Having captured the relatively rare sight of ducks on a roof last week, I came across this pretty female mallard enjoying the early morning sunshine. She was perched on the boundary wall to the church. 
There's nothing unusual about that, but what she did next was a surprise. She flew up into the large tree that is usually one of the preferred roosts of the local jackdaws.
She eventually dug her way into the tick ivy that clings to the tree. She'll have no problem getting down, but I do hope that she isn't choosing that spot (about 30' above ground level) for egg-laying. That could cause problems when she decides to lead the chicks to water!
Back home we had a surprise visitor this evening. Yes, Shutterbug the fox made a brief call. Nice to see him again. He's started his moult, and looked tired but otherwise well.
And to close, one more of the owls. This time another flight shot of the tawny, taken in the late afternoon light over more open ground.
Camera note: duck shots taken with the Canon 7D EF and 400mm f/5.6L USM lens. The fox was photgraphed with the EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens, and the owl with the EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM lens.
RobinL
22 Mar 2012Words, most unusual, I've never seen a Mallard in a tree!
I have been very much enjoying your owls!
derWandersmann
23 Mar 2012She looks quite small, too … I wonder if she's more attracted to heights because she's lighter?
Poor Shutterbug looks as though he'd appreciate a good combing.
serola
23 Mar 2012That duck looks very proud 😀
gdare
23 Mar 2012Maybe duck saw Shutterbug sneaking around and thought it would be the best not to test a luck and keep safe distance :left:
Words
24 Mar 2012dW, that's a good point about the duck. More of Shutterbug in today's blog. He does look scruffy, but that's normal for this time of year.
Words
24 Mar 2012Robin, thanks. The tree has very thick branches so I guess the duck felt quite stable up there, but it was strange to see. When I get some time I'll sort out more of the owl images and put an album together 😉
Words
24 Mar 2012Sami, yes she's too clever for her own good.
Words
24 Mar 2012Darko, ah but foxes can climb trees!
…. though maybe not that one. 😉
SittingFox
26 Mar 2012I've never seen a mallard in a tree either. There's always one that wants to experiment!
Words
28 Mar 2012Erwin, thanks!
Words
28 Mar 2012Adele, maybe I should try to start a series of 'common creatures in uncommon places'. It was a first for me too. 🙂
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Great shots