Bullfinches in the Garden
I quickly told him there was absolutely no chance I was capturing a wild bird!
Welcome to Our Country Life.
This little corner of the internet is my way of bringing a touch of countryside calm to your Sunday mornings. Each week, just as the kettle’s boiled and the day’s still quiet, a new post lands in your inbox at 7am — something gentle to read with your first cup of tea.
I started Our Country Life as a bit of an escape — a place to slow down, notice the smaller things, and soak up the charm of rural life. I hope it brings a moment of peace to your weekend, and maybe even makes you smile.
I’ve been trying to photograph bullfinches for years. They’re beautiful birds but notoriously elusive — shy by nature and often hidden behind leaves or branches, making a good, clear shot almost impossible. For a long time, we only caught the occasional glimpse, and it always felt like a bit of a treat when we did.
Lately, though, something has changed. They’ve started visiting the garden more often. Their confidence is growing, and it’s not unusual now to spot one resting in the apple tree, calmly surveying the garden like it’s always been theirs.
Ludicrous!
The very first time I told my dad that we saw a bullfinch in the garden, back when he was still around. He took one look at it, turned to me with complete seriousness, and asked if I could catch it for him. I just stared at him. “Why?” I asked. “To breed,” he said. “I’ll need two, they’re rare!” Of course, he was entirely wrong on several counts, and I quickly told him there was absolutely no chance I was capturing a wild bird. Silly man. He had a habit of coming up with wild ideas — I’ve never been sure whether he genuinely meant them or just enjoyed getting a reaction. I suspect the latter.
One Fine Day
On this particular day, the bullfinch had been flitting about the garden for a while. I kept an eye on him, and when the moment came, I grabbed my camera. I didn’t mess about adjusting settings or worrying too much about composition. I just watched and clicked when I had the chance. Photographing birds is always a blend of patience and luck; this time, I got rather lucky.
Later, flicking through the photos, I noticed the soft texture of his feathers and that faintly serious expression bullfinches always seem to wear. I’ve added the best of the shots to my garden journal — I mostly keep it for myself, but it’s nice to share a few moments here as well.
Hopefully, he’ll be back soon. I’ll be ready, and so are the sunflower seeds.
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Catch up on my last post…
My First Sighting of a Long Tailed Tit
The other morning, while checking on the hens in the garden and staring absentmindedly out the conservatory window, I spotted a small, round bird bouncing about in the hedge. At fi…
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They are amazing looking creatures - I’ve never seen one in real life! Stunning photos 😍
I’m loving your photos! This is such a beautiful, little bird! Thank you for sharing them with us. ❤️