120 :: Feathered Friends

Jaana: Hooded Crows are one of the most familiar feathered friends found in Finland.

Kia: The Chaffinch is common and widespread throughout Scotland, except in the largely treeless areas of some of the remoter islands, such as the Outer Hebrides and Shetland, where it is scarce or absent.

116 :: Migrating Birds

Jaana: Although Waxwings are migrating birds, most of them overwinter in Finland if the year is particularly good for berries.

Kia: In winter many of the European Goldfinches present in Scotland migrate as far south as Spain.

95 :: Small Bird II

Jaana: European Robins will soon leave us to go winter in milder locations.

Kia: A female House Sparrow is enjoying the feeble Scottish sun.

89 :: Feathered Babies

Jaana: I photographed this owlet (possibly a Ural Owl or a Great Grey Owl) in early June soon after it had left the nest.

Kia: Wee fluffy cygnets of Mute Swan are snuggled happily together.

88 :: Ducklings

Jaana: Mallard ducklings are growing up.

Kia: Mallard ducklings are so cute and fluffy that is almost a pity that they grow up so fast; it only takes them 50-60 days to fledge and become independent.

We'll be posting twice a week for a while. See you on Wednesday.

87 :: Pond

Jaana: If I had been more "brave", I would have snapped a shot when there was a wedding couple having their pictures taken on the white bridge.

Kia: All the ponds in the area are full of babies right now: cygnets, ducklings, cootlings, moorhen chicks.

45 :: Waterfowl

Jaana: Apart from Mallard Ducks, Tufted Ducks seem to be the other common waterfowl over here, even though they are classified as vulnerable in Finland. I love their piercing yellow eyes.

Kia: Mallard ducks and Mute Swans are almost ubiquitous in Scottish rivers, ponds and lochs.

39 :: Pigeon

Jaana: The pretty coloring of this Feral Pigeon (or pulu as we Finns say) caught my eye.

Kia: The Woodpigeon is the UK's largest and commonest pigeon.

38 :: Swallow

Jaana: Barn Swallows are now slowly leaving us to spend winter in Africa. We'll get to see them again in April-June. An old Finnish saying claims that the sight of the first swallow means summer has arrived.

Kia: The Barn Swallow is the most common member of the swallow family in Britain. Swallows are common summer visitors, arriving in April and leaving in October. A well known proverb goes like this: "One swallow does not make a summer".

23 :: Branches

Jaana: Spruce
Kia: Cherry Tree

21 :: Bird Nest

Jaana: Sand Martin nesting site
Kia: Mute Swan nesting site

16 :: Small Bird

Jaana: Pied Flycatcher (female)
Kia: Siskin (male)

11 :: Black-headed Gull

4 :: Jackdaw

Thank you for the heart-warming welcome back, much appreciated.