We've had a lot of rain over the past few days and I encountered the strange sight of ducks eschewing the lake in favour of paddling around in the muddy paths.
The pigeons were enjoying the opportunity to bathe…
…but the greylags were stomping around in something of an ugly mood.
It goes without saying that some birds did prefer the water, especially those who have perfect plumage to pamper. This one needs no introduction.
This one might… it's a great crested grebe in its new (winter) coat.
And a pair of red-crested pochards were arguing over a lake-weed lunch.
The herons were keeping their own counsel, as ever they do.
All this in the heart of one of the busiest cities in the world…
On the home front, the young male fox was back. He seems to be making himself at home…
…even if he does have his shy moments 😉
Camera note: all park shots taken with the Canon 40D and EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM. The young fox was photographed with the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens.
RobinL
8 Jan 2011Words, wonderful shots. Our weather has been exactly the same. Wet, wet, wet. We finally saw a wee bit of sun this afternoon, but it's raining again!
7Wellis
8 Jan 2011Oh, I like the pictures. And mostly I like the third. It is great.
wellisteffi
8 Jan 2011Oh, that looks really after much rain. :yikes:
For us through the many rain
and the thaw of the river strongly
increased.
In Germany there are many areas
now flooding. 🙁
cakkleberrylane
8 Jan 2011I love the expression on the face of the greylags, very grumpy indeed!
ojsnascimento
8 Jan 2011Great shots, Words!
Words
8 Jan 20117Wellis, thanks. The goose in the third photo was chasing all the other geese. Fortunately they seem to leave humans alone.
Words
8 Jan 2011Lois, there are packs of greylags (and Canada geese) all over the park. Oddly, I don't think it liked getting its feet wet 😉
Words
8 Jan 2011Erwin, thanks!
Words
8 Jan 2011Steffi, I was surprised to see so much of the ground waterlogged, but I guess the ground is still very sodden from the snow. I hope the floods are not too bad where you are.
Words
8 Jan 2011Orlando, thanks!
Words
8 Jan 2011Robin, thanks. It's been fairly miserable this week although there is promise of sunshine tomorrow (and we had a brief glimpse of the yellow ball in the sky this afternoon) 🙂
7Wellis
9 Jan 2011Originally posted by Words:
😆 That would pretty much hurt. I am amazed how close you came to approach the goose. Here where I live, there are thousands of wild geese in winter from the Arctic. They overwinter here and fly back in the spring. You may have a look. They fly away as soon as one gets too close.
wellisteffi
9 Jan 2011Here in the place it goes.
Some cities in Germany, but only
to reach even by boat or high ridges.
wierdf
9 Jan 2011I really like all of them! :yes:
Words
9 Jan 2011Steffi, I just looked at the news reports for Germany. I hadn't realized how bad the flooding was 🙁
7Wellis
9 Jan 2011Thank you for the answer. Today I was very lucky to come a little bit closer to them. You may have a look if you want.
Words
9 Jan 2011I just did! It looks really beautiful there.
Words
9 Jan 20117Wellis, the geese in the park are very tame as are all the birds (even the visiting migrants). It makes it too easy to get photos. I actually prefer more wild locations where you have to work a bit harder (like the vast flock in your photos :up: ).
wellisteffi
9 Jan 2011Yes. :up:
We would first school to be flooded.
In Mannheim and Worms are far
only trees under water.
I will try this week a few pictures
to make.
Words
9 Jan 2011Steffi, is your area ok?
7Wellis
9 Jan 2011Originally posted by Words:
Thank you for the visit! 🙂
wellisteffi
9 Jan 2011Yes and it is only the beginning.
In the next few days,
it will perhaps be even worse. :eyes:
SittingFox
9 Jan 2011Well, I'm glad someone enjoyed the weather last week! Me, I much prefer the bright-and-cold stuff we had this weekend! :right:
Herons look more mysterious and sinister to me each time I see them!
Words
9 Jan 2011Steffi, good that you are ok. It would be interesting to see some photos when you have time. Thanks!
Words
9 Jan 2011Adele, I agree about bright-and-cold. Much better than grey-and-wet (even if it is perfect weather for ducks).
I couldn't resist posting the heron flying against buildings. I agree… they are very strange and anachronistic looking creatures.
7Wellis
10 Jan 2011Are you interested in seeing pictures of the flood on the Lower Rhine? Then click here.
Words
10 Jan 2011Thanks for posting those pictures. That's an awful lot of water.
7Wellis
11 Jan 2011Yes, you are right, but right now, so I think, the Australians in Queensland turn much worse.
wellisteffi
11 Jan 2011Here are a few pictures of our river.
Then you can easily see the difference.
http://my.opera.com/wellisteffi/blog/hochwasser
Will this week try another
to make some pictures of the Rhine at Worms.
Since the flooding is still a bit worse.
wellisteffi
11 Jan 2011You're welcome. :up:
Words
11 Jan 2011Steffi, thanks for those photos. With luck you'll be ok.
Words
11 Jan 20117Wellis, yes the situation in Australia is shocking 🙁
7Wellis
11 Jan 2011Originally posted by Words:
It is much more dramatic than in Germany.
Ukwildlife
12 Jan 2011Great photos – your making me miss regents!
Words
12 Jan 2011Neil, I have to say it's good having so many guaranteed subjects to pick from.
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Wonderful Pict