After a not too bad day yesterday, and the impending storms, I felt a trip out was required, and the sky looked like it could yield some decent sunrise photos, and what better place than Brandon Marsh, water, 24 hr access, so I could enjoy things nice and quietly.
But!
All was not to be.
on my arrival, getting in wasn't a problem, and getting through on to the reserve, was as I expected, but, walking along the path to the one of hides I had in mind with nice easterly views across the big pool, was not to be.
With all this rain and the nearby River Sherbourne running at more than full pelt, the paths were under water!
So I had to make a quick Plan B, aim for one of the smaller pools.
Time was running out, so I made for the first pool I'd come across, Swallow Pool and hope for the best, and as luck had it, it probably was the best, not second best.
The swans clocked my standing, and decided to pay me a visit, more later.
As I said, they clocked me and paid me a visit, and just hung around, chilled, not bothering me or worried about me....
More sunrise photos.
A pair of Canada Geese silhouetted across the pool
A cormorant flies across the pool
The sun was rising over the tree tops.
and the swans came to join me!
There was no signs of me being an intruder, they were chilled and just ambled without a care. and hung around in front of me. The only way I could describe it, was if you've hand fed birds, and they hover around, a bit like that, but more relaxed.
I'm open to advice here, but I relented, as I have some small bird bribery in my pocket, and sprinkled a very small amount on the ground in front of each swan. They didn't hesitate, straight down for the small sprinkle of food, and once gone, looked as if to same, "any more please"
I didn't feed any more, just in case it was not right for their diet, but they did follow me when I left the spot.
I found out later, the spot I used for the sunrise photos, was an an angling point for the local angling club, and it may be some anglers will feed the swans, hence making the gentle beeline for me.
I have since purchased some suitable feed for swans, and there is a good chance I could encounter them again, but next time, with more acceptable food, but I am aware, they're wild birds and during period where they have young, they are very defensive of their families.
The cormorants just taking a breather after breakie...
Greater Black Backed Gulls, I think, not lesser
A group of tufted ducks, most likely a family, possibly siblings in various plumage phases, whatever, they were sticking close together
A pied wagtail
A flotilla of pochard and tufted duck swimming down the pool
A pair of Canada Geese flew in, and it seemed fisticuffs ensued.
But I think it was more a greeting, as they seemed to canoodle almost as soon as the fisticuffs started...
A pair of mooning pintail ducks!
Oyster Catcher
Who's tail!
Twas Mr Tuftie's
The younger cormorants were starting to get a little restless....
A pair of male shelducks flew in, and seemed to be greeting each other with a splash around before settling down.
Mr Teal
Mr Gadwall
The flotilla of pochard and tufties were making their way back
After sitting in the hide facing the onslaught of the wind that was gusting to around 15mph (F4 Moderate Breeze) and the wind chill of around 8ºC, it was time to go and have a bacon butty and hot cuppa before home.
And sitting right by a window overlooking a small pond, were blue tits bathing/drinking,
Chaffies and others feeding...
And a very shy Mrs Red Bunting, very sceptical of the camera
Likewise Mr Reed Bunting
A pleasant morning, and a lovely sunrise, which if the paths hadn't have been flooded, I may not have got, nor may I have met a pair of seemingly friendly swans.
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
(Pardon the Scottish Accent)
Lot to learn
Linda257 said:Nothing ever goes to plan Mike but that's part of the enjoyment;-)
As I've often said, nature has its own agenda, we just have to fit in with it respectfully, and I was happy to have had my hand forced.
gaynorsl said: Nice to get that visit in before this wind hit us all, lovely pics of the Swan etc. I have never fed any so wouldn't be able to advise you Mike on what is good or not for them, but probably seed would not harm, I know not bread, as it used to be fed to ducks and swans years ago and is now prohibited.
Thank you Gaynor.
As for the swans, I think I may have my answer, it seems they may have been after food, and a strong possibility some members of the local angling club do feed them. There used to be an anglers platform there, but it was recently moved around the corner due to subsidence
There was no urgency in their pace, it was a graceful and peaceful glide across the water.
But as we all know, swans do have a vicious bite when they strike, and I wasn't going to let that happen.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Lynn L said:You had a nice morning out and have lovely pictures to show from it. Beautifully sunrise photos, and the birdie ones too. The bacon butty and cuppa would have just finished the trip nicely.
It was absolutely fabulous, and that pool is often quiet, but I've now seen it a different light, and pun intended.
i love robins said:Lovely photos Mike especially the sunrise photos
Thank you ILR, the sunrise was nicely dramatic.