Today I paid a short visit to the hide at Aqualate Mere. Rather quiet overall but a few things to keep the camera busy
A drake Mallard takes a bath!
And starts to preen.
All dried-out but still a bit of final re-arranging of the feathers for that ‘perfect’ look. Note the nictating membrane – an extra eye-lid – is closed giving it a white eyed appearance. Note too that the brown breast has a few blotchy feathers so perhaps it is not quite a full adult?
This duck Mallard has also been preening. Note here the spread tail – not often you get the chance to see these markings. The white-edged blue speculum is also well-shown. Note the bill-pattern and how it differs from the plain greeny-yellow of the drake.
This shot of a flying Grey Heron shows the large feet very well. Very occasionally in Spring we see a vagrant Purple Heron: on that species the feet are noticeably even larger and very obvious in flight even if the plumage tones cannot be detected. Under the belly we see a few ‘aigrettes’ – the breeding condition plumes. The bill-colour also tells us this is a breeding condition bird.
An immature Cormorant.
Here it is after diving. I assume that its partially submerged appearance is because it is very wet.
A Coot preening. Not often you can see the yellow spot at the top of the leg of this species.
I’ve said it before and will no doubt say it again: “aren’t feathers amazing?” And what a sweetie?
A male Reed Bunting in close-up. Still some pale tips in the dark hood so not in full breeding plumage.
A different male Reed Bunting – a rather more blotchy individual.
Another view.
(Ed Wilson)
