After the traumas of yesterday and the really awful weather I knew that, unless I was going to be totally stir crazy, grumpy and bad tempered with no evidence of my normal jolly disposition (those who know me might argue with this rash statement) I had to get out today. So mid morning off I trotted to - yes you've guessed - Bushey Park.
I decided to start with the Woodland Gardens and give the regular pond a miss!
My first birds on arrival in the first garden were a pair of preening Egyptian Geese
A little further along the stream were two pairs of Mandarin Ducks
A female mallard was having a lazy swim
and this Carrion Crow (Carin & Yoke please note!) had its beady eye on me.
I then met a lady and gentleman who had their binoculars trained on something across the other side of the pond - Kingfisher!! whey hey. By now the light was incredibly murky so I didn't even bother focusing the camera. In addition, there were quite a large flock of siskins very high up in the trees.
We followed the moving flock and eventually some of them came down on the ground but you'll have to take my word for it that there were about 5 at the time I took this.
I then said goodbye to my new companions with thanks for sharing the Kingfisher and Siskins with me and I went on my way. Just as I was moving off, the flock of siskins wheeled up - there must have been at least 40 of them - great sight!
A little further along in the middle of the woodland, you come to a house. Just by the bridge that crossed the stream, was a Grey Heron keeping it's beady eye on the water for a possible meal.
I then crossed over to enter the second of the two woodland gardens and here I fell into conversation with a very nice gentlemen who brought me up-to-date on the restoration of the Upper Lodge Water Gardens and many other areas of the park. It is his understanding that a hide is also going to be part of the redevelopment of the area - fingers crossed!
Having entered the gardens, the only bird I managed a picture of was this rather obliging Jay.
I then gradually made my way back passing a large herd of Red Deer and a smaller one of Fallow Deer - pictures of these I will probably post tomorrow, but this is one of the very light coloured Fallow deer.
Aw - cutie...
I made my way back to the car where this Black-headed Gull was getting darker colouring around its eye.
Not a bad day for wildlife, and also having met three very nice folk, not a bad day for human life either :D
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12 comments:
Fabulous photos, as ever. You be careful in them there woods!
Thanks Lily.
One of the really nice things about being on your own, is that people talk to you.
I fall into the category of people who, when out walking, will say "hello", "good morning" as appropriate - within reason of course.
And yes, I promise to be careful Lol.
All great photos - again! I have never seen Egyptian Geese and their colors are amazing.
Great pics Tricia.
I wish the Jays around here were so confiding.
once again lovely photos;I have never had siskin in my garden but they are lovely.
Sheila
Great pictures, Tricia and it sounds like you had a nice walk.
Make sure the hide will be acessible for the wheelies in your area!
thanks for posting the Rook and Jay. Beautiful.
'tis a bit early to start changing colouring on the head for the BHG, isn't it?
One PROBLEM with walking alone sometimes IS that people talk to you. last week I was minding my own business photographing ducks in the park when a woman approached me - and tried to covert me into a jehovahs witness by telling me the earth could be turned into a pollution free world where children played with lions "and you don't see that today, not even is zoos." I was rather scared! lol
Lol Neil - I know what you mean; and the thought of children playing with lions is incredibly scary!!
I did have someone come up and talk to me, just as I'd lined up a shot which scared off the subject - of course this was going to be THE award winning picture of all time.
Mick - They are very colourful but the males are not that attractive - numbers of them however, seem to be definitely on the increase.
Dean - I was surprised how content this one was, to be near a "human".
Sheila - whilst these weren't in MY garden I have been lucky enough to have have had them before - usually in January.
Yoke - glad you liked the Corivds. Yes - I was surprised to see the BHGull changing colour already!! Far too early.
Once again great pics Tricia. The Black-Headed-Gull, is an adult moulting from summer to winter plumage.Just can't resist Gull's lol.
paul.
Thanks Paul - isn't it still a bit late though?
'Fraid I don't "do" gulls - far too complicated! Lol.
Hi Tricia, it is late, but thats Gulls for you, they dont do conform. Thats why they are so interesting, and you can be caught out by their moults, its never straight forward with Gulls just adds to the frustration lol.
paul.
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