Tag Archives: duck

Morning Light and a stoat-ally special surprise

The weather is holding good. It’s mild, and today the early mists were being beaten back by some beautiful sunshine. Good light makes all the difference to taking photos, especially of common subjects such as these ducks. Each makes a slightly different use of the light, though my favourite is the silhouette.

Duck on rock

white duck landing

duck silhouette

As the sun rises the light loses its quality, but it was still provided some nice illumination of a young rat scrabbling over the rocks.

rat

rat

The really special moment came later in the day, with the sun high. I was back at the pond, but for a change looked out into the surrounding fields. At the edge of the woodland fringe a sharp movement caught my eye. As a startled rabbit ran out to safety in the field I spotted a stoat darting through the thick brush. These aren’t the best shots of a stoat, but I see stoats so rarely that I’m not going to leave them out.

Stoat

Stoat

Stoat

Stoat

Stoat

The entire sighting was over in about 8 seconds. Naturally I stayed glued to the spot in case it reappeared, but it wasn’t to be. Wonderful to see though.

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

Posted in Birds, rats, Stoat, water birds, Wildlife Also tagged , , , |

Time for Feathers (and just a hint of fur)

Once again it was very foggy this morning, but despite the conditions I headed to the pond. As you can see the conditions were – let’s say – sub-optimal.

Grey heron in early morning mist

The skies had cleared by mid-morning. The small flock of greylag geese were in typically rumbustious mood.

Greylag geese

Greylag geese

There was the briefest hint of some sunshine too. The Muscovy ducks (known as ‘ugly ducks’ locally), were enjoying a drink out on the island in the centre of the pond.

Pair of Muscovy ducks

And of course there are always the mallards and the herring gulls…

duck,gull and rat

The gull took off as I edged in for a closer look. The duck and the rat (yes, a hint of fur) were rather more preoccupied with foraging.

duck and rat

duck and rat

duck and rat

Tonight’s final shot is a cute family portrait!

Adult and juvenile brown rats

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

Posted in Behaviour, Birds, rats, water birds, Wildlife Also tagged , , , , |

By the Waterside

The start of a new week, and another trip to Falmer Pond. The house martins have fledged, but with the sun shining it was chance to take some photos of the ducks. I see them all the time, but all too frequently neglect them.

Ducks at Falmer Pond,

Ducks at Falmer Pond,

The heron was there once again, and obliged with a gentle glide across the pond.

Grey heron

The swallows are preparing for their winter migration to Africa, and still making something of a splash locally.

Swallow

Just away from the water’s edge, on the stone wall of the local church, young sparrows were waiting to be fed.

Sparrow fledglings

And while all this was going on, a young rat quietly sat and grazed on seeds scattered in the muddy fringe on the far side of the pond.

rat

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

Posted in Birds, rats, water birds, Wildlife Also tagged , , , , , , |