Goldcrest

Great photos :-)

Dear little birds and your painting is fabulous!

brilliant photos and what a beauty to have in your garden. love your painting too. :o)

What a beautiful little bird, so envious, also of your painting talent, Brian.

It's lovely to see a pair well caught on all photos I ve often wondered what birds think when seeing their own reflection. Wonderful painting with so much detail.

I don't know what's the best - the real photos or the drawing. All wonderful - what a pretty bird!

Aw...this is abrilliant blog! I have never seen this bird..ever! And I do love birds. Love the photos and the painting is super, I love it too! Made me so happy.

Karen they are quite widespread in the UK, but so tiny unless you see the gold stripe they are hard to spot,we have seen more of them since last Autumn than for some years,could be the hot summer suited them.Was reading a bit about them and apparently she lays about 10 tiny eggs looks after the chicks for about ten days then leaves the male to carry on while she finds a new nesting site for a second brood ,winter mortality rate is quite high there adult weight is 5.5 grams,that can easily freeze

Brian how privileged you are they are so special - I haven't seen any this year yet but sometimes they pass through the garden and spend a bit of time in the pine tree looking for insects - we have had two long tailed tits this year I think they are really special too - beautiful painting - Jane

I'm definitely going to make some feeders over the next few weeks. I live in an urban area and it saddens me that our local birdlife is so dominated by magpies, pigeons &, dare I say it, darned moggies.
I see smaller birds occasionally but it always feels like they're just passing as they have to range so much wider to find good food when the magpies are happy as Larry with a dropped kebab☺
I've got a clever remote control for my camera so I can put it on a tripod & point it at the feeders then sit indoors & see what's in the frame, fire the shutter, etc. on a tablet.
It's cheating really but it's only for my own pleasure

The smallest bird in Europe Brian! I hope I shall see it one day.

Lucky you to have them in your garden ... such pretty little birds. Love the painting too.

I don't remember ever seeing this pretty little bird so thankyou Brian for sharing, your painting is wonderful...

LincslassIt is so tiny, they are still around so hope they nest close, long as they keep out of the reach of squirrels.
The Owl Trust has a box at the bottom of the garden squirrels have torn pieces out of that I think they will take it down in the hopes the birds will find a safer place.

You did so well to capture the goldcrest, and your painting is fabulous Brian :))

You really are a multi-talented man, Brian! 😀 Not only do you grow fabulous plants but you are very good photographer & probably an even better painter! 😀 The photos & the painting are just so good!

Like others above, I don't think I've seen this bird around here either. 😞 I think I've seen more Robins though this year than other years! 😀

Balcony never think of it like that I am just enjoying my retirement doing the things I enjoy.
I just hope I get to see some chicks they will be so tiny.
in the picture where the bird is looking at itself in the mirror the black wooden rail is only 1.3/4 inches wide that gives an indication how small she is

WOW!!! 😱 That is small!!! No wonder most of us have never seen this bird! Would that make her smaller than a Wren? I've seen Wrens on occasions near here.

Balcony
Yes quite a lot smaller bird weighs about 6 grams =.22 of an ounce. eggs are 14mm x 10mm or about 1/2inch x 3/8 inch and she keeps the eggs at 36.5 c .there is much more on wilkipedia if you are interested

I loved your blog Bjs . I have only seen a gold crest once and that was over 20 years ago when one got stuck in the green house and my hubby cupped it in his hands and very carefully let it fly away. Do you ever find that birds crash into the mirror ?
Your picture is amazing !

Rose
not the mirrors .they crash into our back of the house windows occasionally with spectacular images of the bird left on the glass from the oils in there feathers,fortunately have never seen one injured,there seems to be certain times when the windows reflect like a mirror.

Beautiful photos such lovely birds and nice to see your still painting Brian :)

Sanbaz thanks long time, are you still deep into your painting and selling,?

Hi Brian certainly am it keeps me sane along with the garden.
Just done a quick painting blog as some members asked to see how my painting was going.
Hope your well and still painting to

Fenever Not seen them since January this year or maybe it has been to wet and horrible to look