It's been raining for over 12 hours now, but it was dry early this morning when I visited Falmer Pond. I was greeted by a guard of young gulls perched on the church wall.
They soon moved away and my attention turned to the greylags at the water's edge. They were grouped around, and a pair were acting defensively whenever another approached. Here's one greylag 'goosing' another.
And then chasing it away across the pond.
The cause of all this activity was down to this tiny pair. They're the first hatchlings of the season. The adults are clearly being very protective towards them, and I can understand why.
Now we just need some decent weather!
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
6 Comments
Thank heavens for that long lens, eh? I'll wager they would have taken umbrage at a closer approach from you. They can give out quite a beating to the unwary.
It's hard to believe these funny little balls of fuzz can come out looking anything like as magnificent a bird as their parents, but they do, every time.
The gulls are in the "missing man" formation.
Definite cuteness alert 😀
I think I've forgotten what spring in England feels like! Twelve hours of rain – and I guess the hosepipe ban is still in force.
Anonymous writes:
Those little fuzzballs are indeed so cute! — Marilyn
Marilyn, thanks! It's a good time of year for cuteness (or would be if the rain would let up).
Adele, we're getting close to flood warnings now (actually there are 5 flood warnings in the south west as I type), but still the 'drought' goes on and woe betide anyone who even looks at a hose pipe.
dW, the adults hiss a fair bit but I've never seen them attack anyone. I had to look twice at the gull photo, but yes 'missing man' is it. 🙂