Back at the Pond and a Graveyard Surprise!

I went in search of fluffiness today, and I wasn't disappointed. The moorhens were staying out of sight, but the goslings were up early and I caught them on their daily constitutional as they wended their way to the water's edge.

Close by, another young family was waking up.

At lunchtime the goslings were still enjoy the warm sunshine, the gulls were gathering in the middle of the pond, and moorhens were scrapping as only they can. I took plenty of photos but there was one surprise waiting for me. On the opposite side of the pond to the church is a second graveyard. It's very pretty and well-maintained, and dappled sunlight reaches down through the leafy canopy. As I was reaching that side of the pond I heard a quiet calling.

No it wasn't a gosling, though that one seems to be listening. And it was nothing spooky. As I emerged from the trees I came across a greater spotted woodpecker, low on the trunk of one of the boundary conifers, busy searching for insects.

The camera was set for bright sunshine, so it took me a few moments (and several blurred shots) before I adjusted things properly (or at least sufficiently to get a usable shutter speed). By the time I'd tweaked the ISO, changed the exposure compensation and realigned myself, the woodpecker had crept round almost to the far side of the tree. Almost, but not quite.

Now I only need to track down the green woodpecker which also inhabits that small piece of woodland!
Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

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This Post Has 8 Comments

  1. wellisteffi

    4 May 2011

    Excellent pictures. :up:
    I love the woodpecker imagines. :happy:

  2. gdare

    4 May 2011

    Graveyard surprise 😆 I was thinking what could be that… :eyes: :doh:

  3. Words

    4 May 2011

    Steffi, thanks. The woodpecker was a rare treat. They are usually high up in the trees (and completely hidden from view).

  4. Words

    4 May 2011

    Darko, so was I , so was I. It was a surprise to see the woodpecker like that. A nice one though. 🙂

  5. Words

    5 May 2011

    Ewrin, thanks! I've had some good sightings this week.

  6. SittingFox

    6 May 2011

    Always great to see the woodpeckers!

    As for the chicks…they're cute. Yes, I've said it before. /runs to find a thesaurus

  7. Words

    7 May 2011

    Adele, thanks. Woodpeckers are indeed always a treat to see, and this is up there with my best sightings (and certainly the closest). A thesaurus is a good idea!

  8. Wulpen

    19 Oct 2012

    Excellent :up:

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