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Swithland Woods - 19 June 2012

A tree stump in the car park at Swithland Woods, Leicestershire, attracts a good deal of wildlife, that's why I often feature it. Walking through the woods it's often hard to get decent pictures, but just sitting in the car, after spreading bird food on the stump is about as easy as it gets.

Below, the Great Tit gave an interesting display, after first surveying the area from a nearby post.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/250 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/320 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/1328 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/1000 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm

In a tree nearby this tit watched the show and later came to feed. Identification is a little difficult, I think its a coal tit that's not fully fledged yet,  there were other coal tits visiting the stump as well, but I might be wrong. Any suggestions gratefully recieved.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/250 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm

We had a visit from a Nuthatch as well, but I liked the pictures in the trees better than those on the stump.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/200 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm

As I was packing up a squirrel wandered out onto the road a little way away and started feeding at the roadside. When he found something worthwhile, he decided to sit on a post to chew on it.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/250 @ 6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

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Watermead South - goslings and cygnets 1 June 2012

On my way home from a friends house I have to pass the entrance for Watermead park south, so we decided to stop off and exercise skipper.

As usual the water near the car park was full of swans, canadas, coots and mallards. but as we walked round the lake, there was a Swan with cygnets.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100-400mm L lens
1/1000 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

 She seemed to be showing them how to beg for bread as she led them into the bank close to any walkers.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100-400mm L lens
1/1000 @ f6.3, iso 800, 340mm

A little further round a Greylag family were performing a similar routine.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100-400mm L lens
1/250 @ f6.3, iso 800, 100mm

 People will insist on taking their dogs close to the side when birds are there and these parents were not happy with a young husky even though it was on a lead. Skipper was back on the footpath, far enough away not to upset them.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100-400mm L lens
1/320 @ f6.3, iso 800, 320mm

This parent came in close and stayed there until the family had passed.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100-400mm L lens
1/2000 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

By way of something different the Ox Eye Daisies are out in full bloom round the lake.