A very hot stroll around Bushy Park!

Yesterday was HOT. It's been over 27 C (80 plus in Fahrenheit for the last few days). Now, I'm the first to admit I was pleading for warmer weather but.... there are limits and the current temperatures exceed (for me) acceptable limits. It's cooler by the coast but inland where I am - Phew!!

I had a very gentle wander through Bushy Park on Sunday, attracted by the woods and the cool they would offer.

On the way through the first garden, the reflections were evident in the still day.

The solitary white duck - was I seeing double?

A mum and her four kids trying to keep cool by not moving and..

Dad looks as though he's going into eclipse already - where did Spring go?

As I walked further along, I had an objective of finding...

Banded Demoiselles. They were there and many of them. But they don't stay still for too long.

It's amazing how the different lights, can change the colours of the females!

OK - Through the main park on my way to the water. A cold apple juice bought from the kiosk and consumed gratefully (together with a piece of fruit cake for lunch!)

The fallow deer were looking for, and finding, shady spots under the trees.

Over by the edge of the pond, a rather late group of four Egyptian Geese were feeding.

Five cygnets now growing up.

and beginning to lose that dull grey for the snowy white of the teen-aged bird.

And not swimming but walking, these two red deer just stood about in the water cooling off. I was tempted to join them!

Eventually a Cob Swan aggressive chased them and.... they left!!

Nearly at the end of the pond, this very young family were behaving very tidily following Dad!

(this is better enlarged... by clicking on it)

A female Red Crested Pochard preened.

as did "Punk" (the hybrid Red-crested Pochard/Tufted Duck)

By now the heat was getting silly so I headed off home. And lazed about!!