And it lit up the iridescent secondaries of an Egyptian Goose on the Serpentine. They have large wings in relation to their bodies, and look like half-shut umbrellas when they are preening them.
The moored boats in the middle of the Serpentine make a convenient station for Pied Wagtails, which fly out from them to catch passing insects.
A Reed Warbler near the bridge was also wondering whether it could catch an insect. It lunged and missed.
The three Great Crested Grebe chicks from the nest halfway up the Long Water were cruising around in a group.
A Ring-Necked Parakeet was hanging upside down in an attempt to reach a peanut offered by a visitor.
Every now and then we need to have a picture of a Blue Tit to remind us of what beautiful little birds they are. American visitors, used to their rather drab chickadees, are blown away by the colours of their European relatives.
The male Little Owl had come out on to his usual branch to bask in the sunlight.
A honeybee was working its way over the many little florets of a dahlia in the Flower Walk.
I saw a pair of Egyptian Geese displaying then mating in the Serpentine last Friday. The whole performance involved a lot of noisy calling! I wonder if there will be another brood of goslings?
ReplyDeleteThey really have no sense of timing. Normal for a species whose range stretches both side of the equator, I suppose.
DeleteI'm enjoying every one of your Grebe photos Ralph. I can't comment every time I sigh with happiness at their loveliness, but wanted to leave an overall note of appreciation!
ReplyDelete