Days With My Camera

"Lazing on a sunny afternoon!"Doing my best to avoid this heat... I have been hiding indoors with the curtains closed, editing a few old images from my huge archive! Bring on the rain... 

Possibly my favourite ever bird... just love puffins and they will soon be returning to the Farne Islands, for what I hope is a very successful breeding season... fingers crossed...

What a difference a week makes... last weekend it was like the Arctic, with snow, ice and oh so icy winds... This weekend it was like spring had sprung, it was so lovely to see the return of delicate snowdrops, hear the birds singing and the warmth of the sun on my face... happy days! 

It was -2 degrees out in the garden this morning - brrrrrrr!! My feathered friends, especially "Mr Robin" were delighted to see me come out with their breakfast! If you can, please don't forget to put out some food for your garden birds during this extra cold snap & maybe a little extra food late afternoon to help get them through the sub-zero nights. Just as important is fresh water for them to drink & bathe in! Roll on spring!! Take care

Wolf in winter... Had a bit of fun on this dreary afternoon, with my image of this stunning wolf and some digital art! www.lisacockrellphotography.com 

Editing some of the many shots stored on my jam-packed hard drive! The beauty of leopards never ceases to take my breath away... stunning animals! N.B Part of a wildlife collection.

Short-eared owl and full moon... photography & digital art composite...

Every year the blackbirds in my garden look forward to one particular tree coming into fruit. They go absolutely mad for the berries. I liked this image of "Mr Blackbird" sat up amongst the foliage contemplating his next berry feast!

Puffins are absolutely my favourite birds to watch and photograph. They are such adorable birds, so full of charm and character. Puffins are always guaranteed to put a smile on my face. I missed not seeing them this year, but hopefully I will be seeing my feathered friends again in 2021. Meanwhile, here is a newly edited image from my last trip to the Farne Islands in 2018... Happy Days!

Kestrel - portrait of a master hunter! Just stunning birds to photograph... I am still wading through my hard drive looking for hidden gems. This beautiful bird is part of a wildlife collection...

I just love frogs, their eyes are just stunning, totally mesmerising! I have spent the last couple of sweltering hot days sharing the coolest part of the garden with these guys. I think they were really glad to see a few showers and cooler temperatures today!!

Good weather for ducks... good for the garden, but sunshine please come back soon!

My garden blackbirds have had a very successful year so far. So many parents feeding their hungry fledglings, which make themselves know with the high-pitched screech, which translates from blackbird speak as "FEED ME NOW!!!" This particular fledgling, now old enough to feed itself, is my new BFF, especially when I am out feeding the birds in the morning! It is like having a feathered shadow, I look round and there it is! Certainly is in fine fettle, and definitely had more than its fair share of the food. So beautiful to see and brings a guaranteed smile to my face! Good luck out in the big wide world little one...

www.lisacockrellphotography.com

Had a lovely Earth Day here in sunny Essex, yesterday. Heard the exquisite tones of a nightingale whilst out taking my daily exercise - heart-breakingly beautiful! Meanwhile back in my garden... my ubiquitous & omni-present garden robin (imaginatively called "Mr Robin") had good reason to be proud of himself... two/possibly three new family members. So lucky to catch a glimpse of them & take a quick pic (all on a long lens). Also, saw my first Holly Blue butterfly of the year in the garden too. Nature on my doorstep make the highlights of my day!

To all the mums who were waved at and blown kisses through windows, or who had presents, flowers, chocolates & cards left outside their doors today, or who had Mother’s Day wishes via a phone call or social media. To all those mums who are no longer with us... we LOVE you all... x

I am working on a new website at the moment and looking back on some wonderful years of wildlife photography. I always love finding a few “hidden gems” along the way. This Harris’s Hawk was just stunning. Part of a wildlife collection. Back to trawling through my hard drive to see what else I can find!!!