I'm running a deficit at the moment, where I haven't been able to process all the photos I've taken, let alone put any on here. However, I'm slowly catching up again, so here are a few, starting with a local park and a female Tufty on her side.
Every now and again, it's nice to get a few gulls in-flight. An immature Herring Gull
Another immature one, but this time a Lesser Black-back.
There was even a Common Gull, although I didn't realise it until I got the photos home!
And to complete the set, a Black-headed
Another Herring Gull, but adult.
While I was doing that, the feral doves kept taking flight so I thought I'd get a couple of those as well, as I've never done that before.
I managed to get the neck colours showing really well on this one
Another immature Lesser Black-back, although this one looks like it will be fully adult by spring
A later trip to Pennington produced another female Tufty in beautiful early morning light
That early, before too many people arrive, you can catch a Goldeneye close to shore if you're lucky
I got my Siskins of the winter in the Alders
I only catch up with these occasionally so it was nice to get such a good view
Another Goldeneye, who looks like it has got a cold with that drippy beak!
It's only recently that the number of Goosander has approached normal winter levels. I counted 15 males and 10 red-heads when taking these.
This Song Thrush demanded to have its photo taken but kept getting too close!
And this Teal was in the darkest spot imaginable … except for one ray of sunshine just as it stood up.
That'll do for now, although I have a couple of other trips of waders and waterfowl to do sometime.
You really shouldn't keep photos like these to yourself for too long - wonderful set, thanks for posting Nigel.
Fantastic set of photos and species Nigel; particularly like the Goosander with that whacky hair-do ! Nice to see the Song Thrush so close up, the beauitful Siskins and who can resist the Goldeneye and handsome Teal. Gulls ain't half bad either lol
Great set of photos Nigels & very envious of your Gull ID skills! I love Siskins & we were lucky enough to have them in the garden last winter, but when we're out in the car we always open the windows & slow down when we go past Alder trees in the hope of seeing or hearing them.
Very nice captures Nige.
Thanks all.
Noisette said:envious of your Gull ID skills!
You can't tell so easily from these photos but they aren't first year birds, so they had spotty light grey or spotty slate grey wings, ie easy to tell! It's much more difficult with first year birds who haven't developed any adult colours at all. And I see the Siskins in these Alders every year and almost nowhere else.
gaynorsl said:You really shouldn't keep photos like these to yourself for too long
I'll try and do better in future!
A brilliant selection of photos Nigel.
An amazing set of photo's Nigel, I especially like the song thrush image. Thank you for sharing these.