Thursday 18 February 2016

Roe Deer near Research Park

The owners of these deer kindly let me take some closer photographs of their small herd.   It had been a very cold night and there was frost still on their fur, particularly along the length of their spine!   Quite some insulation.   The stag is separate from the does at present - until his antlers drop and then he can be with the rest again.







Monday 15 February 2016

Cormorants

Having seen markings on a couple of Cormorants recently which I hadn't known about, I decided to find out.   If there are grey/white feathers on the neck, it is an indication it is a juvenile bird, and when one can see a white patch underneath the wing it is an indication that it is getting ready for the breeding season.



Pairings at Lazy Otter

It would have been a wonderful sight had these Great Crested Grebes actually completed their mating display.  However, if it hasn't already happened, perhaps it will very soon - even tomorrow......




 These Mallard duck were also 'paired up' and the lovely morning light enhanced their plummage.



Rooks on Solar Panels

At the Lazy Otter there were several Rooks landing and sitting on the 'field' of Solar Panels.   Not sure what was attracting them!






Saturday 13 February 2016

Clayhithe

It was a frosty morning yesterday and I was hoping to get lots of special photographs!   I hadn't expected the better ones to be of birdlife..............    The aggression between this potential pair of Canada Geese was quite something.   The light surrounding the Cormorant was dark yet colourful.   I must look up what the white feathering on its neck signifies - youth or age?









Thursday 11 February 2016

Wicken Fen

Something of a miscellany of subjects on this occasion.   Got carried away with conversions to monochrome for the Fenland scene and other dogs on walks today.   I don't know what the bird of prey is - probably a female Marsh or Hen Harrier, given that it was on Baker Fen but it doesn't seem to appear typical of either Harrier when looking in a field guide.





Sunday 7 February 2016

Sunset from fields next to our house

These were taken last Wednesday evening.   So many sunsets recently have been full of atmosphere and colour.





Turning a Narrow Boat

The skippering of the manoeuvre to turn this boat in such a small space was amazing - and it didn't take long either.   There could not have been more than a matter of feet between boat and banks!


Friday 5 February 2016

Inside and outside of a friend's house

This is the home I was staying in last weekend.   It reflects the interests of the owner - interior design and gardens.









Thursday 4 February 2016

Shovelers at Wicken Fen

A few more images from a recent visit to Wicken Fen, West  Mere Hide.   There was an interesting behaviour from Shovelers when one of them would take to the air and fly about for a short while and then settle again.   It was unclear what prompted this behaviour and which didn't seem of any interest.or concern to other Shovelers!





Tuesday 2 February 2016

Pintail Ducks at Wicken Fen

I enjoyed a longer than usual visit to West Mere Hide this morning and saw Pintail Duck which I hadn't seen there before.   An attractive bird.   Just two males and a female on this occasion.   Perhaps they will breed there this year...........