Our day in Newcastle earlier this week wasn’t just about people-watching. We’d come to walk the banks of the Tyne, weaving back and forth over at least some of its seven bridges. Let’s take a bird’s eye view of the scenes we saw.
This is what those pigeons in the header photo were looking for.

This young herring gull was inspecting me as I inspected him. He was tucked behind a railing just beyond that first planter.



We wandered onto the Swing Bridge, which luckily didn’t want to open to allow river traffic through. Its elderly wooden jetties provided the perfect resting place for gangs of pigeons.


Then we walked down this walkway, for another view of the Millennium Bridge …


… but one of our views of the Sage was reflected in a nearby office window.

We didn’t really see any more wildlife. Unless this counts.

I’ll see if I’m allowed to sneak both the pigeons and the herring gull into I. J. Khanewala’s Bird of the Week.
Yes, you absolutely can. Especially with that photo of a juvenile herring gull. That’s not something I’ve seen much of.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He was quite curious about me. The railings between us made it a bit tricky, but he was willing to pose. He? She? By the way. Who knows?
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a great set of B&W, that juvenile bird was great, the elderly wooden jetties very photogenic, and liked the window view!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sue. that sounds like the full set . Result!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, the shots of the young seagull are stunning. Ideally presented in black and white.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. Yes, I think b/w works for these birds, both younger and older.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The keening of juvenile gulls, as their parents try to get them to fend for themselves, is a regular summer soundtrack for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh really? This one I think had been irrevocably kicked out. And OK about it too, apparently.
LikeLiked by 1 person
One of the parents hangs around in the background until junior shows a bit of gumption and is gradually left to its own devices. We usually have several pairs breeding on our street.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They can be quite noisy too I guess.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, yes…Dawn chorus here is cacophonous, and we’re quite a few miles inland.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Eek!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The threesome at the top look so playful. And you’ve been, too, judging from the photos!
LikeLike
We had a great day. Even a bit of sun …
LikeLiked by 1 person
For all I know it’s always sunny in Newcastle (it was on the three day stay we had there in 2015).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Trust me. It’s not.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
The young gull is perfect for b&w. I loved the alternative pigeon coop too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think the pigeons did too 😉
LikeLike
More great shots and nature in the city too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We could have found more I’m sure. Just give me a bit longer next time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Knowing you there will be more to come!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No place like home, and it never was for me but I’ll always have a soft spot for Newcastle. Did you make it to Ouseburn and the arty stuff round there? And it must be impossible to take a bad photo of the Eye. I love it 🤗💙
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. But no. We had limited time and got no further than the various routes between the station and the Baltic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The gull works especially well in B&W and of course I love seeing all your photos of the bridges, especially the Millennium Bridge, my favourite 🙂 The Swing Bridge was in the news when we were up there – there was no risk of it opening on your visit as apparently its mechanism is jammed. A local MP is keen to try to sort it as its 150 year anniversary is coming up: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/newcastles-swing-bridge-repair-anniversary-27526939
LikeLike
Interesting! We didn’t know that, but something seemed amiss – it wasn’t being used much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s never well used because the main roads don’t drop down to the river which you need to do for this bridge – they cross the Tyne Bridge or the Redheugh further west.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah. That explains it then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m enjoying the b&w moods
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh good! Thanks – one more to go.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool B&W photos Margaret. I love the top one of the pigeons looking quizzical. And the wooden jetties. Towns and cities are perfect for this type of photo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aren’t they just? We country mice should get out more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Superb pictures of the young gull. I do love the fractals in feather patterns.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They’re pretty wonderful, aren’t they?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I often ponder on how other creatures can see life with all the differing types of eyes and lenses. There are so many wonders that we are unable to see, BUT so much beauty that we miss because we just don’t look!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly. We need to slow down and do a bit of pondering – as you do.
LikeLiked by 1 person