A pictorial diary of my walks around the parks and wild areas of Leicestershire, and occasionally farther afield.

If you're new to my blog, you might like to have a look at the pictures in the older post as well (click on button at the bottom of the page).

I am also a writer, using the pen-name John Gwynant, and I'll occasionally announce my latest book release on the blog.

Monday, March 10, 2014

A brief hop at Watermead - 9 March 2014

My first trip out after having my hip replaced was just a short trip to Watermead Park, it was made more difficult by the park authorities having closed one of the car parks over the winter. Anyone with any knowledge of the park knew that the first warm day and the one remaining car park would be overflowing. and so it was. Fortunately we arrived as someone else was leaving and got a reasonable space.

The first thing we saw, but were unable to get a decent picture of were two mink crossing a path between crowds of people and dogs. They seemed unconcerned and I suspect were in mating mode. Now I know they are there I'll keep a look out and see if I can get some pictures worth publishing.

 At an area we call the beaches we stopped to see what was about on the lakes and a Cormorant flew towards us, he was quite low and in no hurry which enabled me to get these pictures.





1/6400 @ f5.6, iso 800, 235mm
Then this black headed gull in spring plumage turned into the wind and was slowed down enough to get focus on him.

1/6400 @ f5.6, iso 800, 180mm
People were feeding the birds and this Mute Swan wanted to make sure he got a share, he seemed to be flapping to urge himself forward.
1/6400 @ f5.6, iso 800, 190mm
I don't know if this mallard got the same idea, but the Gull coming in to land nearly hit her on the head.
1/4000 @ f5.6, iso 800, 170mm

All taken on a Canon EOS 7D, EF 100 - 400mm L series Lens