It was a little brighter this morning when I arrived at Falmer. Partly due to some improved weather, and of course dawn being just a few minutes earlier as each day passes. The Muscovy ducks were there, and at the far end of the pond the greylag geese were sitting calmly on the water.

The peace was shattered by a pair of greylags making a short and noisy flight to the centre of the pond, followed closely by a gaggle of loudly hooting geese. It looked like a fight, but this was the rather more serious business of mating. These are a few highlights from a much lengthier sequence.

greylag geese mating

greylag geese mating

greylag geese mating

greylag geese mating

greylag geese mating

greylag geese mating

greylag geese mating

greylag geese mating

greylag geese mating

The afternoon brought more sunshine (!) and some typical scenes of sheep grazing on the Downs.

Flock of sheep

Plus my first photo this year of a green woodpecker.

Green woodpecker

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

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