Saw 4 Little Ringed Plovers, one of which may have been sitting on a nest. The usual culprits other than that with the exception of those pictured below! Pleasant morning then around lunchtime the rain clouds gathered and shed their watery load - so time to stop for a bit to eat and a drink. Wasn't that hungry (and the prices are a tad steep in my view) so I had a refreshing and healthy home-made Museli with bio-yoghurt and raspberry compoet with a Latte - very nice!
As I started my trip around the reserve I'd heard the alarm call of the Wren and then managed to find it! I don't know why it kept calling but....
Walking near the "Lagoon" I came across the family of Great Crested Grebes. The four young had now been reduced to two in number - one of the parents was fishing and feeding the young. The other parent was not to be seen - although I understand it had been around earlier and each parent had one of the youngsters.
This one was fishing to feed the family..
and when you're young you have to learn to do things for yourself..
but parents can give a helping hand (or beak) when needed..
What the meal was who knows?? It looks more crablike than anything else!
Dinner over the two young swam about on their own. What I then witnessed was very odd (IMHO); one of the youngsters started pecking its sibling on the head. This is did about 6 times and throughout all of the this, the victim kept its head tucked down and to one side, as the following pictures shows!
And then onward and from one of the hides, a Black-tailed Godwit in breeding plumage. So far away for the camera but through the binocs, the plumage was wonderful!
(Record shot only!)
Several 6-spot Burnet moths had just emerged..
This is horribly over-exposed as far as the grass is concerned, but I quite like the effect.
I don't know what these flowers were, but like them - as did the bee!
Honey bees abounded..
as did the Bumbles
This insect - a beautiful irridescent green, was on the convolvulus - don't know what the insect is however!
Lilies bloomed colourfully
and far out a Ruddy Duck was lazily swimming around
This crazy coot has to learn that it can't balance on a thin edge - this particular thin edge belonging to one of the sculptures. Photographically this was a nightmare, as the sculpture was very shiny metal and the sun was out!
And so home with a quick stop at Tescos for something to eat for supper!
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17 comments:
All beautiful photos, again. I was very interested in the Black-tailed Godwit. I see the occasional one out here but my bird books say that it is a different sub-race.
Marvellous photos again Tricia so clear and colourful.thought the wren was great and the moth fabulous
Sheila
Great pictures Tricia.
Love that crazy Coot at the end!
No help with the ID's I'm afraid; but love the Burnet moths and the Wren.
A good day by the looks of things.
Lovely photos Tricia, I love the Wren pics especially!
I think the white flower is either veronica or loosetrife but both are very similar
Another nice visit to WWT Tricia. The stripy young Grebes weren't diplaying 'brotherly love'! The insect could be a Blister Beetle.
Love the Bumble close ups. FAB
Mick - Thank you. I must have a look in my book to see what it says about sub-races!
Sheila - thank you - I was lucky to get the wren as it was very well tucked into a very leafy tree!
Keith - thank you. It was a really daft coot - could have done taking video of it as it kept swaying about so much. And yes - a nice day out.
Liz - thanks for the plant ID - I'll have a closer look to see which one it may have been.
Frank - I'll have a look also at Blister Beetles - it was very tiny so I'd changed to the macro lens!
And you're right - no "brotherly" love from the siblings!
Hi Tricia,
Wow, fantastic!! So many different subjects again, and you captured them so well. I love your grebe series, being able to see the chicks and parents like this is awesome.
But I have to say that I was amazed by your macro-shots, they are so beautifully composed!! Well done on the whole message I loved it!
That little wren is so cute. Such great pictures. A gorgeous moth as well.
Superb yet again Tricia!!
Jayne
I love the Wren photos Tricia, I think they are a difficult bird to capture. I also love the 6 spot Burnets, very striking! and I would love to know what the GCG youngsters were up to, very strange behaviour!!
No idea what your shiny green bug is but its a lovely picture.
Chris - Thank you. I enjoy macro but wish I had a better lens!
OC - thank you. The moth is one of the UK's few day-flying moths
Jayne - thank you :)
Jan - I was lucky to get the wren - it took me a while to find it right in the denser part of the tree. I'm intrigued by the young Grebe behaviour too.
Janine - thanks - I'll have to keep looking through the books!
A fantastic set of picture Tricia, I was pleased to see the Burnet moths... I've been hoping to get a few shots of these but as yet I have not seen any.
The bit of a heat wave we have just add floored me.... I can not get out when it's to hot or to cold... :O( but I still enjoyed my walk this week with the help of your legs and great pictures.
Tom
This is so a beautiful bird !! Really loved the color and appreciate the way it is capture..Do check my another blog also i.e.Unseen Rajasthan
Love the Bumble Bee shots Tricia and that was great to record the Blackwit.
Tom - always pleased to help you on your walks and glad you enjoyed this one :D
Unseen - thank you for your comment. I will pop over and have a look at your other blog.
Roy - Thank you. It was lovely to see the "Blackwit" too - such beautiful colours!
Pity the Godwit was so far off, in contrast to the macro subjects! Those Grebes make a great series.
You did well with the shiny sculpture (and silly Coot)
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