Carrying
on from the previous post this is the second in a series of three posts (not
many words of wisdom just a selection of images that I hope you will enjoy)
each one dedicated to a different location that I've had the pleasure of
visiting since the beginning of the month.
I have
visited Caldecotte Lake in Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire on a few occasions
since the beginning of the month and in varying weather conditions, ranging from
snow lying on the ground with the lakes almost frozen over, to a cold overcast
day with a blustery wind blowing, through to a sunny day with a bright blue sky.
But, no
matter what the weather, the wildlife around the lakes never fails to throw up
a good photo opportunity or two.
The
photos...
One of the ever present Mute Swans patrolling his patch
And the 'stars' that have taken up residence, sometimes in quite large numbers, over the last month....
Goosanders
Male
Female
Carrion Crow...on the lookout for apple cores, maybe?
A Male Pochard
Cormorant in breeding plumage...the white thigh patch is 'flashed' during the courtship display!
On the day when there was snow on the ground and everything was frozen solid I spotted a group of Long-Tailed Tits busily flitting through the branches of some recently felled trees and I noticed that this one was going from branch to branch drinking from the icicles that had formed on the ends.....unfortunately not a very good photograph as I was shooting into the light!!
Dunnock
Reed Bunting...a male, almost into his black faced breeding plumage.
And if your quick enough there's always a chance of a flight shot...
Greylag Goose
Black Headed Gull
Grey Heron
For those
of you who have yet to 'see the light!' pop over to CaldecotteLake where you
can accompany Keith as he gives you a daily tour around the lake with the help
of his excellent photos and videos.
This video is a selection of clips I've taken whilst out and
about, since getting the camera a few weeks ago, of various birds and their
behaviour.
Now, I've got to admit that it's not the best video in the world as I'm still trying
to get to grips with the workings of said camera while also getting my head around
the editing program on the computer. It's a
steep learning curve for a little brain!
Anyway here's my best effort (so far)!!
BIRDS BEHAVING....WELL,....AS BIRDS DO!
A Jackdaw eating sheep!
A Cormorant hanging it all out to dry!
Starlings aerating my lawn.
House Sparrows getting a little piece of the sun.
Mr and Mrs Shoveler. Looking for the soap?
A Pied Wagtail having a stretch.
A Carrion Crow. Looking
for one of Keith's apple cores?
Note:- The house Sparrow clip was taken through my kitchen
window and the ticking you can hear is from the clock on the wall. Strange
thing is I can be in and out of the kitchen many times a day and never hear the
clock but the camera 'heard' it perfectly!
All the best and enjoy your weekend, whatever you're doing.
Caldecotte Lakes Milton Keynes, Boxing Day (26/12/10)
The South Lake was almost completely frozen over with only a small area in front of the houses free of ice. The snow was six inches plus deep making for tiring walking. Although the temperature was nudging - 9*C the mainly sunny conditions made for beautiful views around the lake.
There were a great number of Wildfowl concentrated in the ice free area, all eager to take food from the many people who had kindly brought bread along with them. Not the ideal food, but in these conditions it certainly helps.
Some photographs of the stars of the show, against all the odds they still put on a fantastic display.
