Friday, 17 May 2013

A breezy day at Arne

It was sunny, but there was a stiff breeze.  The first images were taken from the hide at Coombe Heath.


Sika
 She's trying to pick up my scent, but I'm downwind...






... and she continues her way through the reeds.


Linnet




I left the hide and made my way back across the heath.  The air was rich with the beautiful perfume of the gorse.


Sika

This young male had not yet shed his antlers.  Although most stags on the peninsula had shed theirs and were showing fresh buds, several seemed to be late this year according to regulars.














After my picnic-lunch and some hot chocolate I made my way through the woods to the salt marshes by Shipstal Point.  The tide was just about at its lowest, but a solitary Little Egret was making the most of what water there was in a tiny rivulet.






Changing position























Friday, 10 May 2013

Local stuff

All the images in this posting were taken locally at either Stourhead (National Trust), Wiltshire, or at Langford Lakes, Steeple Langford, Wiltshire.

Stourhead:


Mallard  –  interesting colouring


Great Tit





Mute Swan




Someone had placed a small pile of corn on the side of the lake.  He was reaching down to eat it.


Langford Lakes:


Robin


Great Crested Grebe



 


Gadwall


Wren

This one led me a merry dance for about 30 minutes before I could get a (relatively) clear shot.



Canada Goose




Tufted Duck  ♂




Tufted Duck  ♀


Tufted Duck  ♂

(Not my best images of male Tufties.  The whites are a bit overcooked.)


Mallard






Blackcap  ♂




Coot

There were at least 6 eggs in the nest.