It's about 3 weeks since I last went out to Wakehurst Place, but the chance of some bright (if cold) weather was too good to miss. The magnificent magnolia that was in full display has now shed it's blossom, but the birds were out in force, including the robins which for once were being uncommonly cooperative.
There were plenty of ducks there as well.
And I really do mean plenty of ducks. This group were following a group of children down to the water's edge in the hope of being fed. It makes a change from the other main duck activity which seems to be being chased by toddlers! It's something about ducks, I guess but they're impossible to ignore.
Among the other sightings were a small flock of pied wagtails, blackbirds, chaffinches, dunnocks, and several magnficent pheasants.
More shots in the updated Wakehurst Place 2008 album.
Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens + Kenko 1.4x Pro 300 DG teleconverter.
19 Comments
OH My! Simply breath taking shots Words!
Especially the first shot of the pheasant. WOW!
It's almost too pretty to be real! Magnificent! :yes:
Wonderful scene of the "toddlers". Such a pleasure to see.
Superior photos.. Off to see Wakehurst Place Album.
You always get the most amzing close-ups :up:
Wonderful pheasant in the daffodils! :yes:
When I was down in Hastings recently, we drove past a pond and got mobbed (car and all) by the most persistant geese I've ever met. Kelly was in the back and she stared down at them out of the window in scarcely-hidden astonishment…
Wonderful set of photos :yes:
Great pictures! my magnolia isn't even out yet! just showing signs of the pink buds opening today. Hope it hangs on until after this cold snap. I've never been to Wakehurst. Great to see what it's like. Jane
WOW! :eyes:
Wow some nice photos there. Love the colours on the pheasant
Adele, the pheasant shot more or less proves that the teleconverter can produce sharp images and retain colour information 😉
I only got mildly mobbed by some ducks pecking at my feet. I can imagine the look on Kelly's face (dog bemusement!) when the geese mobbed you. 😆
Thanks Andy!
Neil, the sun was playing hide and seek for much of the time but came out nicely for the pheasant.
Vulpes, :cheers:
Thanks Mickeyjoe. I had a pretty powerful lens on the camera, which helps.
Jane, there was a lot more colour around this weekend than at the beginning of the month, but the magnolia was almost bare of blossom with just some remnants. he recent storms can't have helped.
Thanks Bitzy. Wakehurst Place is about 40 minutes from here, but a wonderful place to visit (plus it has a tea room). They do some serious conservation work there and are home to the Millennium Seed Bank.
I have heard of the Millennium Seed Bank. It is Great Work and I wish them much success!
Lovelly pics, the Robin looks perfect. :yes: What a lot of Ducks lol!
Superb pheasant picture! And the other photos are very good too :up:
Volkuro, I was particularly pleased with the pheasant, so thanks!
Mark, Iwas pleased with the robin. I finally got a bold one that would pose! And ducks galore too.