I was in Regent's Park at lunchtime today. The whooper swans were preening sedately at the side of water.
Red-crested pochards were swimming serenely along the water. 
Geese were chomping through acres of grass. The gulls were circling while the herons stood watch. And the coots… well the coots were going crazy.
This looks highly territorial, though the aggression is part of their mating behaviour: a battle for the best bit of the lake. Except every bit of the lake is identical on this stretch, so the fighting is certainly more ritual than meaningful. But it was fun to watch, and they seemed quite happy with the game.
The black-headed gulls were also exhibiting courtship behaviour. This one was contorting itself both in and out of the water, bending its neck in a low arc while calling.
As for the park squirrels, they're still around, still greedy, and still great photographic subjects.
It would be nice to have some sunshine. The cloud cover today blocked out the partial eclipse this morning, and there is not much prospect of improvement for the rest of the week. Still, it won't be too long now until spring 🙂
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 40D and EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM.
cakkleberrylane
4 Jan 2011Beautiful pictures, it looks as if you had a delightful day! Courting already! – it won't be long until the chicks are out and about.
wellisteffi
5 Jan 2011Great pictures and beautiful post. 🙂
studio41
5 Jan 2011I've never seen a red-crested pochard before! interesting looking duck!
Words
5 Jan 2011Adele, I'm being optimistic about spring with all the forecasts of more winter to come. The gulls were quieter today, but I saw many more squabbling coots. The gull movement is almost the inverse of a pigeon… low and concave.
Words
5 Jan 2011Lois, thanks! These were taken in my lunch break, but it is nice to have the park so close.
Words
5 Jan 2011Jill, the red-crested pochards are exceptionally pretty little things. They look bright, whatever the weather 🙂
Words
5 Jan 2011Steffi, thanks!
SittingFox
5 Jan 2011Birds do get themselves into some fascinating shapes. That first gull looks like a torpedo!
Interesting behaviour from the coots. Their feet look even more alien at that angle :alien:
It's good to know that that days are getting longer but spring still feels a long way off to me. It look like November here now! :right:
Words
5 Jan 2011Erwin, thanks. I've some better shots from today 😉
studio41
9 Jan 2011Originally posted by Words:
that helps along a rainy day 😀
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Lovely