It was almost a beutiful day today. There was lots of sunshine, marred only by a few sharp showers that passed over quickly (though I did manage to get caught in one at lunchtime). The morning though was dry, and bright.

Down at Falmer Pond, the greylags were honking, and I watched pair come in to land on the water.

Note the rather dapper duck in the background. He’s the Muscovy drake, and a fine looking duck if ever there was one. He’s taken a fancy to the park bench and commandeers it most mornings.

Meanwhile the female Muscovy prefers the leafy fringes around the church. Here she is on the wall by the entrance.

She then headed towards the ivy and eventually disappeared through the hedge into a neighbouring garden.

One more of the drake. A face like this simply demands a portrait.

That’s what I call a dapper duck!

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

Yesterday’s sun was a blip. Overcast once again today, and the pond is full to the brim.

The main sequence is the Muscovy drake, coming in to land having flown the length of the pond. He had spotted one of the locals who arrive regularly to feed the ducks in the morning and was anxious to make sure he didn’t miss out on any grub. Muscovy ducks are surprisingly good in the air (flight seems a near impossible feat when you watch them waddle on the ground), but they are a touch inelegant, especially when they realize it’s time to touch down again. These are four consecutive shots taken over around half a second.

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.