[It could have been so much worse...]
The Scene, Set:
Once upon a January, a ridiculously rare [if a bit 'Just flew in off a cruise ship'... ::Ahem:: ] bird turned up in Devon. Not just anywhere, but far enough away to be utterly outside any walkable range yet still in sight from among other places, The Nose...
This is, I suppose, to be expected from a Mockingbird. [Groan]
It then hung about, showing off to not only those allowed to see it [ie. lived in walking range], but also assorted ne'erdowells and lawbreakers to whom the Greater Good, let alone that Law thing, meant little or nothing. One of those damned if you do's, as those responsible enough to marshall the unruly* were too responsible to go. So we have an angry local with a newly-wavy fence and a whole lot of bad blood.
[Please excuse that rant, it's been simmering for a while.....]
Ahem.
Cut to, Now;
Monday! Day One of Freedom Extended and I was straight over after work. The Sun was feeling helpful, I dared to hope. The traffic was awful, I tried very hard not to say {too many} bad words. Somehow I still had lots of fun driving somewhere other than said work or local superdupermarket. [There's a song from ANBC which has the spirit, if not content... ;) ]
This was, of course, Responsible Twitching, with no going inside anywhere, properly socially-distanced in the crowd and everything. It has to be said that it helped there were only four of us on site at the time.
Getting on with photos!
Northern Mockingbird
I had to hold my camera up almost at arms' length - upside down - to get these, btw.**
Easier but more distant views [for normal-sized people, anyway, giants were ok on the footpath] from the main road, looking through a semi-ruined [or possibly very open-plan?] garage thing. Or at a better angle, from the next road south though even further away.
It was quite sunny, as you can see.
Actual proper un-burntout head!
Turned away...
Last one, promise.
Wonderful wonderful bird. [Yes I know I always say that...] Kind of like a cross between a Great Grey Shrike and a Catbird! Worth. The. Wait. :D
[By the by: you may be interested to know that that is 'the' Holly. Note the absence of berries {I saw one still left}. ]
Stirring aside; it's wonderful, a bit mobile on occasion [and can show in assorted other much more viewable spots in surrounding streets if you give it time], and if you're under 6'; take a stepladder, sturdy bucket, [[helpful person... ;) ]] to stand on. Oh and don't touch the wooden fence behind you!
Be Seeing You...
[[* Two volunteers in reflective tabards - one each end of the footpath - with a series of socially-spaced stepladders, and a charity bucket on the In end of a one way system: X twitchers at a go get Y minutes for a donation of at least Z quid. Go-arounds allowed [second donation!] but no time extensions as it needs to be all in, all out at a time. Simple. ]]
[[** Of course I forgot to take my big bucket.... Still Monday. ]]
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