Tony Allen-Mills
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taminf.bsky.social
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
Snow Red - another autumn to winter transition.

#photography #stunday #trees
"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
January 8, 2026 at 9:45 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
January 8, 2026 at 8:18 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
January 7, 2026 at 8:04 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
January 6, 2026 at 8:07 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
January 5, 2026 at 9:50 AM
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
January 4, 2026 at 1:34 PM
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
January 4, 2026 at 10:23 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
January 3, 2026 at 9:22 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
January 2, 2026 at 9:54 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
January 2, 2026 at 8:30 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
January 1, 2026 at 10:19 AM
New Year's greetings to all on a gorgeous morning in the French Alps.

#photography #winter
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
December 31, 2025 at 10:39 AM
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
December 30, 2025 at 4:12 PM
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
December 29, 2025 at 11:32 AM
The gates to (winter) paradise...

#France #photography
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
December 28, 2025 at 12:25 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
December 27, 2025 at 1:28 PM
I don't know about you, but in the depths of winter, I dream of summer #BlueSkyArtShow #Holiday

#photography #scape
December 27, 2025 at 8:55 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
December 26, 2025 at 10:27 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
December 26, 2025 at 8:44 AM
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
December 25, 2025 at 12:43 PM
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
December 24, 2025 at 9:49 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
December 23, 2025 at 8:56 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
December 22, 2025 at 7:30 AM