Hi there! Sun dwellers and umbrella carriers

June and the Longest Day and Summer begins! The beginning of the rest of our lives!

For me 21st June 2008 I hope will be a continuation but also realisation and a begining!

I have only caught two matches of Euro 2008, Poland's 0-2 defeat by Germany ...and then their 1-1 draw with Austria...I saw the goals Croatia were involved in only ..but I'll be raising an eyebrow when Germany play Austria ....fully expectant - either way!

We visited Marwell Zoo on 12th June 2008 - a changeable day -we had mainly sun. The oryx were "awake" -a 1st since visiting Marwell Zoo. I got 2 shots in a 2minute session -shooting in RAW for the day. Not particularly sharp but I 'm grateful for seeing and photographing these very indangered friends.

After we'd been there a while we returned full circle to the "Squirrels snack bar" for refreshments. We were delighted to have the usual crowes in attendance -with one about 6 inches away from my shoulder. He even posed for two sessions of close-ups. The crowes are not encouraged unfortunately-i think they should be made a "feature" ...they are inquizitive,friendly and people enjoy having them close -especially children. BirdWorld have bigger birds doing similar in the wild grey herons-they included them in their penquin talk and allow for fish given in the penquin feed. The crowes are in numbers and yes they may do damage but that's the nature of it and as far as food is concerned i think i'd be grateful of the opportunity of helping nature...after all they encourage us to feed are garden birds. I feel the same way about pidgeon who have a whole range of beautiful colours in the feathers and being bigger birds -they eat more or so it seems but then the neighbours cat also often helps himself to the seed and then leaves a deposit! Lucky he has a bell and so far has not been quick enough for the low,heavy pidgeons or delicate blackbirds!

All 3 pictures taken on this occasion at Marwell Zoo. See the rest on www.flickr.com/photos/colinbp

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Colin