Two very different places 20 April 2011

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1000 @ f5.6, iso 400, 400mm

This Rabbit, doing a fair imitation of a meercat, was captured in a field close to a water meadows near Maldon in Essex. The area is quite similar to Watermead Park in that it is a collection of lakes formed from gravel workings, surrounded by trees  and water filled. There the similarity ends, the litter surrounding the lakes ruins the countryside and it has to be said, most of it is angling related. There were broken anglers chairs, bits of rod, bait bags a broken reel, beer cans and food wrappers all discarded around the fishing pitches.

Despite this I did get a couple of pictures of Coot and Grebe like this one.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/640 @ f5.6, iso 400, 400mm

I was glad to get back to Leicester (and those that know me will know that I don't make that statement lightly). Watermead Park is so much better and although we can criticise our local councils for many things, we should give them a vote of thanks for the parks around Leicester and Leicestershire and hope that we can enjoy them for many years to come.

The first pond I saw as I walked from the car park had a couple of Mallard with five chicks, three of which are pictured below.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/800 @ f5.6, iso 400, 400mm

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1000 @ f5.6, iso 400, 400mm

There was a variety of butterflies racing round collecting the early pollen and lots of blossom. at the far end of the lake, close to Worcester Crescent entrance this moorhen was exploring the small pond in the corner of the park.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/800 @ f5.6, iso 400, 400mm