After a lack of theme yesterday, it feels like I'm back on track. I was once again at the pond, morning and at lunchtime. The weather is beautiful at the moment. Bright, warm sunshine, and it looks set to last.
As I arrived at the pond, a rare (but not totally unexpected) bird was standing by the edge of the water. 
It's a couple of months since I've seen a heron (the last time was in London) and seeing it against the morning light was an excellent way to start the day. Of course, my real reason for visiting the pond was somewhat smaller, and I wasn't disappointed. The full clutch seems to have moved away (I wonder whether they are being rather better protected out by the island in the centre of the pond where they will avoid most of the predators), but there was one remaining unhatched egg, and a tiny bundle of fluff. Finding an angle, and enough light in the deep shadow, was a struggle.
Even when the chick paddled over to its parent, the branches proved a reasonable challenge.
While the waterside provides the more obvious highlights, the surrounding trees have their own attractions, especially when the passerines (perching birds) are at their most active. Like this blue tit.
And these house sparrows (female first, then male).
The penultimate photo for today is a (mistle) thrush, taken at shortly after 1pm so I presume this is lunch. 😉
And overhead, someone else was also checking out the daily menu :yikes:
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
cotasieuquay
20 Apr 2011The young chick looks very tearful, only alone with no siblings around
Con vịt con nhìn tội nghiệp quá, không thấy anh chị em của nó đâu hết
SittingFox
20 Apr 2011I still say that moorhen chicks look like beings from another planet :alien: but they're still cute!
Nice shot of the spr'awk!
anonymous
20 Apr 2011Michael Morris writes:
What an elegant heron! I see them from time to time on the way to work, flying above Glynde Reach – but it's wonderful to see one as close as this.
cakkleberrylane
20 Apr 2011Great pictures! The moorehen chicks are so sweet, it looks like mum giving advice in the one shot.
wellisteffi
20 Apr 2011Excellent pictures! :up:
The little duck, but would need a toupee. 😆
gdare
20 Apr 2011Sparrows look friendly, as ever 😀
Words
20 Apr 2011Steffi, I know. They do look cute though without any hair 😀
Words
20 Apr 2011Adele, they are the most unfortunate looking chicks in so many ways, but I think that adds to their charm 🙂
Words
20 Apr 2011Darko, it's a really good spot for the sparrows, and it's always a pleasure to see them.
Words
20 Apr 2011Phạm Hoà ng Thanh, but it was happy to be fed! 🙂
Words
20 Apr 2011Michael, the herons do occasionally appear on Falmer Pond, but for absurdly close views you can't beat Regent's Park. Nice to see them properly in the wild though. They are spectacular creatures.
Words
20 Apr 2011Erwin, thanks!
Words
20 Apr 2011Lois, it does look like that! And I think the chick is complaining that it doesn't understand. 🙂
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Great Photos