Birds at Watermead Park

We went for a trip round Watermead on thursday and found I could get the Trike through all the gates I was worried about. It attracted a lot of attention as well, luckily it has the website for them written on the frame. I don't mind the free advertising, they are a good company to deal with.

There were a number of young waterbirds about, some playing, others demanding food, all being closely watched by the parent birds. Like this cygnet. Its mother was just out of shot and the father was with its siblings.

1/2000 @ f6.3, iso 200, 400mm

No young here, just a Great Crested Grebe performing its ablutions, it's hard to tell which way is up with this one.

1/2656 @ f6.3, iso 200, 400mm

Another male Mute Swan was keeping a close eye on Skipper as he went past. No need to worry though, Skipper kept as far away from him and his young as was possible without falling into the lake on the other side of the path.

1/2656 @ f6.3, iso 200, 400mm

A fly past from a group of Mallards was a distraction for a while. They went round skimming the water surface three times.

1/4000 @ f6.3, iso 400, 180mm

The star of the afternoon was this young Heron. He was fishing on a small weir where the river Soar leaves the canal and turns towards Wanlip. He was no more than eight feet from me and in full view, as was I, but he made no move to leave. The camera didn't bother him, he just carried on fishing.

1/800 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/500 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/1328 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

We were returning to the car park when this Mallard chick came towards us obviously expecting to be fed, and when we didn't feed her she started rolling and washing herself. 

1/500 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

Seeing the Mallard chick, these two Canada Goslings dragged their parent across for a free feed only to be disappointed.

1/1328 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

Then it was like rush hour, the Coot chick tried his luck.

1/800 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

As did another Gosling.

1/1600 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

It was good to be photographing birds again, I thought they had all left Leicestershire.

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

Spring has sprung


What a difference a day makes, we went back to Watermead again, mainly because of the mud on other paths that we use.

Canon EOS 7d, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/800 @ 6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

First we saw this egg, with two Canada Geese nearby who seemed to be in the process of changing watches

Canon EOS 7d, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ 6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

 A bit closer on the same lake, a coot had three chicks who seemed to be getting used to the water, when we passed later the nest was empty and the adults had taken the young away.

Canon EOS 7d, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/800 @ 6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

 This Sedge Warbler was singing its heart out in some bushes right by the path, the make a lot of sound for a little bird.

Canon EOS 7d, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ 6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

Caught red handed, waterside thief snapped in action, helping itself from a narrowboat.