Love it! Thanks for posting this Ron. 😊

@Ronald
Lovely sounds on a beautiful morning.

My morning breakfast includes listening to the birds in my area. The song sparrow is one that is very pleasant and regularly rests on the upper parts of the chestnut tree.

I tried calling him in and caught this photo of him looking my way.

Despite showing interest neither the robins or blue tits decided to use the nest boxes this year. So two types of bumble bees have decided to take up residence and have been there for some weeks now. But the blue tit box is on the side of the shed and being later than the blue tits would use it is catching the afternoon sun and getting hot - the bees could be heard buzzing and you would see one at the entrance buzzing away to lower the temperature. During the last hot spell we positioned one of the garden parasols over it but need that to cool the rear of the house now.

So I first put a sheet of ply on the shed roof held down with house bricks to provide shade and then draped a wet towel over the box - the buzzing has stopped so seems to be working.

Chris

Been back to the lake after 31/2 weeks to see how the cygnets are getting on. One less and down to six now but they are of a size where they should be OK.

Nice lake but getting more and more overgrown, no good for boating!

Spot the "missing" cygnet in the first photo!

Chris

Blackburian Warbler

Blue Indigo

Yes I experience that too, so frustrating! There is a Blue Indigo in 2nd video and the first one has a North American Robin and the one in the tree is a Blackburian Warbler

😁

@Ronald The Merlin bird app is great isn't it. I regularly put it on if my wife and I are out for a walk, or even just sat in the garden. We have used the photo i.d option once or twice as well.

Will

I have Merlin bird app on my phone. I have called in various birds to where I am at including a Bald Eagle! I stopped at that experience. Though recently I was playing the call of a juvenile American Gold Finch and was amazed with the response.

The other day I had not called any birds but the male specie was doing his thing and six showed up.

@ChrisF I do love a Wren, it's one of my favourite birds, I love seeing them around the garden, or down the lane to my Mums house.

@RNinMunich
I guess I never thought of it that way.
But .... yeah ... I guess one could call it that. 🤣
Dave
Here is a link to a great YouTube video discussing the Loon's "Wail" (call).
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D4ENNzjy8QjU&ved=2ahUKEwjF59iYh-KUAxUghisGHeXlCCkQwqsBegQIGBAB&sqi=2&usg=AOvVaw0v1lY5gCc880KW47MXkC-b

@DWBrinkman "We love listening to their calls."
What you might call 'Loony tunes' Dave🤣

😎

Young wren in the garden this morning. Parent wasn't far away!

@ChrisF
That's great!
Thanks for the pics!
Dave

Ah, cute, that's a great photo Dave.

As it happens, I went to a lake in the grounds of a hotel a few miles away first thing this morning, as my sis-in-law mentioned that the swans had got a few cygnets. They have grown up a bit now and unfortunately reduced from 10 to 7. Managed to get some nice shots of them and some other birds.

Chris

One of my "Lake Neighbors" just had a baby!

We are lucky enough to have 2 pair of nesting Loons on our lake, We love listening to their calls.

Dave B

Two of the three sibling cubs from the winter of 2024 up behind the cabin today. They're not really cubs anymore as each weighs in at about 80 to 100 pounds. The third cub was a few yards off. Their mother gave them boot sometime in 2025, but they've remained together; which isn't unusual. It'll only be a bit longer before they go their own way.

What amazing animals, Jumpugly.

Coyotes and the Bobcat are back.

Thanks so much Dave!

Beautiful photo Chris!

My little friend is happy to pose!

Great pictures. Simply Beautiful.

Just steps away from the traffic and smog of the city.
Here are some images of the Rio Scuro stream, thirty minutes from my house.

A ghostly pack of coyotes patrolling my boss’s yard caught on my game camera not too long ago. It’s unusual to see them traveling in packs in suburbia, barely 40 miles from New York City!

Hi Chris, we call it "Folaga" but the scientific name of the genus is "Fulica."
I'm not sure which of the ten living species of the Fulica genus this one is (for example, a Fulica armillata or a Fulica cornuta).
Can you identify it?
I think it's a Fulica atra.

Moorhen family.

Who needs water-skis! 😀

Yes, I was able to sneak up very well and stood only 1 meter away. He noticed me immediately after I took the photo and then he was gone.

Yes, Wolle, the common kestrel [falco tinnunculus]—known in Italian as "Gheppio"—is small but deadly with its unmistakable colors.
Bravo for managing to photograph it.
Raptors are wonderful birds.

You did well there, normally they are off like a shot. But I suppose it didn't want to leave its meal!

Birds of prey are lovely birds but it's a shame when the sparrowhawks that visit our garden take a bird.

I snuck out past the kestrel. It had just eaten another bird.

Not my photo in this case as I misplaced my Cooper’s, as well as my local Red Tails. I will find them! More to follow. 😉

Thank you for the kind words Alessandro!

Yes, I was interested in it as well. A nice looking bird!

Hi Jumpugly, your hideout is fantastic, full of interesting models, but this time I was fascinated by the Cooper's hawk (Accipiter Cooperii). Is that a photo you took?
You have a very rich and diverse fauna, beautiful.

All Good Lew!
👍😉

Jump, et al.,

As not everyone is interested in model truck building I will create a build blog for the semi tractor - lowboy trailer and post info there.

