Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 3:02 pm Post subject: New hobby
Recently I have been quite busy practising my new hobby, i.e. birdwatching. I'm at the early stage so I'm using a non-professional equipment, i.e. binoculars, camera, and my knowledge is also very limited. I have recently ordered a good guide book to identify European species of birds. The one I am currently using is a little bit old-fashioned - it contains drawings instead of images and sometimes it is quite difficult to correctly identify a bird. Fortunately, I have some friends who are ornithologists and recently I have registered to the birdwatcher's forum - they are very helpful.
Below I'm posting some pictures I have taken in a nearby pond in my town. Sorry for non-professional quality, but it is neither my goal to take 'artistic' pictures nor to be a 'professional' in what I do. I just enjoy the fact that I can have some rest outdoor, watch the birds, listen to the bird songs, learn new things about the nature surrounding me...
Mute swan (Cygnus olor)
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Another mute swan:
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Common coot (Fulica atra)
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Common Goldeneye (female) (Bucephala clangula)
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This is not a bird but still... very nice creature
Must be a wonder ful hobby! A few weeks ago, when I went to the small town of Vanzylsrus near the Botswana border, I sat early in the morning on the balcony of my chalet, drinking coffee, and watching the birds about. It was fascinating. I saw some birds I've never seen before in my life. _________________ Toe ek jonk was, het ek al die antwoorde geken. Nou verstaan ek nie eens die vrae nie.
Must be a wonder ful hobby! A few weeks ago, when I went to the small town of Vanzylsrus near the Botswana border, I sat early in the morning on the balcony of my chalet, drinking coffee, and watching the birds about. It was fascinating. I saw some birds I've never seen before in my life.
Well, I would never dare to compare Poland and South Africa in terms of abundance of wildlife - wild birds seem to be an exception. Still, I think that when your purpose is just to enjoy the fact of being in contact with nature, sometimes even sparrows can be fascinating. When it starts to be a professional thing, not to mention competition (for example: "how many rare species' individuals have you seen this year?") than it loses its charm. But still it's like killing two birds (sic!) with one stone - you can take some rest and learn something at the same time. One example: in my town there are (at least) two species of wild pigeons (plus feral pigeons which are in fact an urban form of domestic pigeon). Until recently I was unable to distinguish them - now I can do it both by watching and hearing them.
I wonder, however, how my new hobby is going to develop. Whether it will turn out to be a short-lived enthusiasm or maybe it will become something serious. For the next two weeks I'm rather busy so I will only have time to visit the surroundings. In 2 or 3 weeks I will go for one day to a wild bird sanctuary located in the nature reserve some 25 km from where I live.
Location: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Angeles del Río de Porciúncula
Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 8:36 pm Post subject:
Good luck on your new hobby, KSa! I guess how long you can keep up your enthusiasm with birdwatching depends on how varied and extensive your subjects are and how far you're willing to go to expand your range.
Must be a wonder ful hobby! A few weeks ago, when I went to the small town of Vanzylsrus near the Botswana border, I sat early in the morning on the balcony of my chalet, drinking coffee, and watching the birds about. It was fascinating. I saw some birds I've never seen before in my life.
Well, I would never dare to compare Poland and South Africa in terms of abundance of wildlife - wild birds seem to be an exception. Still, I think that when your purpose is just to enjoy the fact of being in contact with nature, sometimes even sparrows can be fascinating.
Exactly. I've found that over the past year after moving to a small town. Suddenly I see sunsets again, I'm aware of animals and birds around me, and appreciate the beauty of it again. In the city, you lose track of that. _________________ Toe ek jonk was, het ek al die antwoorde geken. Nou verstaan ek nie eens die vrae nie.
Location: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Angeles del Río de Porciúncula
Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 9:08 pm Post subject:
Well, I think I'm starting to get the hang of my on-again-off-again-and-back-on-again hobby-- houseplants! After getting off to a rocky start and witnessing the sad, slow demise of my ficus, gardenia, dumbcane, and even my easy-to-manage philodendron plants, I've managed to get my replacement ficus and replacement gardenia plant to bloom and thrive! So, feeling confident, I went out and bought more plants...
a croton
and a sansevieria (aka mother-in-law's tongue)
And now I'm itching to buy more for my balcony and front entrance landing.
Well, I think I'm starting to get the hang of my on-again-off-again-and-back-on-again hobby-- houseplants! After getting off to a rocky start and witnessing the sad, slow demise of my ficus, gardenia, dumbcane, and even my easy-to-manage philodendron plants, I've managed to get my replacement ficus and replacement gardenia plant to bloom and thrive! So, feeling confident, I went out and bought more plants...
a croton
and a sansevieria (aka mother-in-law's tongue)
And now I'm itching to buy more for my balcony and front entrance landing.
I've come to accept the fact that I'm not a gardener. Plants seem to commit suicide when they see me coming. _________________ Toe ek jonk was, het ek al die antwoorde geken. Nou verstaan ek nie eens die vrae nie.
I've come to accept the fact that I'm not a gardener. Plants seem to commit suicide when they see me coming.
Maybe it's your withering sense of humor.
You mean the plants don't appreciate it when I say to a cactus?: Stand up straight, you little daisy!!! _________________ Toe ek jonk was, het ek al die antwoorde geken. Nou verstaan ek nie eens die vrae nie.
Location: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Angeles del Río de Porciúncula
Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 8:33 pm Post subject:
André in Zuid-Afrika wrote:
Elaine wrote:
André in Zuid-Afrika wrote:
I've come to accept the fact that I'm not a gardener. Plants seem to commit suicide when they see me coming.
Maybe it's your withering sense of humor.
You mean the plants don't appreciate it when I say to a cactus?: Stand up straight, you little daisy!!!
