New Years Day - not a lot happening

All was very quiet today at Watermead Park (maybe the birds were sleeping off the revelry of the previous night as well). Several people wandering about, mostly families. I only saw one other photographer and we stopped for a chat, He'd been told there's a Merganser about but neither of us have seen it.

When I got to the most active lake the grey skies and murky light weren't good for photography, but I took a couple anyway.



Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/320 @ 7.1, iso 800, 400mm


This wigeon pops up from time to time and was the only different fayre from the usual coots, moorhens, swans etc.

On my way back to the car, I wandered round by the river Soar. Up near the Thurmaston Locks there were several of the usual birds. But no sign of the male Goosanders I photographed a few days before. I stopped for another chat with a local. He was bemoaning the Goosanders for taking "his" fish, he seemed relieved when he said he hadn't seem them for a few days and hoped they'd gone. As he was saying this his back was to the river and I spotted this female Goosander swimming out from the sluice gates. But I didn't enlighten him - might have ruined his day :o)

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/100 @ 7.1, iso 800, 400mm

Happy New Year