Mute Swans

The Lunch Queue

1/250 @ f5.6, ISO 400, 100mm
Canon &d, EF 100 - 400mm L Series lens

Swanning About

Mute Swan

1/160 @ f5.6, ISO 400, 135mm

Swanning around

water skiing

1/640 @f6.3, ISO 400, 400mm

Swan in the Mist

Mute Swan flying at Watermead Park

1/640 ± f5.6, ISO 800, 150mm

Perfect Landing

A mute swan landing at speed.

1/3200 @ f6.3, ISO 200, 400mm

Mute Swan

Swan showing who's boss

1/6400 @ f5.6, ISO 800, 190 mm

Thornton 27 feb 2015

Nothing special today, just the usual common fare.

The water flowing at a good speed over the overspill and these two greylags were happy to while away the day watching it and showing off seeing who could stand on one leg the longest. Either that or the water was cold and they stood on one foot until it got too cold, then switched to the other one.

1/250 @ f7.1, iso 800, 250mm

Whatever the reason it didtn't stop them pausing for a drink while still on one foot.

1/320 @ f7.1, iso 800, 250mm

There are some interesting Mallard Hybrids that can fool you sometimes.

1/1328 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

And of course a Mute Swan female hoping for a feed

1/800 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

All pictures taken on a Canon EOS 7d with EOS 100 - 400 m L series lens

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

Another Good Day - 3rd February 2013

Whenever I pass the Bradgate Park, I look over the wall to see what's moving about.

The first things I spotted were two Fallow deer who weren't moving at all. They were enjoying the sunshine, eyes closed and relaxed.

Canon EOs 7d, EF 100 - 400mm, L, Lens
1/2000 @ f5.6, iso 800, 330mm

Canon EOs 7d, EF 100 - 400mm, L, Lens
1/2656 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

 The next one didn't seem impressed at having his picture taken and stuck his tongue out.

Canon EOs 7d, EF 100 - 400mm, L, Lens
1/6400 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

Then we moved on to Thornton Reservoir and this tufty became camera shy and dived under the surface. He was so quick only his DA was visible by the time the shutter clicked. 

Canon EOs 7d, EF 100 - 400mm, L, Lens
1/500 @ f5.6, iso 800, 330mm

 Of course some of them weren't shy at all and this female Mallard came for a closer look - or maybe it was to see if I was going to feed her.

Canon EOs 7d, EF 100 - 400mm, L, Lens
1/800 @ f6.3, iso 800, 340mm

I think her partner was jealous though and stormed across the lake towards me - or maybe it was the child standing next to me throwing food to them.

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

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

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

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

 The Mute swan family came in really gently and collected the dropped food. the male came in, only a couple of feet from where I was sitting and seemed to want to make friends - until he realised it wasn't me with the food - they can be really fickle these birds :o)

Canon EOs 7d, EF 100 - 400mm, L, Lens
1/1328 @ f6.3, iso 800, 120mm

Thornton and Bradgate - 19 October 2012

A trip out to Thornton reservoir found little in the way of wildlife. There was a lone cormorant on a post but shielded from the camera by bare branches.
A large male mute swan trying to drown an juvenile, the young one had a neat trick to get away and something I've never seen a swan do before. When the adult jumped on top of him, he went down and swam under water for about twenty metres before resurfacing, he repeated this three times before another adult from the other side of the water came to his rescue. Unfortunately it was  too far away to get any photo's

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400 L Lens
1/160 @ f7.1, iso 1600, 235mm

On the way back to the car park we spotted this fungus, I cant find it in my books but it looked interesting.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400 L Lens
1/1600 @ f7.1, iso 1600, 400mm

I was about to get in the car when I saw this black headed gull in winter plumage and it seemed to be trying to tie itself in a knot.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400 L Lens
1/200 @ f7.1, iso 1600, 400mm

On the way home we were passing Bradgate Park and spotted this fungus at the side of the road. I think it might be a honey fungus.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400 L Lens
1/250 @ f7.1, iso 1600, 400mm

Looking over the wall we spotted these fallow deer. There was a large white stag as well but he was mostly hidden so I couldn't get a decent picture

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400 L Lens
1/500 @ f7.1, iso 1600, 400mm

The Rut must br near starting but we've not seen any signs yet.

Watermead Park - 14 June 2011

After a battle through the undergrowth I was able to get a bit closer to the Grebe nest and without disturbing them get some better pictures.

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

Again there wasn't a lot of bird activity, but this teasel looked interesting in the sunshine.

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

One one of the lakes that are only separated by the footpath, these Canada Geese were out in force, but paddling along slowly enough for the goslings to keep up.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/2656 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

Then on the path back to the car park, these cygnets were taking an afternoon siesta while the parents stood watch.

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

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

I had some problems getting skipper past them, but fortunately he is well behaved around wildlife and walked slowly until he was level with them, then with a few hisses from the adults he rushed away along the path and waited while I took some photos.