Comments on: Fruity fragrance and fond farewells

By: dale franklin

dale franklin — Tue, 11 May 2021 20:35:51 +0000

Thank you Carolyn, Yes see my reply to Romola above – there are a few stories of where they came from but they have been in the South East for at least 50 years – absolutely beautiful but they are so noisy and becoming a bit of a concern as they have driven off some of the indigenous species in some areas. Dale x

By: dale franklin

dale franklin — Tue, 11 May 2021 20:30:36 +0000

In reply to Pat Foggie.

Wow ! I’d love to photograph a Firecrest Pat, as you say, they’re scarce and tiny – I believe they are in the pine woods behind me but they are so high up and almost impossible to spot and as you know quite tiny (I think the UK’s smallest?) very similar to the Goldcrest too – what a treat for you ! Dale x

By: dale franklin

dale franklin — Tue, 11 May 2021 20:26:24 +0000

In reply to Romola.

Hi Romola, Yes they’re quite a common sight in the South nowadays there are many rumours surrounding where they came from but one theory is that they escaped from Shepperton Studios during the filming of “The Africa Queen” – it’s possible as I remember them in the 70’s in big flocks eating all my Nan’s apples in her garden and she lived about 200 yards from the studios ? Dale x

By: Carolyn Frost

Carolyn Frost — Fri, 07 May 2021 15:38:53 +0000

I had no idea you got parakeets in UK wonderful photo thanks for sharing your lovely photography skills

By: Pat Foggie

Pat Foggie — Fri, 07 May 2021 11:08:08 +0000

Hello Dale, lovely blog. Wanted to tell you about an unusual bird sighting in our garden yesterday. A tiny bird with a reddish tuft on its head. Later another arrived with a yellow tuft on the head. We had to get the bird book out to identify them. They were Firecrest. Our book said that they were scarce. The male returned briefly this morning followed by the female. They have been perching on a Clematis just outside the kitchen window. I have managed to take a photo of the female, not a very good one but I’ll keep trying.
Best wishes Pat

By: Romola

Romola — Fri, 07 May 2021 10:23:30 +0000

Hi Dale

Really looking forward to your wildlife video. Remember the professional photographer David Bailey always said he took the best photos with his old box brownie so if it’s good enough for him etc.!

Lovely photo of the Paraqueet. I didn’t know they were wild here. Looking forward to your next Foodfest show and getting inspiration for eating in the garden with friends when the weather warms up again.

Romola XX