning. For the #FoodFinds theme for #BirdoftheDay by
@alan678.bsky.social
#photography #birds
It's been down to -10C here this week. Even the garden Robin that hates me has been posing nicely with the seeds I put out each morning. For the #FoodFinds theme for #BirdoftheDay by
@alan678.bsky.social
#photography #birds
For the #BlackandWhite theme by @robcrank68.bsky.social for today's #BirdoftheDay, here's a Black-necked Stilt. It didn't move as I appeared and may have been guarding its eggs (photo taken in April).
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
January 6, 2026 at 8:07 AM
For the #BlackandWhite theme by @robcrank68.bsky.social for today's #BirdoftheDay, here's a Black-necked Stilt. It didn't move as I appeared and may have been guarding its eggs (photo taken in April).
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
"You want spots? I got spots". My favourite Northern Flicker puffs out its #speckles&spots for today's #BirdoftheDay theme by @alan678.bsky.social
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
January 5, 2026 at 9:50 AM
"You want spots? I got spots". My favourite Northern Flicker puffs out its #speckles&spots for today's #BirdoftheDay theme by @alan678.bsky.social
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
It takes more than a blizzard to stop a little Downy woodpecker from pecking at wood... for the #snowy theme of today's #BirdoftheDay by @alan678.bsky.social
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
January 4, 2026 at 1:34 PM
It takes more than a blizzard to stop a little Downy woodpecker from pecking at wood... for the #snowy theme of today's #BirdoftheDay by @alan678.bsky.social
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
Not a lot of snow over our corner of France - but it's plenty cold enough (-7C today) for rock pools to perform their iced abstract magic
#photography #winter
#photography #winter
January 4, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Not a lot of snow over our corner of France - but it's plenty cold enough (-7C today) for rock pools to perform their iced abstract magic
#photography #winter
#photography #winter
I'll go with the #birdsofprey theme by @alan678.bsky.social for today's #BirdoftheDay. Here's a beady-eyed Osprey trying to decide if an annoying photographer is worthwhile prey (he was perched on a mast next to a rough seas warning flag)...
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
January 3, 2026 at 9:22 AM
I'll go with the #birdsofprey theme by @alan678.bsky.social for today's #BirdoftheDay. Here's a beady-eyed Osprey trying to decide if an annoying photographer is worthwhile prey (he was perched on a mast next to a rough seas warning flag)...
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
The #BirdoftheDay themes by @robcrank68.bsky.social are #GoodLight or #Gulls. I was very tempted by a gull in good light for double points, but can't resist this Tufted Titmouse nicely backlit as it spreads for landing.
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
January 2, 2026 at 9:54 AM
The #BirdoftheDay themes by @robcrank68.bsky.social are #GoodLight or #Gulls. I was very tempted by a gull in good light for double points, but can't resist this Tufted Titmouse nicely backlit as it spreads for landing.
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
The first #FireHydrantFriday of the year deserves a special appliance. Here's a magnificent rural French specimen that has lost its cover, acquired some rust but is still functional...
#photography
#photography
January 2, 2026 at 8:30 AM
The first #FireHydrantFriday of the year deserves a special appliance. Here's a magnificent rural French specimen that has lost its cover, acquired some rust but is still functional...
#photography
#photography
Some birds just seem somehow more noble in #B&W, the first theme of the year by @alan678.bsky.social for #BirdoftheDay. Here's a Bald Ibis showing off its imperial collar.
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
January 1, 2026 at 10:19 AM
Some birds just seem somehow more noble in #B&W, the first theme of the year by @alan678.bsky.social for #BirdoftheDay. Here's a Bald Ibis showing off its imperial collar.
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
January 1, 2026 at 9:05 AM
Here's a slightly different take on the #reflections theme by @robcrank68.bsky.social for today's #BirdoftheDay. I caught this cormorant against the reflected colours of a large marquee across the lagoon. I liked the way its eyes and beak matched the colours on the water.
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
December 31, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Here's a slightly different take on the #reflections theme by @robcrank68.bsky.social for today's #BirdoftheDay. I caught this cormorant against the reflected colours of a large marquee across the lagoon. I liked the way its eyes and beak matched the colours on the water.
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
I'm late to the #BirdoftheDay party today but luckily @alan678.bsky.social chose a theme that didn't need too much archive excavation. Here's a Green Heron #branchingout.
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
December 30, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I'm late to the #BirdoftheDay party today but luckily @alan678.bsky.social chose a theme that didn't need too much archive excavation. Here's a Green Heron #branchingout.
