Ali
LightNews LightNews
banner
ali1973.bsky.social
Ali
@ali1973.bsky.social
82 followers 83 following 160 posts
Photography, Wildlife, Birding, Insects, Astronomy
Posts Replies Media Videos
ali1973.bsky.social
A few pictures from today's cold and blustery ramble #birds 🪶
Flock of Lapwing flying in front of a bank of reeds, lit up by the sun. Egyptian Goose in flight against a blank grey sky. Kingfisher sits in amongst a tangle of bare branches. Snipe in flight over pale blue water, it is flying right to left, towards a wooden post that stands in the water.
November 19, 2025 at 9:32 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
#BirdOfTheDay theme #round Here is a fluffed up Reed Bunting looking some what spherical
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social
#birds 🪶
Male Reed Bunting sits on a bare twig. It is quite fluffed up and appears quite round. The background is an out of focus mix of yellowy orange
November 19, 2025 at 7:36 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
#BirdOfTheDay alternative theme #blurry Sometimes you just have completely the wrong settings when a barn owl appears in a gap in the trees... @robcrank68.bsky.social
@alan678.bsky.social #birds 🪶
Horribly overexposed image of a Barn Owl - so bad there are no features on the bird at all and its wing beats are a big blur. It looks like a giant, white blurry bow-tie or albino bat. I am weirdly fond of it.
November 18, 2025 at 2:56 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
Bit late with #BirdOfTheDay theme #staredown but had this encounter recently. Sparrowhawk stares are something else
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social
#birds 🪶
Sparrowhawk perched in the top of a tree. Its head is turned towards the camera and it’s staring right at you with its sulphur yellow predator’s eyes
November 18, 2025 at 7:13 AM
ali1973.bsky.social
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme #shadesofgrey Great Grey Shrike looking sharp in the sun and a portrait of one of my favourite birds Grey Heron
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social
#birds 🪶
Great Grey Shrike sits at the top of a tree. It is a striking bird with bold black white and grey markings and a black eye stripe. Grey Heron stands against blank grey background. Side on with its head lifted a little, its feathers are slightly ruffled
November 16, 2025 at 11:24 AM
ali1973.bsky.social
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme #CootsandMoorhens. Have posted a Coot, so here is a Moorhen, flapping about up some reeds with yellow strands of pollen(?) all over its beak.
@robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social
#birds 🪶
Moorhen standing on reeds, it is up near the top of the green blade-like leaves, flapping its wings as it struggles to keep its balance. There are strands of bright yellow pollen(?) all over its beak.
November 15, 2025 at 4:28 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme #CootsandMoorhens. Here is a Coot chasing after its errant offspring. @robcrank68.bsky.social @alan678.bsky.social #birds 🪶
Coot running after its chick on a muddy bank. They are running right to left and the parent is leaning forward, making a grab with its beak for its fluffy chick.
November 15, 2025 at 3:53 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
Today's Art Challenge there is a #NightmareNovember #unnatural option. This was jabbed onto a branch as I took a stroll through a small wood. Sweet dreams everyone. @handcranked.bsky.social
Small tattered doll's head jabbed onto a stick. Its hair looks like it has been hacked at and it is matted with dirt. Its face is scuffed and battered and it has no eyes - instead the orbits are jammed full with dirt and bits of grit. There is a slight smile on its chubby face.
November 13, 2025 at 7:27 PM
ali1973.bsky.social
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme #ducksoutofwater Here is a Widgeon having a wander. @robcrank68.bsky.social
@alan678.bsky.social
#birds 🪶
Widgeon on a muddy bank, black white and wavey grey on its body, it has a chestnut head with yellow forehead and a blue bill. It is looking down at the ground, most looking for food.
November 13, 2025 at 7:12 PM
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