A Carrion Crow was just beginning to do the same.
Surprisingly, only a few Great Tits ...
... and Blue Tits came out to be fed at the leaf yard.
But Tom got a good picture of a Song Thrush later ...
... and some Redwings driven off the open grass by the snow.
The Little Owls were understandably sheltering. But Tom had come from Richmond Park, where he found one out on a branch.
It started to snow quite hard as I passed the Peter Pan statue. Some Black-Headed Gulls stood impassively on the ice.
The trio of the Red Crested Pochard and the Mallards were on one of the Italian Garden ponds, where the fountain kept an area of water open. The pochard was better off than the others, as he could dive to the bottom of the pond to find food.
A Mute Swan was looking whiter than usual, as its back was covered with snow.
Greylag Geese, Gadwalls and an unexpected Little Grebe moved along a clear passage in the frozen Long Water. Little Grebes can survive by fishing under the ice as long as there is a tiny bit of open water where they can surface.
Two Greylags were fighting at the island.
Above them, the nesting Grey Herons were having an uncomfortable time. One stood in a tree above its mate, whose nest was covered with snow.
A Pied Wagtail was finding small edible creatures on the edge of the Serpentine.
A Rose-Ringed Parakeet was looking sad in the Rose Garden, but cheered up considerably when I filled up one of Rani's feeders.
The local Robin had to wait till it had finished.
A bather displayed unnecessary fortitude at the Lido.
Great blog post, yet again. You are amazing, getting your gear out there and staying functional in that weather. Enjoyed the videos! I have to guess the swimmer didn't last more than a few seconds. The robin looks like a postcard bird, with the snow. Congratulations to Tom too, for finding a Little Owl and managing a photo on the snowy tree.
ReplyDeleteWasn't feeling too functional when I got home. Well, only another two days of the cold snap and then we can get on with normal spring weather -- that is, wind and rain.
DeleteI agree with Johanna, going out in the weather today is brave to say the least! The quality of writing and pictures never let us down.
ReplyDeleteAs for the bather, I can't see how that's a good idea...
I think the idea of both him and me is 'What does not kill me makes me stronger', as Angelina Jolie has tattooed on her arm in dog-Latin.
DeleteI like the Spanish version of the proverb better: "what doesn't kill you will make you fatter" (lo que no mata engorda).
DeleteNow, sadly, people would say 'Lo que engorda mata.'
DeleteI agree with Johanna and Arjun. I saw the videos in youtube first and then rushed here to ask how you were doing and if you had been affected by the cold. It looks like a very serious snow storm.
ReplyDeleteWe really don't deserve Ralph. That's heroism beyond the call of duty.
If the bather wore a different facial expression, I would be tempted to say he was a Russian yearning for the Motherland. Bathing in sub-zero temperatures is par for the course over there.
Wait a minute, what? I actually see the Reif's videos first, on YouTube, and he got over 90K views on that gull video? Just joking around, glad you are enjoying and appreciating Reif too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRPTBhmcyXY
DeleteWell, Johanna, it was you who made that video, so the credit is largely yours.
DeleteEven more snow predicted for Thursday!
ReplyDeleteNot a flake all day. Just looked out of the window at 10pm, and still none. British weather forecasts are, as they have always been, total pants.
DeleteThat’s a perfect winter Robin image, Ralph!
ReplyDeleteI want more snow, red berries and the works. Never satisfied.
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