Staying in the shade

The small birds were sheltering from the hot sunshine in the bushes, and even the ubiquitous Great Tits were only occasionally visible.

The male Little Owl at the Round Pond was also keeping in the shade in his horse chestnut tree.

But the Starlings at the Lido restaurant were out on the umbrellas watching for a chance to swoop on some leftovers.

A Wood Pigeon sunbathed ...

... and another was gorging on dogwood fruit.

The little stream that runs down the side of the Vista is a place for Carrion Crows to meet and drink and bathe.

The old Grey Heron at the Henry Moore sculpture was taking it easy in the shade.

So was a heron on a Coots' nest at the island.

There were half a dozen herons here. Another stood in a treetop.

The Great Crested Grebe family from the bridge were out in the middle of the Long Water.

A wider view shows them quite close to the other family, but there was no territorial conflict. There is such an abundance of fish, and so much work to do feeding the chicks, that they aren't worrying about territory at the moment.

Ahmet Amerikali took this picture of one at the bridge coming up with a fish shrouded in algae, which have to be shaken off.

The invading Mute Swans' five cygnets were parked on the gravel strip on the Long Water.

An Egyptian Goose on the Serpentine alternately splashed and preened. A bit of water makes feathers easier to preen, and it's also a good way of keeping cool on a hot day.

There are still quite a few Red Admiral butterflies in the Rose Garden.

The flower heads of the stonecrop are turning pink and are a major attraction for Honeybees ...

... and Buff-Tailed Bumblebees.