Reed Warbler

 Last Saturday I went to Mere Sands Woods reserve, it was the first time in a long while that the hides were open and I sat for ages waiting to see something. At one point a scruffy little robin flew into the hide looking for scraps to feed its young. One of the other people in the hide had some seed and put some out and the brave little robin kept coming back. At one point it flew into the hide almost flying into my lens and gave me a shock.

Apart from a few geese and ducks out on the mere there was not much else to see except a few Reed Warblers that were feeding in the shrubs and long grass in front of the hide. They were constantly on the move so catching a shot was incredibly difficult. I loved to just sit and watch as they were busy about their work obviously foraging to feed their young hidden away in the reeds but I was also glad to get just a few images that I can share.

There once was an ugly duckling...

... but it turns out it wasn't a duck at all; it was a swan, a beautiful swan!

Earlier this year I paid a visit to Dunham Massey and I photographed a pair of swans on a clutch of eggs (click here) so today when I went back to visit the park although my main aim was to photograph the deer I wanted to check on the swan family.

To my delight the adults were still there and they have successfully raised three handsome cygnets. I had hoped to get a family portrait as they were all sat together on the nest but as I was preparing the shot another visitor to the park arrived and started hurling lumps of bread into the water disturbing the piece and ruining the opportunity.  

Although they didn't return to the nest as a family group I waited patiently and managed to get a few nice shots.

Good Parenting

Tamron SP 150 - 600 mm  F/5 - 6.3  Di VC USD

ISO 160   450 mm  F/6.3  1/320 sec

ISO 100  600 mm  F/11  1/320 sec

Just before heading to the ferry to go back to the city we stopped in a quite little cove to soak up some sun and enjoy a few moments peace and quiet.  

Just off to the side I spotted a family of Greylag Geese with the watchful and alert parents  keeping a close eye on the young and making sure that I didn't come too close.

I think the adult is rather a handsome creature but the youngsters are rather less so...

Happy Families

How much cuteness can you stand?

This family of short clawed Asian Otters were the most cute creatures at the zoo, they were running around squeaking and generally having a fun time and the adults were being the most attentive parents the whole time. 

I think this makes a fabulous family portrait.