Where are the migrants?

Well the weather today has been glorious - mostly sunshine which was very warm - lovely!

I've been over to the London Wetland Centre... but there's not much about in terms of new migrants yet. A Bittern has been reported but as yet, I've not seen it... hopefully over the next few weeks...

At least 4 Snipe were seen in the same spot...in addition to the regular visitors Grey Herons, Cormorants, loads of Teal, Lapwings etc. etc.

and many Teal

Several Shovellers..

but the female Kestrel didn't disappoint and come over to her usual hunting spot

Just got the above shot before she flew off... and I just caught her..

Further around a (young I think) Lizard had been basking in the sun.

And such a cheery flower - the Sunflower that sang out as headed off for home!

Still waiting for the Red Deer Rut!

A bit of a mixed bag - the weather's not been that good over the last few days - predominant colour is Grey!!

Down with my mother the other day I managed to see her resident Dunnock. It visits every day about 1 p.m. and either sits in the tree or on the edge of the bird bath staying for about 15 minutes each time.

I had an impromptu trip to Polsden Lacey hoping for some Autumn colour - of which there wasn't much yet. But had a pleasant wander. The house was closed on the day I visited so no inside pictures this time. Another time perhaps.

There's quite an amount of statutory dotted around the garden.

And in the walled Rose Garden, dahlias and other flowers were in full bloom and wonderfully colourful.

Even managed some smaller wildlife :D

This is the view out over the valley - into the mist and sun!

And then yesterday a visit to Bushy to check out the Red Deer Rut. I heard and saw one Red Deer Stag and a couple of hinds. Couldn't find any others despite walking all over the area. How can they hide so well!

Many Canada Geese flew over in waves - off to new pastures for the winter perhaps.

The Diana Fountain has just been refurbished and, when the sun is shining, is brilliant gold. But today it was dull although the Cormorants decided it was a good perching place.

There were many Fallow Deer about in their usual place despite the lack of Red Deer.

And these two were play-fighting - all very genteel!

Well at least I had some interesting conditions to practice manual settings and using the Macro lens (at Polsden!)

It would be great to lose this greyness... hopefully it will improve!

How's the Red Deer Rut doing?

For those of you living in the UK, and those who watch Autumnwatch, you're probably fed up with pictures etc. of Red Deer! I turned on the TV to see a bit of the first programme last week and it was about the Deer in Richmond Park which is one of my locals - although I don't visit it that often.

I went to my local patch of Bushy as the Red Deer are now getting more active. And active they were. However, wanting to practice more with camera settings, I tried some birds on the Boating Pond... sorry but the subjects have been on my blog many times before!

I think this Canada Goose got in the way of two cobb Mute Swans... one of which was being chased by the other and finally flew off down to the other end of the pond!

(All taken with the 100-400 mm lens)

A Female Mallard had a bathe then got down to some serious "conducting of the invisible orchestra"

The Black-headed gulls are now coming back after their summer holidays... and are very quarrelsome. This is not the best picture I've ever taken but I was entertained by the pose - they didn't actually collide despite what it looks like.

They were bathing too and this one is now nicely clean!

Then another argument but I managed to miss the gull in flight - they're a tadge too fast for me at times!

And they were very noisy too.

but this Jackdaw just stood silently watching and minding its own business......

OK - Red Deer. Very active and many of the Stags rushing about and roaring.

This Fallow Buck was happier lying under a tree in sleepy mode.

The "main man" was in a totally different area yesterday and it took sometime to find them. He had about 8 hinds gathered around him and was constantly being approached by about 6 other males - all of which he chased off and no fights today. The Hinds don't seem ready yet but I imagine in a day or two, matters will be hotting up even more.

Antlers raking the ground.

A young Fallow Deer - chewing!

In another area, some young Stags were resting and the Jackdaws took full advantage. It looked as they they were finding insects in the coats of the Deer.

And in the Woodland Garden - autumn colours are coming out.

Long may all this sunshine last.... although I think that's too much to hope for.

October? July? August?

It's been more like summer today than summer itself. Splendid Sun, Wonderful Warmth, Brilliant Blue skies.... stunning!!

I went to Barnes to experiment - a) firstly with a new lens that I bought yesterday - a Sigma 150mm macro. Unfortunately it was very breezy so wasn't able to do too much. And b) to brace myself and use manual settings on the camera - getting out of my comfort zone!

Herewith the results!

An obliging female Kestrel was on a hunting trip..

(Manual settings in the main)

and sometimes straight into the sun!!

Using the macro lens out over the water..

I was able to crop down to quite an extent and was pleased with the sharpness the lens produced! (Better enlarged by clicking on the picture)

Collection birds with the 100 - 400 but manual settings..

(Pete please note :D)

I THINK this is a Southern Hawker..

(But Pete suggests Migrant Hawker and I'm inclined to agree)

The cones on the conifers shone in the sunlight..

as did these flowers!

The grasses were bronzed and using a shallow depth of field managed to blur the background to get this shot.

Dazzling colour..

What a wonderful day :D