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Friday 18 January 2013

A Parkland Walk

Images from my latest Parkland walk. 
During yesterday morning it was a lovely sunny clear sky, but for various reasons I was not able to go for a walk until the afternoon. Just as I arrived in the Parkland car park the sun disappeared having been covered by a blanket of dull grey cloud. As a consequence the light was awful for photography.

I met another Birding colleague on arrival who advised me where I could see some Waxwings, so I made my way towards that location. Apparently there was another Birding colleague who had been taking photographs of the birds. (More of that later)

The scene below was typical of the conditions during the rest of the afternoon.


A few Fieldfare were observed at various locations during the walk.




This Dunnock was looking for food, unfortunately I didn't have any with me on this occasion.


This Robin was all fluffed up to protect against the cold.



Just two Wigeon were observed on what was left of open water on one of the frozen lakes.




On arriving at the location where the Waxwings had been observed, my fellow Birder had taken his photos and left. See his excellent shots here.  Mike   Nice shooting Mike. 
I have only ever observed Waxwings on two occasions (Both of which have been in the Parkland) and on both, the light and weather has been very dull and not conducive to good photography. 
So the few I have posted are the best of a bad bunch.





Mute Swans on Ice


Not quite so elegant as in the water.







Just a few more Waxwing shots.






29 comments:

  1. Shame you missed the best of the weather Roy but these shots are lovely all the same, with some great pics of a wintry looking landscape and sky :-) The Waxwing photos are excellent too :-)

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  2. I love waxwings! We saw some in Kettering two years ago, I think. Beautiful creatures.
    Thank goodness yesterday was (relatively) fine weather!

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    1. Thanks Alison, yes they are pretty special.

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  3. Hi Roy

    It looks like winter there. I love your closeup shots of the birds the waxwings are great. The Swan looks a bit put out. I really enjoyed this post.

    All the best.
    Guy

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  4. Very beautiful pictures, but it sure looks cold.

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  5. Hi Roy,

    Nice series with a lot of variety. The sky with clouds is really nice. The Robin is so cute, he's a small hero I think. You must have been happy with the waxwings, beautiful birds and you took 'the picture with the berry'. Very nice! And Wigeon! Also the pictures with the ice on the plants are great. Nice story about the walk and your observations.

    Kind reagrds,
    Marianne

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    1. Thanks Marianne, I was happy to see the Waxwings anyway.{:))

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  6. A nice selection Roy! Glad to see you caught up with the Waxwings! Ferry Meadows has changed a bit today! No Waxwings when I was there at lunchtime and the female Smew had vanished, only to be seen by a friend of mine 15 minutes after I left!
    J
    Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES

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    1. Thanks John, I imagine its more white than ever now with this latest batch of snow.
      Paul told me about the Smew, but I didn't see it either.

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  7. Great set of images from your (cold!) walk Roy. You can always rely on the sun disappearing when you most need it!
    I really like the Waxwing images with the hoar frost it makes a nice change from the images that we've gotten used to seeing over the last few weeks...[;o)

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  8. Hey Roy...I think your photos of the Bohemian Waxwings are awesome..like Trevor said the hoar frost makes a new touch ! I love when they have a berry in there mouth and toss it, and catch it : }!! Lucky you..I hope I get to see them again this winter!!
    All the others are nice scenes of the park and the birds....Poor Swan :( !!

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    1. Thanks GG. I would like to see them in some better light though.

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  9. Great selection Roy.
    Love the Waxwings. Always an exciting bird to see.
    I like that Fieldfare too.

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  10. This was a very productive walk, Roy. Of course, love the Waxwings!

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    1. Thanks Steve, they always seem a lot bigger when you see them for real.

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  11. Wow, the waxwings are so elegant! Great photos with the red berries and frosted branches.

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    1. Thanks Kathryn, yes but I wish I had better light.

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  12. What fabulous photos! So glad I've found you again, I'd been wondering why you weren't posting and finally Googled the old blog title and discovered that you've moved. The waxwings are lovely birds, I saw a small group of them last week too.

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    1. Thanks D, yes I had some problems on the old site.

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  13. Lovely Waxwings, Roy. A tremendous walk!

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  14. WOW!!
    I find it very very beautiful!
    What a variety of birds and some beautifully photographed. You Waxwings I find really great. Beautiful colors, and then eating berries on snow covered branches. Fantastic!




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    1. Thanks Helma, Waxwings are so unusual and very pretty birds. Some winters we get a lot here other years nothing.

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