The Flickr Glasnevin Image Generatr

Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

Apis mellifera mellifera, (A.m.m.), also called the Black Bee or the Dark European Honey Bee or the Northern Dark Bee was originally widespread throughout the whole of northern Europe but sadly is no longer prevalent there now, due to hybridisation with other sub-species such as Apis mellifera ligustica or a hybrid form between the two types.

The Black Bee is thankfully still very much alive in Ireland and is the one kept by most beekeepers BUT it is severely threatened due to hybridisation with imported non-native sub-species as well as the potential detrimental effects of diseases that may be imported with non-native bees. Along with other bees and pollinators generally, it is also struggling due to habitat loss, pesticide use and intensive agriculture – sadly, 1/3rd of all Ireland’s bees are at risk of extinction.

The importance of protecting local bees is now being recognised throughout Europe; in March 2018, an EU Report on Prospects and challenges for the EU apiculture sector (2017/2115(INI)) “Calls on the European Commission and Member States to put in place measures to increase legal protection and financial support for local honey bee ecotypes and populations throughout the European Union, including by way of legally protected locally endemic honeybee conservation areas.” (Native Irish Rare Breed Society)

The native Irish Honey Bee is resilient to our unpredictable weather, including an ability to tolerate long periods of confinement to the hive in winter and an ability to fly at low temperatures and in drizzle or light rain. Clearly, our native bee is admirably adapted to life in Ireland! This individual was one of several feeding on some flowers in the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin recently.

Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

The Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) is a small white heron. Until the 1950s, the Little Egret was restricted to southern Europe. Over the next few decades it became increasingly common in western France and later on the north coast. It bred in the Netherlands in 1979 with further breeding in the 1990s.

In Ireland, the species bred for the first time in 1997 at a site in County Cork.

This adult Little Egret was fishing along the Tolka River in Griffith Park, Dublin 9.

Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

Protestors supporting the Palestinian cause outside Dail Eireann/Government Buildings in Dublin.

Taken on a Canon FT QL camera with a 50mm f2 FL Canon lens on SantaColor 100 film. Developed and scanned by the excellent John Gunn Camera Shop on Wexford Street.

Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

The MIstle Thrush is about the same size as a Blackbird. Has a very upright stance in comparison to either Song thrush or Blackbird. The face is white with some black markings, while the eye has a distinct white eyering. The crown, nape and back of the Mistle Thrush are plain brown. The throat and upper part are white with some black streaks. This is bordered by a brownish smudge across the breast, with the rest of the underparts white with black spots. The rump is pale grey-brown, while the tail is brown - the outer tail feathers being white. The legs are pink in contrast to the dark colouring of the Fieldfare.

Breeds throughout Ireland, though less commonly in the south. Mistle Thrushes are less frequently seen in suburban gardens than Blackbirds and Song Thrushes, favouring larger parks and rural areas. (Birdwatch Ireland)

The number of Mistle Thrush in Ireland increase in winter due to the population being supplemented with birds from the Continent.

The numbers of Mistle Thrush are bolstered hugely during the winter in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin, where this photograph was taken. One can get very good views of them as they feed on Yew berries, allowing for easy identification.

Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

A bench in Griffith Park in Glasnevin/Drumcondra that looks out onto the Tolka River.

Taken on a Yashica Electro 35 G camera with a 45mm f1.7 Yashinon color lens on expired Fujifilm PROH 400 colour film at 400 ISO. Developed and scanned by the excellent John Gunn Camera Shop on Wexford Street.

Myrtus communis
www.johnshortlandwriter.com

Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

The Stock Dove is a widespread resident throughout Ireland favouring areas of cereal cultivation.

A small pigeon, about the same size as Rock Dove and similar to that species. Adult Stock Doves are dark grey all over, with only the breast a salmon-pink colour. The is a small greenish patch on the side of the neck, but this is only visible in good light. Like Woodpigeon, Stock Doves have a large amount of black on the wing, but lack that species broad white band. Juveniles are similar to adults, but are slightly paler grey and lack the greenish neck patch.

They are generally silent when seen in Ireland. Song is a monotonous series of "ooo-u".

Breeds in lowlands of eastern and southern Ireland, almost invariably near agricultural areas, especially cereal. Nests in holes in trees. Has declined as a breeding species in Ireland and is now on the red list here, meaning it is of high conservation concern. (BirdWatch Ireland)

There are better images of Stock Doves in existence, but this is one of a pair of Stock Doves breeding close to my suburban Dublin home. A real treat to see to Stock Doves, let alone urban birds, especially on the ground. Taken under license from the NPWS.

Grey Squirrel on a bench at the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin

At Glasnevin - again

Glasnevin cemetery, where my parents are together again. Forever.

The hardest goodbye

Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

A robust finch, with large head, massive bill and shortish tail. The plumage of both sexes is a mixture of greens and greys with splashes of bright yellow - the female being duller, browner and showing faint streaks. The tail is forked, dark at the tip and centre and yellow on the sides. Bill very thick at base, pale, with a pinkish tinge. Legs slightly fleshy pink. In spring, sings from high perch or in wavering songflight over territory. Found mainly in farmland and around towns and parks. A common garden bird, often occurring in large flocks. (Birdwatch Ireland)

A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2012 found that the greenfinches are not closely related to other members of the genus Carduelis.[8] They have therefore been placed in the resurrected genus Chloris that had originally been introduced by the French naturalist Georges Cuvier in 1800, with the European greenfinch as the type species. (wikipedia)

A stunning male Greenfinch in the grounds of Glasnevin Cemetery. They were feeding on the berries of Yew trees. This is one of the few places I know with a large flock of Greenfinch. A scarce bird in Ireland now, unfortunately.

