Tony Allen-Mills

No sign of #BirdoftheDay and I've got an early start, so here instead is a perky Carolina wren for #SmallBirdSaturday.

#photography #birds

It did actually peck at one of the glasses, but the waiter arrived to shoo it away. Poor thing never got a taste!

Thanks Rob!

A lucky one - he jumped up right in front of me!

"Which one should I try first?"

The waiter had just laid out glasses for a tasting of Port wines in Porto, Portugal, when a thirsty seagull hopped onto the table.

For the #ColourfulCaptures theme of #BirdoftheDay by @alan678.bsky.social.

#photography #birds

I'm thrilled to report that my recent visit to Portugal produced numerous treasures for future editions of #FireHydrantFriday. Here's a charming hydrant from Porto that seems to be disguised as a flowerpot.

#photography #streetfurniture

Brilliant! How I long for the dragon and damsel season to get started here in alpine France!

Frankly, Sabine, you can run that theme any time you like. There was some wonderful couture on display there!

I'm not sure they would have gone to war dressed like that - all that metal must weight a ton. I suspect it was just a palace outfit for impressing the Sultan!

I knew I wouldn't get away with that one!

#MixedPairs you say? How about human and hawk? I found this pair in central London, where a Harris hawk and its trainer often patrol the streets, chasing away pigeons pestering tourists for food (and often bombing them with poop). For #BirdoftheDay by @robcrank68.bsky.social

#photography

The ceremonial chainmail splendour of an Ottoman warrior is my pick for the #FashionThroughTime theme by @sabineshutterbug.bsky.social for this week's #palacesandgardens. From the Topkapi palace collection in Istanbul.

#photography

Thanks Jan - they do build very cosy nests!

Thank you Sabine! I may have a couple of Portuguese palaces to play with too!

You're very welcome. It was a lovely place to find.

A South African Weaver doing its thing for today's #Nestbuilders theme of #BirdoftheDay by @alan678.bsky.social

#photography #birds

A gorgeous Art Nouveau window reflecting off the grand piano in the salon of a Belle Epoque Lisbon mansion (1904). For #WindowsonWednesday

#photography

Thank you!

Thanks Audrey!

Back from a Portuguese city break with a camera full of snaps, but only a very few of birds, alas. Luckily this Chaffinch stood still long enough for me to sneak up for a #sideview, today's #BirdoftheDay theme by @robcrank68.bsky.social

#photography #birds

Been a bit busy wandering around Portugal, but nothing’s more important than #FireHydrantFriday. Here’s a classic Portuguese model from urban Lisbon

#photography #priorities

Tell that to the Swiss!😜

Ta very much!

Thanks Alan. I'm on the road for a couple of weeks, no bird lens, but hope to be back for the Spring migrations!

🙏

Have a great weekend!

Thanks Graham!

OMG, has that been radiocarbon dated? It must be the world's oldest fire hydrant! What do you think? c. 3000BC ?

"He wants #WingsOverWater for his #BirdoftheDay"

"But the water's cold"

"Look, it's @alan678.bsky.social. Someone has to humour him."

"OK, I'll go. But next time, you lot can do it".

#photography #birds

A slight variation on my usual #FireHydrantFriday offerings: a rural model, not from France, but Switzerland. Complete with snow-capped mountains, but no cuckoo clocks, sorry.

#photography #scape