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Wednesday, 10 April 2013

The Geese Chaser

"Get off my lake"

A pair of Mute Swans have built a nest on the edge of the smallest lake in the local Parkland.
As in previous years the Mutes don't wish to share the lake with any other large bird. 
Invariably Geese are the main target and the male Mute tries to drive off any interlopers. 
Mutes will also drive off their own young that they reared the previous year.

On this occasion there were two pair of Greylag geese and a pair of Canada. The Mute spent all of his time chasing around after the Greylag pairs and trying to drive them away. One after another he attempted to achieve this, but was failing to do so whilst I watched them.  He didn't bother with the Canada pair at this time. When I walked by later he was still failing to achieve his objective.

Its very unlikely that the Geese will want to start rearing young there anyway, as its not really remote enough for them so this is a wasted effort on the part of the male Mute. Perhaps the Geese are engaging in a spot of outdoor sport.{:))












Lumix GH3. 35-100mm 2.8 lens. 1/1000 at f5.6 - 100mm(200). ISO200

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36 comments:

  1. holdingmoments10 April 2013 at 10:53

    Great set of behavioral shots Roy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jenny10 April 2013 at 16:13

    I laughed to see the Black-headed Gulls serenely looking on! That Greylag looks like a big heffalump trying to take off! (-:

    ReplyDelete
  3. DeniseinVA10 April 2013 at 17:44

    Fun shots, not so much for the goose I guess. Makes for great action photos.

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    Replies
    1. Roy Norris10 April 2013 at 23:38

      Thanks Denise, the goose isn't too pleased.{:))

      Delete
  4. Helma10 April 2013 at 18:45

    Wow ........ really beautiful zctie pictures of swan goose chases. Really nice vastgelgd.
    Compliments :-)

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  5. grammie g10 April 2013 at 20:17

    Hey Roy...Fabulous post, comical as can be for the
    onlookers only,I am sure!! The second is a great shot,love the wings and its looks like the goose was pushing it's luck ; )!!
    That's some good action shots, especially a goose running on water ; )!!
    Grace

    ReplyDelete
  6. Guy11 April 2013 at 02:06

    Hi Roy

    What a wonderful series, I particularly like the seventh photo, sort of a comic ballet, all you need is a hippo.

    Regards
    Guy

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    Replies
    1. Roy Norris11 April 2013 at 11:36

      Thanks Guy, yes he looks a bit worried at that stage.

      Delete
  7. Tricia Ryder11 April 2013 at 14:19

    Great action shots, Roy... swans are so aggressive at this time of the year.

    I'm impressed with the GH3 shots - particularly as they were moving subjects! Take it you're please with it and the 35-100 lens in terms of focusing speed?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Roy Norris11 April 2013 at 14:47

      Thanks Tricia, Yes I am really pleased with the GH3 and in particular the 35-100 f2.8 and 12-35 f2.8, I am looking forward to using them both this summer.

      Delete
  8. Kelly11 April 2013 at 14:50

    ...fun post, Roy. I bet they are just teasing the poor Mute! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Tricia Ryder11 April 2013 at 16:39

    Did you do much post processing... they look quite sharp given they're moving subjects?

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    Replies
    1. Roy Norris11 April 2013 at 23:01

      I only cropped them Tricia, otherwise no processing.

      Delete
    2. The Quacks of Life12 April 2013 at 10:21

      nice shots Ray. Like you i've gone mirrorless. Did you know your old blog is throwing up a blogger security warning?

      Delete
    3. Roy Norris12 April 2013 at 14:26

      Hi Pete, no I didn't know that.??? Weird, don't understand why.

      Delete
    4. The Quacks of Life12 April 2013 at 18:27

      well the link to your old blog from Tricia's does! when I go from the one on your blog it doesn't... most odd

      Delete
    5. Tricia Ryder12 April 2013 at 20:44

      Pete... Roy - works OK when I just accessed it - just tried the link..

      Delete
    6. Roy Norris13 April 2013 at 14:37

      Thanks Both, this blog has a mind of its own sometimes.

      Delete
  10. Helena11 April 2013 at 19:10

    such brilliant photos!! look at the effect on the water when he's running/flying off! amazing that you could capture that.

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  11. Marianne De Vogelkijker11 April 2013 at 20:56

    Nice story Roy and funny pictures. You can see in the eyes of the Greylag goose he's a sort of scared.

    Regards,
    Marianne

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    Replies
    1. Roy Norris11 April 2013 at 23:02

      Thanks Marianne, it looks that way, but it may be thats how he looks anyway.{:))

      Delete
  12. Rowan11 April 2013 at 22:39

    Great shots Roy - maybe the mute and the greylag were just trying to stay warm by exercising!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Roy Norris11 April 2013 at 23:03

      Thanks D.
      Yes it was cold enough for that.

      Delete
  13. Mary11 April 2013 at 22:42

    You get such great action shots! I love the ones that look like one legged skating on the water :-) That swan is working over-time to keep his mate happy.

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    Replies
    1. Roy Norris11 April 2013 at 23:04

      Thanks Mary, if there are too many to deal with I have seen them give up especially if its other Mutes.

      Delete
  14. Bhushavali12 April 2013 at 14:38

    Love the bird in flight! Awesome series of shots!
    Roy, how are you? Long time no c!!!
    Indian Fashion n Travel Blogger! - Bhusha's INDIA TRAVELOGUE

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Roy Norris13 April 2013 at 14:35

      Hi Mitr, thanks.
      I am fine thanks, where have you been hiding.{:)).

      Delete
  15. aliqot12 April 2013 at 15:16

    Fab action shots, and I like the reflections in the water, too!

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  16. ShySongbird12 April 2013 at 17:34

    Great captures Roy. I remember a similar encounter between a swan and Canada Geese on a lake here, the swan definitely had the upper hand.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Kathie Brown17 April 2013 at 09:14

    Roy, quite an amazing series of shots!

    ReplyDelete

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