No, the cacti don't appreciate it when you sneer at them and say, "My my, we're in a prickly mood today!" It hurts their feelings when you needle them like that.
I've come to accept the fact that I'm not a gardener. Plants seem to commit suicide when they see me coming.
Maybe it's your withering sense of humor.
You mean the plants don't appreciate it when I say to a cactus?: Stand up straight, you little daisy!!!
No, the cacti don't appreciate it when you sneer at them and say, "My my, we're in a prickly mood today!" It hurts their feelings when you needle them like that.
Hm, maybe I have too many butch plants in my garden... I need more of the flowery type then.... But the thing with them is, they tend to try to be prrrrrrruuuuuuttttttttyyyyyyyy alll of the time.... _________________ Toe ek jonk was, het ek al die antwoorde geken. Nou verstaan ek nie eens die vrae nie.
Well, I think I'm starting to get the hang of my on-again-off-again-and-back-on-again hobby-- houseplants! After getting off to a rocky start and witnessing the sad, slow demise of my ficus, gardenia, dumbcane, and even my easy-to-manage philodendron plants, I've managed to get my replacement ficus and replacement gardenia plant to bloom and thrive! So, feeling confident, I went out and bought more plants...
Elaine,
Very nice hobby. In my house I have 4 plants but I don't know the names. Maybe I will take pictures and upload them so that you or anyone else could identify them.
The plant "mother-in-law's tongue I once had but was unaware of the name.
I've been doing it on and off now for 5 years myself. Make sure you invest in some good binoculars and a few good bird books. I make sure I take them whenever I travel. Thanks for the photos, the pheasant in particular looks stunning.
You should come to Australia if you love birdwatching, you'll seriously love it. Especially Kakadu national park; I went there over Xmas and saw about 6 species of birds within a 3 minute walk...
That should be fun for you, KSa! I don't do much more than glance at the birds in my yard, but I still enjoy them -- there is nothing cuter than a single-file line of little Gambel's quail scuttling across the road, or tiny hummingbirds flitting around my honesuckles! I also have several gnerations of swallows that nest on my front porch -- one nest is right above the front door, and they always give me dirty looks whenever I go in and out, and the other nest is on my motion-detector lightbulb, which I guess I won't be replacing this season.... We also have various little songbirds, roadrunners, big-ass Chihuahuan ravens, hawks, white-winged doves, cute little burrow owls, and once I saw a turkey vulture munching on something by the side of the road -- enormous bird!
I'm terrible with houseplants, Elaine -- they live in fear of me -- but I think I'm finally getting the hang of this outside gardening thing. I planted all kinds of cool flowers this spring, and a number of tomatoes and herbs -- it being tax season and all recently, I wondered if I could justify applying for a federal farm subsidy. _________________ An apple a day....
I've been doing it on and off now for 5 years myself.
Hi Rio!
I'm glad there is someone else on this forum doing it fairly regularly! I hope for fruitful cooperation in exchanging experience and pictures.
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Make sure you invest in some good binoculars and a few good bird books. I make sure I take them whenever I travel. Thanks for the photos, the pheasant in particular looks stunning.
Well, I've invested some money already but not as much as I would like. My ambition is not to be a professional photographer of nature - my pictures are just for documentation of what I've seen plus sharing with experienced birdwatchers when I'm unable to identify the species. My camera is a good non-professional digital Canon with optical zoom 10X and 8 MP. I think it's enough for amateurish purpose. As for binoculars - I recently threw out my good old Russian binoculars which I was using for 20 years. It was unfortunately not suitable for birdwatching (optical parameters 7x35). I have bought a standard binoculars for watching birds, i.e. 10x50 (Delta Optical Entry). It's not professional, cost me the equivalent of 100 US dollars. When I see that my passion is developing into something more serious I'll invest in better binoculars. I'm also waiting for shipment of "Collins Bird Guide The Most Complete Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe " that I've recently ordered via internet- I've been told this is the best guide currently available.
Quote:
You should come to Australia if you love birdwatching, you'll seriously love it. Especially Kakadu national park; I went there over Xmas and saw about 6 species of birds within a 3 minute walk...
When I happen to be in Australia one day I'll not forget to take binoculars and camera with me!
That should be fun for you, KSa! I don't do much more than glance at the birds in my yard, but I still enjoy them
What I especially like about birdwatching is that the birdwatchers vary from those (like you) who don't do more than glance at the birds in their yard from time to time, without any special equipment, to semi-professional ornithologists, equipped with professional binoculars, expensive cameras, attending ornithological camps, ringing birds and possesing extensive knowledge of bird species.
The indication of whether you are or aren't a birdwatcher is whether you enjoy it or not.
Quote:
there is nothing cuter than a single-file line of little Gambel's quail scuttling across the road, or tiny hummingbirds flitting around my honesuckles! I also have several gnerations of swallows that nest on my front porch -- one nest is right above the front door, and they always give me dirty looks whenever I go in and out, and the other nest is on my motion-detector lightbulb, which I guess I won't be replacing this season.... We also have various little songbirds, roadrunners, big-ass Chihuahuan ravens, hawks, white-winged doves, cute little burrow owls, and once I saw a turkey vulture munching on something by the side of the road -- enormous bird!
NIGHTINGALE - it's hard to find a better singer in my region. This is probably the thrush nightingale (Luscinia luscinia); there are two very similar species (thrush nightingale and common nightingale) which are most likely to be distinguish by comparing their singing.
Not my picture, but these are cute little gambel's quail:
They have handsome markings, and tend to hurry around in small groups, single file, like they are very late for their bus, little topknots bouncing as they scurry.
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I need more of the flowery type then.... 