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
You won't see many #Birdbutts like this one - unless you happen to be a French chicken. For today's #BirdoftheDay theme by @robcrank68.bsky.social
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
December 29, 2025 at 11:32 AM
You won't see many #Birdbutts like this one - unless you happen to be a French chicken. For today's #BirdoftheDay theme by @robcrank68.bsky.social
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
December 29, 2025 at 8:47 AM
A pair of swans glides effortlessly across a still pond for the #serenity theme by @alan678.bsky.social for #BirdoftheDay
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
December 28, 2025 at 12:25 PM
A pair of swans glides effortlessly across a still pond for the #serenity theme by @alan678.bsky.social for #BirdoftheDay
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
I've seen a lot of Red Kites doubling up on Rob's #BirdoftheDay themes today so I'll join in the twofer fun with the #red legs and bill on an #outstretched Black-headed gull, preparing to dive on a tasty morsel below.
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
December 27, 2025 at 1:28 PM
I've seen a lot of Red Kites doubling up on Rob's #BirdoftheDay themes today so I'll join in the twofer fun with the #red legs and bill on an #outstretched Black-headed gull, preparing to dive on a tasty morsel below.
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
I don't know about you, but in the depths of winter, I dream of summer #BlueSkyArtShow #Holiday
#photography #scape
#photography #scape
December 27, 2025 at 8:55 AM
I don't know about you, but in the depths of winter, I dream of summer #BlueSkyArtShow #Holiday
#photography #scape
#photography #scape
My #mostrecent shot for #BirdoftheDay is, inevitably, our garden Robin. Sadly, unlike @alan678.bsky.social's perky little friend, ours hates me and hides if it sees my camera. My latest attempt was shot through kitchen window glass, so apologies for quality (or lack of it)
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
December 26, 2025 at 10:27 AM
My #mostrecent shot for #BirdoftheDay is, inevitably, our garden Robin. Sadly, unlike @alan678.bsky.social's perky little friend, ours hates me and hides if it sees my camera. My latest attempt was shot through kitchen window glass, so apologies for quality (or lack of it)
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
For the last #FireHydrantFriday of the year, I shall immodestly offer that rarest of selfies - a fire hydrant and me. Thanks to all my fellow hydrant watchers for their sterling efforts in documenting so vital yet unsung a feature of human civilisation.
#photography
#photography
December 26, 2025 at 8:44 AM
For the last #FireHydrantFriday of the year, I shall immodestly offer that rarest of selfies - a fire hydrant and me. Thanks to all my fellow hydrant watchers for their sterling efforts in documenting so vital yet unsung a feature of human civilisation.
#photography
#photography
I rather suspected that @robcrank68.bsky.social might go with #HolidayRobin for his Christmas #BirdoftheDay. I was saving my only decent Robin shot... Happy Christmas everyone, and special thanks to Rob and all on BlueSky for making my online bird-watching such fun
#Photography #Birds
#Photography #Birds
December 25, 2025 at 12:43 PM
I rather suspected that @robcrank68.bsky.social might go with #HolidayRobin for his Christmas #BirdoftheDay. I was saving my only decent Robin shot... Happy Christmas everyone, and special thanks to Rob and all on BlueSky for making my online bird-watching such fun
#Photography #Birds
#Photography #Birds
Ooh, I've been waiting for a #faceoff theme for one of my favourite pics - a dainty Tufted Titmouse offering simply the most elegant pose at the feeder. Today's #BirdoftheDay by @alan678.bsky.social, to whom many thanks for his efforts on behalf of Bluesky's bird fans this year.
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
December 24, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Ooh, I've been waiting for a #faceoff theme for one of my favourite pics - a dainty Tufted Titmouse offering simply the most elegant pose at the feeder. Today's #BirdoftheDay by @alan678.bsky.social, to whom many thanks for his efforts on behalf of Bluesky's bird fans this year.
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
I'm going for the extra points again, doubling up on today's themes for #BirdoftheDay by @robcrank68.bsky.social. Here's a rather sinister-looking Black Vulture that fits both #Sideprofiles and #BlackBirds.
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
December 23, 2025 at 8:56 AM
I'm going for the extra points again, doubling up on today's themes for #BirdoftheDay by @robcrank68.bsky.social. Here's a rather sinister-looking Black Vulture that fits both #Sideprofiles and #BlackBirds.
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
Alan's #BirdoftheDay theme today is #Christmasshopping. No wait, I've got that wrong - that's what he's reminded me I've got to get done today. He wants a #grounded bird. Here's a Red-tailed hawk from the badlands of South Dakota.
#photography #birds
#photography #birds
December 22, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Alan's #BirdoftheDay theme today is #Christmasshopping. No wait, I've got that wrong - that's what he's reminded me I've got to get done today. He wants a #grounded bird. Here's a Red-tailed hawk from the badlands of South Dakota.
#photography #birds
#photography #birds