Perfect Pintail

A fortnight or so ago, I had a spare Sunday, and Sister in tow I decided on a winter visit to Slimbridge. With a dry day forecast we awoke to a crisp clear morning, a quick defrost of the car and on our way. The 80 or so miles to Gloucestershire. Arriving just after 9.30am we headed straight for the Rushy, I was hoping for some nice photographs, so with the Sun behind the hides we decided to go the opposite direction of the publicised route. 

I am glad we did as stepping into the Rushy Hide, the water and birds positively glowed in the early morning light. The water as still as a lilly pond and a deep blue colour, one that brilliant reflected the many ducks that swam and preened on it.

The stars of the show for me on this visit, were the first birds I encountered. The Rushy was holding a lot of freshly arrived wintering Pintail, around a hundred or so milled around on the still water or adjoined muddy edges. Its only really in this gorgeous early morning winter sunlight that I realised what a truly gorgeous Duck the Pintail is, in my eyes its sleek form oozes sophistication and Elegance, and although muted Browns and Greys a very Eye catching species right down to the point of its namesake the Pinned tail feathers.

I shall leave you with a selection of Pintail shots from this encounter, and here is to hoping they find their way to an area of water local to me throughout the winter.

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