Remembrance Sunday

Reed Bunting

This was one of those days (which has happened before) when I went for a walk and within the first few minutes was able to observe with good sightings and photograph a reasonable image of a bird, on this occasion a Reed Bunting. While the remainder of the walk revealed very little of interest to photograph.

This bird which was one of three, appears to be a male in winter plumage.

Flooded Meadows

We have recently had a lot of rain in a short period.

The local Canada Geese are enjoying the flooded meadows adjacent to the lakes in the Parkland.

They get to eat the grass and drink at the same time, which means they don't have to keep flying back to the lakes to take on water.

Economy of effort.

Meanwhile the Green eyed Monster is chillaxing by the pool.

When there is nothing else to see it is time for a spot of Gull Shooting.

In this case Black-headed Gulls.

Migrant Hawker - Riding out the Storm

A female Migrant Hawker Dragonfly.

The Migrant is the only Hawker that you are likely to find still flying in November, so true to form this one turned up and obligingly pitched on a bush in front of me.

I am amazed they are still around after the weather we have had recently.

Parkland Walk

General observations from a recent Parkland Walk.

A windy day and the clouds were moving fast and furious which eventually led to a nice clear blue sky.

The odd Comma butterfly is still hanging on at this time and finding food on old blackberry fruit.

Below is a great spot for viewing the Kingfisher, but you have to wait a while.

There is still some colour around in the form of a variety of flowers, although some are past their best.

Not easy to find or photograph this Jay was searching amongst the foliage of an oak tree for acorns.

A male Chaffinch keeping out of the wind……..

……….. as is this Robin.

A Dabchick (Little Grebe) observed at the same spot above where the Kingfishers perch.

The first Redwing I have seen this autumn and he is feeding on yew berries.

A Dunnock flew to this spot below from cover, only to disappear again quickly.

A healthy looking Rabbit.

I am always amazed and take a particular interest at the way birds, especially larger water birds like ducks and geese fly and manouvere themselves in the air.

I was able to take this sequence of four shots below of a Mallard as he was approaching over a bridge to land on water.  You can see where the original aircraft designers got some of their ideas from.

Note the webbed feet acting as the first flaps to slow his approach down.

Then he lowers his tail down to really apply the big brakes.

He is now happy with his approach speed with the correct trim for gliding…..

……and he continues with a little correction to the tail, in that trim until landing.

Two more Dabchicks, in open a water this time.

Below is the open water where I observed the two Dabchicks.