What a funny day it was at Abberton. I think it's the first time I've visited when there has been so much ice - which meant there were fewer birds about. There were still plenty enough to be worth the visit, though:
The picture of togetherness.
The ice clearly didn't bother these mallards.
A motley population!
What has happened to this coot's foot? Does it double as a life raft?
An intrepid mallard pair head to the water. Yes, there was some!
'Shall I head to the feeder or shall I pose a little more? Decisions, decisions'
The Flying Bums take to the air.
This crow decides to check out this new, hard water.
The on-street entertainment was well up to its usual standard.
This beautiful pied wagtail actually stood still. Not for long, but long enough.
'This is fun!'
'I don't like the look of it one bit. Much too cold and uncomfortable for me'
'You're being very sensible, dear. Leave it to the crows to have a warped sense of fun'
A few incoming Egyptian geese.
Two stunning young swans working on their appearance.
'Oy! It's far too early in the season for that!
I'm finishing with the beautiful buzzard, to which my photo sadly doesn't do justice.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Makes me feel cold just looking at the photos...
Unicum arbustum haud alit duos erithacos
(One bush does not shelter two Robins)
Zenodotus (3rd Century B.C.)
Great photos considering the weather
Of all creatures, man is the most detestable, he is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~ Mark Twain
Really like those Clare.
© Scottish Wildlife Trust - Loch of the Lowes
A great collection, Clare--thanks! Love the skating birds and the very sweet Pied Waggie!
Kind regards, Ann
Those mallards are gorgeous, the others aren't bad either!! My pond was frozen but a reservoir - boy it must have been nippy:-)
Lot to learn
I think the most surreal thing about the first few photos is that all those birds are standing roughly where I saw my first fishing osprey a few seasons ago!
Those geese in the tarmac - I could almost hear the noise! Another good set of photos, Clare!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Nice set of photos Clare, I can sympathise with the weather as I also went out yesterday. But the views must have been nice though, from the freeze. The one thing that I do like about cold weather is that I feel that the air is more fresh compared to warmer days.
WE, You may or may not know that when the temperature drops below freezing much of the moisture is removed from the air making it far less penetrating than when the temps are just above freezing--means it is easier to stay warm and comfortable in somewhat-below-freezing temps than in just-above-freezing temps (as long as you are well wrapped up).
Looked pretty chilly there Clare but thanks for braving the conditions to bring us this lovely set and for the suitable captions lol brilliant.
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Regards, Hazel