Fastigiate Beech
www.johnshortlandwriter.com

Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

Moonlight in the daytime. In a rare blue sky day, Glasnevin, Dublin 9.

Taken on a Canon FT QL SLR camera with a 50mm f1.8 QL lens on SantaColor colour film at 100 ISO. Developed and scanned by the excellent John Gunn Camera Shop on Wexford Street.

Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

La Petite Cafe is located on Kildare Street, Dublin 2, and across from Leinster House and around the corner from the Buswell Hotel. The make a very, very good Americano.

Taken on a Canon FT QL SLR camera with a 50mm f1.8 QL lens on SantaColor colour film at 100 ISO. Developed and scanned by the excellent John Gunn Camera Shop on Wexford Street.

Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) is a long-legged predatory wading bird of the heron family, Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It is resident in much of its range, but some populations from the more northern parts migrate southwards in autumn. A bird of wetland areas, it can be seen around lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes and on the sea coast. It feeds mostly on aquatic creatures which it catches after standing stationary beside or in the water or stalking its prey through the shallows.

Standing up to a metre tall, adults weigh from 1 to 2 kg (2.2 to 4.4 lb). They have a white head and neck with a broad black stripe that extends from the eye to the black crest. The body and wings are grey above and the underparts are greyish-white, with some black on the flanks. The long, sharply pointed beak is pinkish-yellow and the legs are brown.

The birds breed colonially in spring in "heronries", usually building their nests high in trees. A clutch of usually three to five bluish-green eggs is laid. Both birds incubate the eggs for a period of about 25 days, and then both feed the chicks, which fledge when seven or eight weeks old. Many juveniles do not survive their first winter, but if they do, they can expect to live for about five years.

The main call is a loud croaking "fraaank", but a variety of guttural and raucous noises are heard at the breeding colony. Grey herons have the ability to live in cities where habitats and nesting space are available. In the Netherlands, the grey heron has established itself over the past decades in great numbers in urban environments. In cities such as Amsterdam, they are ever present and well adapted to modern city life. They hunt as usual, but also visit street markets and snack bars. Some individuals make use of people feeding them at their homes or share the catch of recreational fishermen. Similar behaviour on a smaller scale has been reported in Ireland (Dublin, Galway and Cork). (wikipedia)

An adult Grey Heron standing regal by the pond in the Botanic Gardens Glasnevin, Dublin.

Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

Native to east Asia, Mandarin Ducks were brought to Britain from China in the middle of the 18th Century. Some of them escaped, or were deliberately released, from wildfowl collections during the 1930s and began breeding in the wild. Nowadays, about 3,500 pairs nest in the UK, 14% of the world’s total and the largest population outside the Far East. Like the pheasant and the Canada goose, the mandarin has been accepted, begrudgingly, as a European species, having been long regarded as an illegal immigrant.

Vagrants from Britain visited Wexford in 1971. By 1978, Mandarin Ducks were breeding in the valley of the River Shimna in County Down. There have been reports of their presence elsewhere in recent years, mainly in the east of the country (The Irish Examiner, 21st May 2012).

This male has been a regular visitor to the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin/Griffith Park, Drumcondra on the Tolka River for the last 4-5 years. This photograph was taken at the ponds in the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. Such a stunning duck.

Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

The MIstle Thrush is about the same size as a Blackbird. Has a very upright stance in comparison to either Song thrush or Blackbird. The face is white with some black markings, while the eye has a distinct white eyering. The crown, nape and back of the Mistle Thrush are plain brown. The throat and upper part are white with some black streaks. This is bordered by a brownish smudge across the breast, with the rest of the underparts white with black spots. The rump is pale grey-brown, while the tail is brown - the outer tail feathers being white. The legs are pink in contrast to the dark colouring of the Fieldfare.

Breeds throughout Ireland, though less commonly in the south. Mistle Thrushes are less frequently seen in suburban gardens than Blackbirds and Song Thrushes, favouring larger parks and rural areas. (Birdwatch Ireland)

The number of Mistle Thrush in Ireland increase in winter due to the population being supplemented with birds from the Continent.

The numbers of Mistle Thrush are bolstered hugely during the winter in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin, where this photograph was taken. One can get very good views of them as they feed on Yew berries, allowing for easy identification.

Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

The Redwing is a widespread winter visitor to Ireland from Iceland and Scandinavia between the months of October and March from.

The Redwing is about the same size as a Song Thrush. Ages and sexes have the same appearance. The head is plain brown with an obvious, broad white supercilium. The throat and breast are white with extensive brown streaks. The belly and vent are white and there is an obvious patch of red along the flanks. The back, rump and tail are plain brown. In flight, the red patch on the underwings is obvious even at a distance.

Rather vocal – the most frequently heard call is a fine “tseep”. This call usually reveals the presence of night-flying Redwings during autumn migration. When alarmed also gives a “wuck”, while small groups of Redwings resting in Redwings may give a continuous chatter of squeaks and warbles. (Birdwatch Ireland)

Tends to avoid urban areas except in the coldest of conditions. Always a treat to see and not always easy to photograph. There were a few moving with a flock of Mistle Thrush in Glasnevin Cemetery, together with a one or two Fieldfare, feeding on the Yew berries. A messy shot though, with no clear view. Always good to see.

Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

A sea of poppy head seeds in the walled garden of the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin. Taken early this summer.

Taken on a Leica M4P camera with a 50mm f2 Carl Zeiss Tessar lens on Cinemot Pessoa 400D film. Developed and scanned by the excellent John Gunn Camera Shop on Wexford Street.