We had the first few flakes of snow today, but before the snow came (and went) I'd already been down to Falmer pond which was partially frozen. The ice was keeping the cormorant away, or at least it had decided on a much higher perch than usual.
I don't really blame him. It looked jolly cold down at ground level.
The ice was still there at lunchtime, but the sun had cleared away the clouds (and the early snow, which hadn't settled). Around the edge of the pond the small birds were making the most of the improved conditions, though finding food must be becoming increasingly difficult (note to self to fill up the bird feeders). 
Camera note: all shots 1-3 and 6-7 taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. Shots 4-5 taken with the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens.
derWandersmann
6 Dec 2012Lovely shots, Words … those black-headed gulls certainly underline your words, the way their heads are pulled in and their feathers puffed up!
One always wonders about birds' feet in cold weather … yes, the scientists say they have a form of anti-freeze in their blood, but I should think they'd still be in great pain.
gdare
6 Dec 2012Beautiful photo of a robin :yes:
SittingFox
6 Dec 2012I took Khamsin for a walk this morning…and slipped over on ice. Qatar seems to have modified my winter-coping abilities :rolleyes:
It does look very cold for birds, especially waterbirds. It's tough on the little birds to have a bitter winter on top of a very wet summer.
Words
6 Dec 2012Darko, thanks. That was quite a severe crop, but the light was so nice I wanted to get the shot. anyway.
Words
6 Dec 2012Adele, I bet Khamsin didn't mind the ice. She's well dressed for it. :smurf: Hopefully the birds were able to prepare for winter with the late burst of insect life last month. It's been a pretty poor year though weather-wise.
Words
6 Dec 2012dW, birds legs/feet and cold weather are one of nature's wonders. They do apparently have an unusual blood supply in the legs that helps them (something to do with the proximity of warm blood vessels to the cold ones…). I find it easier to double up on socks and wear gloves!