February 2006

I wasn't able to get out much this month and when I did manage to get some free time the weather was not very inspiring, so photographic opportunities were rather limited. I did, however, catch up with the local Waxwing flock that was hanging around on the north side of Tranent. The sunshine didn't last very long and they weren't a very cooperative bunch, but I still managed to get a couple of decent shots.

Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) - Tranent, Lothian

Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) - Tranent, Lothian

Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) - Tranent, Lothian

Since I didn't get many new photos this month, I thought I'd fill up this page with some of the older, pre-digital photos I have been scanning the last couple of months for the world bird galleries. All of the photos below are from the 3 year period I was living in the United States and were taken within a 50 mile radius of where I was staying in Maryland.

Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) - May 2002

Northern Cardinals are common garden birds in Maryland and we were lucky enough to have 2 pairs of these gorgeous birds in our garden. They definitely brighten up the cold winter days!

Male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) - February 2000

In the winter the Cardinals were joined by numerous White-throated Sparrows.

Female Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) & White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

Song Sparrows were common in the garden all year round.

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) - February 2000

Blue Jays, although common, were a lot more wary. This one was photographed from my bedroom window.

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) - April 2000

The photo below is from the first roll of film I took with my 600mm lens. A massive difference in sharpness compared to the little Sigma 500mm I had before.

Slate-coloured Junco (Junco hyemalis) - January 2000

After this short blast from the past it will hopefully be back to normal next month...

January 2006

2006 Diary Index

March 2006