(Mostly) water birds

Stourhead, Wiltshire:

 

Mute Swan: Waiting for the eggs to hatch

They've hatched!

Focus on the future

Still signs of the egg-tooth

Coming alongside

Stick close

Bob, bob, bobbing ...

Follow the light

The parents were very confiding, especially considering that they had a new family to look after.  Maybe it was because they have 'known' me for over a year.  Who knows?  Both parents were out on the lake with the chicks and, when they started working their way along one of the banks, I spied my chance, went to a point ahead of them, and knelt low at the water's edge.  The pen was leading with the youngsters and the cob was bringing up the rear at a short distance.  When they came very near, they were too close for a focus!  It was interesting that, when the family had passed my position and were moving away (i.e. I was then 'behind' them), the cob clambered out of the water onto the bank and stood near me.  At no time did he display any threat to me and I kept down low and as 'non-threatening' to him as possible.  I recall talking to him (as you do!).  When the family had moved on he followed on foot and eventually rejoined them in the water.  I felt very privileged.

Robin

Great Tit

Blue Tit

Canada Goose

Coot

"Mum!!"

"Please!!"

Langford Lakes:

 

Great Crested Grebe

Submission:  Female at the nest

Coot

Very first steps

... and the reward

Time to go back to the nest

Carefully now

Mute Swan