I can't believe I ever found time to work And I've sold two photographs, well Ok it was just £20 but it's a start

Took a snap of this and wondered if it's a new species of Starling. Perhaps it could be called a Janus after the Roman God

[IMG]http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g406/tyronet2000/Janus.jpg[/IMG]

I can wholeheartedly recommend early retirement

The visitors, sis in law and neice have left to return to Aberdeen, the neice still on a high after meeting Westlife, photos with them etc. It only seems like 5 minutes since we were at her wedding in March. She won the "Bride of the Week" in her local paper and the boys in the group signed her copy of the newspaper for her. It's my nephews (her brother's) wedding in July so train tickets already booked for another mini break in Aberdeen, of course Auntie Liz will need another outfit, oh the expense of it all

Never thought of that Alan. I've seen a few starlings feeding young on the roof of the SH and on the path but to be honest haven't seen a lot of other birds, an odd blackbird and a couple of spuggies, oh and some big crows which I chase away as Liz doesn't like them. there is a massive leylandi type tree two gardens away but don't know if theres any nests in it as its so dense, plenty bird noise coming from that direction though. The conifer I have is about 7ft high and about 3ft diameter, suppose there could be something in there, but to dense to see through. Will have to pay a bit more attention That big square of food has gone already just put it out at 1000 hrs so all that is left is a few peanut and 1.5 fat balls. No more till I go to the shop

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. I think I'll have to get a Hienz 57 varieties of food and do up the feeding station with some braches, and put up a flat table.
I still get the occasional visit from a cat but since I cut back the base braches of the coinfer it doesn't have a place to hide. Have now got a summerhouse so that will be a good hide for me. the shot posted was taken using the remote cable with the camera outside on a tripod. Then it started to spit Lots of fun to look forward too, every day something new

Getting some birds back in the garden, mainly starlings and sparrows. Any hints and tips for encouraging birds, eg is a flat table better than the cage things, at least a table won't move so much

Pentax 55-300mm

C & C please

[IMG]http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g406/tyronet2000/_IGP1678-1.jpg[/IMG]

Think they are all good but the rabbit has the Aaahhhhh factor

Oh No! Something else to investigate

It all sounds a bit complicated to me but am sure the challenge will be fun. I have an old meter and tomorrow I think I'll take readings off the camera, pointed at the lawn then the sky and do the same with the meter to see how they compare. Am I right in thinking the readings should roughly be the same ?

Bernard, thanks for the info regarding the filter etc., I obviously have the same thoughts as you