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

Life at the old Pool - 24 August 2011

We decided to go for a walk by the lake at Watermead south yesterday, we haven't been there since they closed the car park for resurfacing, which is strange since we usually park at the other side, in Birstall, so we can avoid the traffic. The car park though has been finished for some time and looks quite smart.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/800 @ f5.6, iso 400, 170mm

The usual birds were in evidence, nothing unusual, and there were a few people feeding them. This Canada goose flew straight towards me before swinging off and landing by the rails.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 800, 170mm

With the wind in the direction it was blowing from (ESE) the goose looked like it was flying in slow-motion  and gave me plenty of opportunity for photos.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/640 @ f6.3, iso 800, 170mm

Morning at Watermead - 13 June 2011

A morning visit to Watermead Park and the birds were a bit more active than they have been in the afternoons.

Beside one of the picnic areas on the lake near Worcester crescent, a Coot was chastising her fledgling.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/3200 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

 I don't know what it had done, maybe become a rebellious teenager (a Kevin for those who follow Harry Enfield).

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/3200 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

I know it looks like she's drowning it, but the young one was happily feeding a few moments later.

Then I was distracted by a disturbance at the far end of the lake, near Moorhen Marsh. A dog had run down to the water for a swim and scared a whole lot of Canada Geese into the water. Unfortunately for them, a belligerent swan then attacked them and put them into the air.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1328 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

I could only get a few of them in the lens, but that one swan harassed all of them until they flew into another lake.

I was nearly back at the car-park when I spotted a pair of Great Crested Grebe making a nest. I looked away for a few seconds as a Heron flew over and when I looked back, the grebe had laid an egg.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/320 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

I'll have to watch them for a few weeks see if they manage to hatch it, I think they are inexperienced parents because they left the egg several times for several minutes at a time.

When I returned to the car, this squirrel was sitting on a nearby fence post.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/200 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

It ignored Skipper and didn't move until I clicked the remote and all the doors unlocked, then it scampered up a nearby tree.

In the Afternoon I went to Kelham Bridge but I haven't processed the pictures yet so will post that tomorrow.