Monday 4 March 2013

SUNSHINE AT LAST.......BUT NO OTTER!





Around 7.30 this morning I received a phone call from Keith asking me if I would like to join him at Willen Lake in Milton Keynes  (he was already there by the way!) to see if we could locate the two Otters that were giving good views yesterday.

So, about an hour later, after a quick rush around to get everything together and a 15 mile journey through the rush hour traffic,  I met up with Keith by the side of the lake as the sun was beginning to make a welcome appearance through the hazy blue sky, sadly though it wasn't having much effect on the cold breeze.  

We made our way around to the hide on the North lake  and soon got good views of  a dozen or so Teal loafing in the sunshine  and a single Snipe searching for food at the water's edge. A large flock of Lapwing were on the distant spit and ten or so Grey Heron were on or around the beginnings of a Heronry in the treetops on the island, one already sitting on a nest and another pair doing what comes naturally for Herons at this time of year!!

After a time, sitting in the cold and drafty hide, we decided to go for a walk around the lake. Keith soon spotted a female Kestrel sitting on a lamp post, after a short time it took to the air, spooked by an oblivious pedestrian walking along the footpath directly underneath!  

  I did, however, manage to get a picture as it took to the air.



After steady stroll in the sunshine we arrived back at the hide once more, unfortunately it wasn't long before all the birds were up in the air spooked by the arrival of a Reed cutting craft crewed by members of the Parks Trust, who proceeded to navigate three quarters of  the way around the island before landing  and getting off  to, presumably, check on the goats that live there!

All was not lost however, as it gave me the opportunity to practice some flight shots...

Lapwing

Teal

Grey Heron



Not a bad few hours out in the sunshine but sadly no 'otter(s)!!



Or to put it another way...the sun shone...it was bloody cold in the wind...the birds were spooked...AND... we didn't see any Otters!       



 I still enjoyed it though!!

22 comments:

theconstantwalker said...

Sounds like you had a lovely day spent watching nature Trevor and you captured some wonderful images along the way.

Carole M. said...

it's always some disappointing when you're lining up for a shot and the birds are spooked away. You did pick up some lovely photographs though; in flight photos are always a treat I think. Glad you got something out of your perseverance in the cold winds to make it all worthwhile. Hopefully the otters will show up another visit

Roy Norris said...

Particularly liked the Lapwing flock shot, Trevor, brilliant.

ADRIAN said...

Great shots Trevor. The teal are wonderful.
It is awful cool though.
Pity about the otters.

The Herald said...

Cheers Andrew, yeh, we had a great time out in the sunshine, even if it was a little cool at times!...[;o)

Carole, thank you. The birds being spooked made for some good photo opportunities so I guess it wasn't all bad! I'm sure I'll get to see the Otters eventually...perhaps they were tucked up in the warm somewhere...out of the wind!!...[;o)

Thanks Roy...[;o)

The Herald said...

Thanks Adrian, hopefully the Otters will put in another appearance soon!...[;o)

Anonymous said...

Wow - these shots are just amazing!

The Herald said...

ladyfi, thanks for stopping by and for the kind comments...[;o)

Bob Bushell said...

Beautiful flying birds, love 'em. Shame about Otters.

The Herald said...

Thanks Bob, maybe next time for the Otters?...[;o)

FOREST SNAPPER said...

No otters, but you have shown some lovely photos Trevor and as you said, you enjoyed it.


peter

ShySongbird said...

It sounded like a pleasant visit despite the no show Otters Trevor. You have some lovely flight shots here, I like them all especially the Kestrel which seems to be making straight for you! I had to smile at your glass half empty/glass half full take on the visit at the end :-)

The Herald said...

Thanks Peter, It was a shame to dip on the Otters but, as always, I still enjoyed being out and about...regardless of the weather!...[;o)

The Herald said...

Jan, thank you. Yeh, even though we dipped on the Otters, it was good to get out in the sunshine for a change.

As for the little rant at the end...it does us all good to have a moan now and then!...lol...[;o)

Ramakant Pradhan said...

No otters but superb shots of the heron, teals and the kestrel. You surely had a great day at the lake.

grammie g said...

HI Trevor...I spent over half my day yesterday trouble shooting a internet connection ..no.. a non internet connection to my HP grr did all those suggestion things and about mid afternoon I say "screw it" and walked away..
Glad you had a good outing with the old bugger ; ) and some great flight shot's !! I really had to get a focus on that Kestrel ..at first I couldn't figure out his
face haha it is odd!
Like every one of these photos they are fantastic!!
Grace

holdingmoments said...

Great account of a great morning Trevor; despite no Otters.
That's a cracking shot of the Kestrel.

The Herald said...

Ramakant, thank you and thanks for stopping by...[;o)

Hi Grace, Thank you.
All this technology a?....it's just made to try out our patience, I find a lot of swearing helps to relieve the stress!!

Yeh, the 'old bugger' promised me Otters, but all I got was cold!!..lol.
Oh! and a couple of half decent pictures...glad you liked them...[;o)


Cheers Keith, It was a good morning even though we dipped on the Otters!...[;o)

Findlay Wilde said...

Absolutely fantastic pictures but my favourite is that amazing Kestrel. From Findlay

The Herald said...

Thank you Findlay, a right time right place shot!...[;o)

Unknown said...

Super cool shot of the kestrel!

The Herald said...

Jerry, thank you and thanks for dropping by...[;o)