Bushy Park in the late afternoon

After a dental checkup and some grocery shopping (I don't know how I contain myself with all this excitement!) which was a fairly rude awakening to normality again, I escaped into Bushy for a walk towards the end of the afternoon. That way the light was better, the car park less full, and the noise from children on holiday, somewhat less!

The family of Mum, Dad and seven cygnets are still very much evident and doing well.

The cynets are now stretching their wings and practising wing flapping, moving a few feet at a time. I suppose it won't be long now before they are off.

Dad was demonstrating and offering flying lessons..




An inactive Black-headed Gull was contemplating life, water and beyond..

And this young Red-crested Pochard was busily following..

Mum

and a possible Dad was around and about..

Further along, these thistle-like flowers were the attractant for flutters

Many Small Coppers were finding the plants attractive.



On the way back to the car, a maturing young Fawn was around; keeping close to Mum still.


Just a short walk, but enough to stretch the legs!

Damsels, Dragons and Birds

Yesterday I had a quick wander around Black Pond on Esher Common looking for damselflies. I know it's too early for the much sought after Emerald Dragonfly - not till late June or July but.....

I did manage to spot a pair of Broad Bodied Chasers - who wouldn't stay still for very long but, finally the female settled - way over the other side of the pool of water. I heard three Reed Warblers around the pond, but couldn't see any of them!


Nothing else about much so I headed off for a quick look at the birds in Claremont Gardens.

Coots up to strange body antics again - they learn early!!

A quick snack - this a different family - there were at least three coot families

A Greylag had a drink

whilst this couple were happy resting..

and this little one liked daisies!

whilst another had an afternoon rest.

A Peacock butterfly sunbathed.

Then today, I had a walk with a friend in Bushy Park - we spent our time mostly in the Woodland Gardens where we were rewarded with the sight of -
a Female Banded Demoiselle
(I think - please correct me if I'm wrong - equally I'd like to know if I'm right :D)
The colours were amazing as it happily had an afternoon snack

before flying further away - but the sun really caught the colour of its wings - amazing colours!



Just a quick post today.

A quick end of day visit

I cut the remaining bit of grass today - and the mower wouldn't switch off. So I had to unplug it to stop it - then I plugged it back in again - and it started - all by itself! A quick trip back to the repairers fixed it and all is now well.

I then ascertained that my spare pair of (non self-darkening) glasses, that had the lens replaced as the original lens were wrong (!) were ready for collection. Duly collected these, did some essential food shopping and, on the way home at the end of the afternoon, treated myself to a quick trip around Bushey Park.

I bumped into a fellow photographer Mark (who's succumbed and upgraded his Canon 400D to the 50D), and he and I passed several enjoyable minutes photographing the birds in the boating pond.

And here we have the results. The sun was sinking in the sky although the light was strange!
Tufted Ducks

Posing Crow


and Magpie

The Mallard Family


And some Tufties going off to roost
"Please wait for me"....


A Red-crested Pochard in flight

Red Crested Pochard - male

Tufted Duck - female

Posing Mallard

Egyptian Goose in flight

Mallard enjoying an end of day rest

then joined by her partner

and one of the three Mandarin Ducks


I'd not taken any sort of jacket and by now I was getting very cold - temperatures have dropped a bit since yesterday.

Mark and I decided this was a good time of day for flying birds, the light and pictures, so - I might go back again late tomorrow afternoon so I can spend some more time.

Thanks for your company again Mark.

Catch up with Goslings

I think the sun has become very self-conscious whereas the cloud and rain are confidently dominating over the last couple of days. Not nice!!

On the way back from the supermarket, I stopped off at Esher Common and had a wander around the Black Pond area - nothing about and a distinct lack of bird song. Heard Great and Blue Tits and, as I was leaving, five Long tailed tits brightened the day somewhat.

Crossed the road and had a wander along the river before wandering back up the hill through the Ancient Wood. Nothing to report - again, very little bird song and very few birds.

When looking (unsuccessfully) for the Great Crested Grebes in Bushey Park the other day, I also had a check on the two, very different, Egyptian Geese Goslings. The difference in their size is becoming more apparent as they age. The smaller of the two still looks very much like a fledgling whereas its sibling is going into its teens! It's interesting the great difference between them.

It's difficult to believe that these two are from the same parents.

Although this is the smaller Gosling, it still doesn't look very well developed. Fingers crossed it's going to be OK.

whereas this one looks so plump and healthy.

Mum was have a snooze

When the sun was shining a few days ago, I was experimenting with my Macro lens and using the "Active View" of the camera.
Bud of Snakeskin Maple (in the garden) - now in leaf

and also in the garden, the flower buds of Amelanchier.

Using the large lens..
And in Bushey Park, a pink Magnolia just in flower

whilst an Azalea was in full flower

Rhododendron almost blooming

and more colour







Well - at least it's something to brighten a very very dull day!
Please can we have some better weather, light, warmth and sunshine very soon?
I'm beginning to get withdrawal symptoms without being able to get out to see birds and wildlife and the camera is feeling very neglected!