Bad Tempered or Good Parent?

 

I visited Martin Mere twice in March and in the resident collection of birds from around the world there is a pair of Coscoroba Swans, a species native to South America. It is the smallest variety of swan although is larger than most geese, and I think it is a very good looking bird. The female was (as you can see) on the nest, and the male was dutifully patrolling the perimeter warding off any potential threats. He was quite aggressive and I definitely didn't want to get too close. He seemed quite grumpy and bad tempered but I guess you could argue that he was taking his role very seriously and doing his best to protect his future family.

Although unrelated I have included an extra image below, this time of a Moorhen also sat on its nest. It is that time of year and I look forward to seeing lots of new life as spring really gets under way. 

On a different note I wanted to say thank you for taking the time top view this blog. Even though I haven't actually posted anything since 24th January it is really gratifying to see that the blog is generating some traffic. Here are a few stats: In February there were 11,470 visits, in the past week there were 7,480 visits and in the last two days alone there have been 941 visits. I am really happy with that and hopefully this will continue. I don't make any money from this site, it is purely about sharing images that I have taken. So thanks again for stopping by.

Familiar Faces

 

I sometimes think that we undervalue some of our most common species of birds. We might go to a local park or walk along a river bank or canal and frequently see Mallard ducks, Mute Swans and even Tufted Ducks and think its "just a swan" or "just a duck" but get more excited when we see something a little more unusual. Maybe I am wrong but familiarity does often mean we take things for granted and  in doing so we can miss out on how special these birds are.

Take a look at the colours of the sleepy mallard's head and the lustrous sheen of its breast feathers, as it rests in the shade of a tree. It is nothing short of spectacular.

And how about the pure white feathers of the tufted duck contrasted with its shiny dark wing feathers, not to mention that impressive plume and the bold yellow eye. It is more than just a black and white duck it is beautiful and elegant.

Talking of elegance the mute swan is so serene as these three head shots show. They look majestic when they sail along a river with their wings curled round but they have really impressive features too and are worth a closer look.

So next time you are out for a walk, in the park or by a river or lake take not of the ducks and swans and appreciate what makes them special. They are not "just anything" they are a thing of beauty.

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.

Changing The Guard

Tamron 150mm - 600mm f /5:6.3

ISO 250  309mm  f/7.1  1/500

ISO 250  483mm  f/7.1  1/500

I missed posting something yesterday because, well just because, but I didn't want to let another day pass without some more great pictures and I hope you will agree these pictures don't disappoint. 

They follow on from my selection from Sunday night which if you didn't see them I hope you will take a few minutes to take a look.

I have called today's post Changing the Guard because that is what is happening, one of the adult swans had been sitting on the nest and the other after having a good stretch came to relieve the other and I like the way they carefully switched positions with balletic precision. Then with a look of pride (if you can attribute that to a swan) s/he stands guard before settling down on the clutch of precious eggs.  I think this was a wonderful scene and something I felt privileged to witness. I really love the second picture.

but now for something completely different...

...this is cropped from the first of today's pictures and in colour rather than black and white.  Can you see a totally different creature in this image? 
I have lowered the exposure which has given a pink tint to the white feathers and with the upturned tail and the dip to the wing tips it resembles the face of a pig at least I think so and I can thank my eagle eyed son for spotting this detail in the original shot.

Regal

Tamron 150mm - 600mm f/5:6.3

ISO250   552mm  f/6.3  1/320 sec

ISO 160  400mm  f/5.6   1/320 sec

The swan is such a majestic bird and always look so serene. Even when having a stretch as in the first shot or when chasing away a goose as in the second image. 

This bird was one of a pair that was nesting on a small island at the far end of the pond and s/he was very protective of the nest chasing away any potential threats. 

After a little while I watched the changing of the guard on the nest and was treated to a nice view of the clutch of eggs (more of that another day). But I wanted to share these pictures because they are really good and I love the reflections.

Wildfowl

The pictures for today and tomorrow (and maybe Monday too but I haven't made up my mind on that yet) were taken during a visit to Martin Mere a Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserve  in Lancashire.  I have heard it called a "bird zoo" which I suppose in some ways it is but it is also home to numerous migrating birds.  

It's a good venue for getting up close to some stunning wildlife and so I have picked a few shots to share with you which I hope you will enjoy.