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:
Sounds like you had a lovely day spent watching nature Trevor and you captured some wonderful images along the way.
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
Particularly liked the Lapwing flock shot, Trevor, brilliant.
Great shots Trevor. The teal are wonderful.
It is awful cool though.
Pity about the otters.
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)
Thanks Adrian, hopefully the Otters will put in another appearance soon!...[;o)
Wow - these shots are just amazing!
ladyfi, thanks for stopping by and for the kind comments...[;o)
Beautiful flying birds, love 'em. Shame about Otters.
Thanks Bob, maybe next time for the Otters?...[;o)
No otters, but you have shown some lovely photos Trevor and as you said, you enjoyed it.
peter
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 :-)
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)
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)
No otters but superb shots of the heron, teals and the kestrel. You surely had a great day at the lake.
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
Great account of a great morning Trevor; despite no Otters.
That's a cracking shot of the Kestrel.
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)
Absolutely fantastic pictures but my favourite is that amazing Kestrel. From Findlay
Thank you Findlay, a right time right place shot!...[;o)
Super cool shot of the kestrel!
Jerry, thank you and thanks for dropping by...[;o)
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