In the Rose Garden an adult Wood Pigeon had little difficulty in pulling rose hips off a bush, but they are quite firmly attached and a young bird was struggling to pick them.
The Blackbird pair could be seen digging in the fallen leaves in the shrubbery.
The male came up with a small worm.
A Robin stayed silent for a while because there was a rival singing loudly in the next bush.
In the Flower Walk the dominant Robin was away the first time I passed, and his mate -- now, of course, a rival -- dared to cross the path into his territory to call for some pine nuts.
The Robin that lives in the yew hedge came out on the top. In fact there were Robins all over the place and it was hard not to try to photograph them all, but three is more than enough for today.
Long-Tailed Tits worked through lime trees near the Physical Energy statue.
A Magpie beside the Long Water had an autumnal background.
The Little Owl at the Round Pond came out of her hole and posed for her portrait.
The Little Grebes were still here, but right in the middle of the pond so there was no chance of a good picture.
On the Serpentine the young Great Crested Grebe from the island was with its father being given a fishing lesson.
One of the other two was preening.
It can be difficult to distinguish courtship from rivalry displays in gulls, but these two Black-Headed Gulls on the edge were definitely rivals, keeping a wary distance from each other.
The Black Swan was back from his stay on the Round Pond. He was alone, so evidently his latest attempt at romance had failed.
The Mute Swan family were on the gravel strip in the Long Water. A young Grey Heron made a careful detour around a large and dangerous teenager.
There were Pochards all the way from the bridge to the Italian Garden.
A medium-sized pale mushroom had come up under a plane tree near Physical Energy, very sideways in shape as if it would rather have been growing on the trunk, and with its cap split into segments. Google Lens identifies it as a Leaflike Oyster, Hohenbuehlia petaloides, but Mario may have a better idea than mere AI.
Evil creature that I am, I was looking forward to the pigeon tottering and falling down. Alas, it didn't indulge us. Next time, surely.
ReplyDeleteSome enterprising young fellow ought to catch the black swan, take it hostage and then release it with the other black swans. It looks like it's unable to find a mate for itself.
Tinúviel
Yes, it was slightly unusual not to see a Wood Pigeon over-reaching and falling out of the bush.
DeleteI have actually thought myself that it might be a good idea to take our Black Swan to St James's Park and introduce him to the unattached female there, who was in Hyde Park a couple of years ago and knows her way about London so she could come back with him if she liked. The reverse kidnap is also a possibility.
Excuse me, we are very attached to our black Swan (Auntie Jane, as she is known), and you can't have her. ;)
DeleteWe had her first. She can go where she likes. The point is that our current Black Swan, who was young and naive when he arrived, probably doesn't know of the existence of St James's Park and the Black Swans there.
DeleteSharing is caring, friend Mark :-) We ought to be thinking of Auntie Jane's future matrimonial happiness.
DeleteTinúviel
Also, on the crowded little lake in St James's Park, every single Black cygnet so far has been killed by Mutes. Chances in Hyde Park may be slim, but better than zero.
Delete