Mistle Thrush in the Conifers

I spotted these Heather and Gorse on Christmas Eve on my way to the bay. I think Heather is one of the more difficult wild plants and wild flowers to photograph. Yet I could not resist taking a few images.
The Heather was more of a challenge I think because it was popping out of a wall so to speak. Plus I was trying to stick as much to the edge as possible and parking alongside the wall rather than with my back wheels parked on the very narrow road. Bsides I was underneath the Rookery and the noise was deafening.







Yesterday I watched two Magpies fly along the fence and smiled at that odd vertical and 'haughty' way they fly with head in the air and their tail straight downwards. I'd expected them to have landed on the street light or on the fence, and as I looked out of the window, I spotted two large Thrushes. At first I thuoght them to be Song Thrushes as we do have one on the estate, but when I looked closer, I realised they were too big and the colouring also looked as if it was just speckles or streaks on a whitish body. It was just too far off for a good and clear picture, so I also took a few pictures with the digital zoom on. It does miss the buff colouring of the Song Thrush. And like I said before, it was way too large!

Useful knowledge: How to Uncurl your Hedgehog

Although I have seen many Hedgehogs or 'Egels' as they are called in Holland where I grew up, as a kid, I was never armed with the wisdom of how to get one to uncurl into a more manageable shape, when you have one in your hands.

I just found out, by reading this review on a recent book on Hedgehogs, "A Prickly Affair" and knowing that many are caring about, or as in some cases caring for, hogs, I take it that you will add it to your Santa wish list or give it to like minded friends in the hope they read it soon, so you can read it too.
In that case you might want to give it before Christmas!