found - the missing birds 17 November 2011

The lakes at Watermead park have been empty this autumn if you compare them with the bird life from this time last year.

But Yesterday I went to Watermead South (near the Melton Road/Soar Valley Way corner). I don't go there very often because there's usually too many people.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/250 @ f5.6, iso 400, 100mm

Here you could almost walk across the lake on birds, the area in front of the car park was so crowded and a large part of the car park was filled with Canada Geese.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/160 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

 The Gulls found it crowded as well and seemed to be taking turns to rest on the fence posts.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/640 @ f5.6, iso 3200, 400mm

 I was sitting on the rocks close to the waters edge, taking close ups of ducks and swans, when I became aware that this Heron had landed within 15 feet of me. It didn't seem to notice me, even though I was wearing a plain green wax jacket and dark trousers. Just shows you don't really need all the cammo gear.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/640 @ f5, iso 3200, 160mm

He stood there for at least ten minutes and didn't move until my wife and dog walked along the path towards him (he was between them and me). Then he took off and flew slowly past me at a nice distance for some pictures.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/640 @ f5, iso 3200, 160mm

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/1000 @ f5, iso 3200, 160mm

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/1600 @ f5, iso 3200, 160mm

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/1000 @ f5, iso 3200, 160mm

They aren't quite as sharp as I would have liked, but the his ISO explains why. As soon as we arrived at the lake the sun took a dive behind some clouds and I had to keep winding it up.

Kelham Bridge - 6 November 2011

Canon EOS 7d, ef 100 - 400mm L lens
1/50 @ 5.6, iso 400, 400mm

A visit to Kelham Bridge proved quite interesting, the first hide there was some activity on the water but a young mother arrived and pointing sideways through the viewing window whispered to her child "look there, it's a pheasant."

Canon EOS 7d, ef 100 - 400mm L lens
1/64 @ 5.6, iso 400, 400mm

I had been so distracted by the water that I hadn't noticed the bird feeders under the trees to my right. The female pheasant, being too big and ungainly to hang from the feeders was scavenging for anything the smaller birds and squirrel might drop.

Canon EOS 7d, ef 100 - 400mm L lens
1/125 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm

The acrobatics of the squirrel were next to catch our attention as he climbed all over the swinging basket of nuts.

Canon EOS 7d, ef 100 - 400mm L lens
1/125 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm

He was mobbed several times by a coal tit, unfortunately the tit was flying so fast and from different angles and I didn't manage to get a picture of it hitting the squirrel.

Canon EOS 7d, ef 100 - 400mm L lens
1/125 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm

You would think it would hurt the bird more than the squirrel, but the tit was clever and only seemed to hit the ears and the tail, enough to be annoying but not hurt itself.

Canon EOS 7d, ef 100 - 400mm L lens
1/100 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm

The Blue Tits were quite happy with the fat balls and kept away from the squirrel.

Canon EOS 7d, ef 100 - 400mm L lens
1/500 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm

The sun started to slip from the sky and I was thinking about leaving when I noticed a Moorhen trying to pull out a feed

Canon EOS 7d, ef 100 - 400mm L lens
1/25 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm, flash

On the way back to the car, I could see a shadow in the bushes which seemed to be keeping pace with us. So I let Maja and Skipper walk on ahead and as I waited, this Robin popped out onto a post.

More Deer at Bradgate park - 1 November 2011

I make no excuses for going back to Bradgate park again, I was hoping to catch the last of the Rut. But Although we heard a few calls there was no fighting and we think the Rut is finished.

It didn't stop me finding some pictures though and this Fallow Deer Stag looked worn out, but later he got up and started feeding.

It was a long time before he raised his head so I could get a picture.

Another stag came close but there was no antagonism, so I guess that shows the rut is over.

The Reds were further into the park close to the bridge opposite Lady Jane Gray's house. This one was standing guard over his ladies and was unchallenged another indication that we won't get any more rut pictures this year.

These deer were grazing on the side of Lady Jane's House.