Building this rig involves a lot of practices similar to those used in RC model boat building, direction, speed, sound, lights, and operational accessories.

Look for it soon as I am going to try to get the semi tractor done while the "cool" weather is upon us.

Lew

Ah, 3D printing! Just finished the transfer case to power the front wheels as well.

Lew

Keep those semi pix coming Lew!
😊😉

Hello Jump. The temperature here got down to almost freezing. Been living in Florida too long and I guess my blood is too thin". And the cold really affects me.

About 2 years ago I bought two 1/16 scale toy model low boy tractor trailer. As you were says these operating scale units are expensive. However I paid less than $30 each on a sale. Finally getting around to make them radio controlled. Parts like Wheels etc from the 2nd will be used to update the model with more wheels and axles.

I even have another radio for it. Kind of old, but it's still a 2.4 Futaba 6 channel radio. Paid $50 for it and it has everything, batteries, four servos, charger in barely used condition.

This will go very well with my 1/16 scale armor, and my 1/16 scale Springers.

Lew

More brick laying in the basement. I am sure that even the Cooper's Hawk thinks I'm nuts!!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂

Hey there Colin!!! Good to see Ya'!
Lew! Up Connecticut we are freezing our asses off. 9 degrees isn't cutting it for me! Praying for Spring to come quickly or, at the very least, some moderating temperatures.
Fortunately the sun-house I built for my wife (last photo and finished on Christmas Eve) has worked out well and has been great in fighting her "seasonal affective disorder" during this brutal winter. It's fully insulated and I ran the electric to it. With a six foot electrical "plug-in style baseboard heater and with a bit of sun we can get the temperature up to 65 degrees in there and she loves it. With a bird feeder just outside the windows, the locals put on a great show...although the ever present Red-Tailed and Cooper's Hawks keep a watchful eye on the place. Local Cooper's in the first photo.

And, as always, I've got my projects down in the shop....The K-7 is awaiting a new canopy, decals and first test runs, I still haven't gotten to the dreaded rigging on the Pacific Trader, and the Dumas Pay-n-Pak hydroplane's warped lumber has been a brick laying battle, but fun all the same!

PS: Dying to build a Semi in 1/16th scale!!!!! But they are incredibly expensive these days! Will have to save my nickels and dimes. Keep us posted on the RC conversion!
😉👍

Colin, I hope good things will happen to you in the near future. Looks like you've got your plate full.
As for us I guess we asked too much for cool weather. Not much in model boating going on lately in our area. Very unusual. Already missed three meets and tomorrow will be the fourth, including me being sick missing one.
A good chance to catch up on things that need to be done, especially getting the house back in order, and doing some model fix up. I am currently working on modifying a 1/16 scale toy semi trailer into RC control.
This is a good scale and it matches my Springers and my armor.
To all of you in the northern hemisphere I hope you stay warm.
Lew

Hi Colin, great to hear from you. Wishing you all the best. Similar situation here as well so can appreciate where you're at. Take care.

I've posted a number of "nature" pictures, but I don't believe I've posted any of our dog.
This is Hudson, a 10 year old Morkie.
This past October we inherited him from our daughter.
She has a very demanding job, and also a 1 year old child. Her relatively new husband came with a large rambunctious dog as well.
She was struggling to keep up, so we volunteered to take Hudson and give him the life he deserves.
We had "dogsat" him many times over the years, so coming to live with us was not stressful for him.
He is now the master of the house ....
Dave

Hi Colin, knowing you're here and reading the posts is comforting and pleasant for me, even if you don't actively participate.
It's strange to say, but I have a lot of respect for you. It's strange because I don't know you, but I'm basing my opinion on your comments and the posts you've made so far.

I knew you were a lover of animals and reptiles because we'd talked about them, and your profile picture/avatar speaks volumes.

I love Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps) and I've discovered that many get sick from overfeeding.

It's understandable that you can't actively devote yourself to modeling, but that's more than understandable given your family situation. In any case, you remain a pillar of this forum.

Dear Colin, I wish you much happiness and serenity.

Good evening Alessandro and other fellow boaters.
Yes I am still around although not able to do any modelling at present, family health problems keeping me away from my workshop, hopefully it will get better in the near future.
Now I must say I agree 👍 with you about the reptiles, having had many over the years.
My personal favourite was my Bearded Dragon, she was rescued with major health issues, only 3 legs and missing some toes.
She was a real character and would often sit on my shoulder watching TV in the evenings. Or on my dogs back sunbathing by the window.
We often rescue injured animals from road accidents, and our local vet always approves.
I may not be active on here at present, but I'm always watching and reading the posts.
Cheers Colin.

Hi ColinH, nice to hear you're here on the forum.

Hi Wolle, it's a "gargoyle gecko," its scientific name (and therefore unique and universal) is Rhacodactylus auriculatus.
It's native to New Caledonia, but has been successfully bred in Italy for some time and is never captured from the wild.
It's not afraid of humans and will even let you pick it up without running away.

Yes, Wolle, sorry, I checked. In English, it's actually called a "hump-headed gecko." The term "gargoyle" is used only in Italy because its head is distinctive and resembles some gargoyle statues.