Confusion - January 2012

 Wildlife seems a bit confused, it's only January but it's been so warm some are already mating.
Why do the always look as if the male is trying to drown the female?

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/400 @ f5.6, iso 800, 390mm

The grebe seemed more together and the sun was starting to set on the day, giving a golden glow as the lit the lake at a low angle, just before the sunset proper started.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/1328 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

Not so the geese this gaggle flew in from the south and would set off north the next day, several more gaggles joined them for the overnight rest.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/1600 @ f5.6, iso 800, 285mm

Watermead fakes - 13 January 2012

A visit to Watermead south turned out quite interesting, first there was this black duck with its white chest. On closer inspection it turned out to be a Monochrome Mallard.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/160 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

While I was watching the Mallard a Canada goose nearly ran into my lens as it took off. I'll take a brolly next time.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/200 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm 

Then this Goose wandered towards me imitating a Barnacle goose. I might have been fooled if it hadn't been the size of a Canada Goose - making it twice the size it should have been.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/200 @ f6.3, iso 400, 310mm

There seems to be a lot of interbreeding going on around the ponds of Leicestershire.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/100 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

Further round in the lakes near to Meadow Lane I saw this Shoveller in the golden light of the Sun.

Thornton - 9 Jan 2012

Thornton reservoir was as quiet as everywhere else, only the usual birds about and they were not too energetic.

The Barnacle goose a lone regular at the reservoir was strutting about as usual teasing the white goose females

Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/125 @ 7.1, iso 1600, 310mm

A good wash and stretch was enough for this mallard male.

Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/250 @ 7.1, iso 1600, 310mm

All quiet at Watermead

The lakes at Watermead park yesterday looked deserted, there was very little in the way of wild life. What there was were the usual common stuff and not much of them.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/64 @f5.6, iso 1600, 100mm

I rather liked the light on these swans, but they're nothing special,