Ducklings & Deer, Swans & Beer

Finally a day of sunshine, and although I was able to get out and about along the river, the wildlife still doesn't seem to want to play. Leaving me resigned to photographing the ever present Mute Swan family. Who appear to have lost a Cygnet since I last saw them, but are still doing well to have 6 now out of 7, 5 or 6 weeks after they were born,

Mute Swan Family 

The one constant along with the rain at the moment is the family of Mallard Ducklings that seem to be living on our lawn day and night, holding my Mum ransom for food. They seem to be pretty daring too, dodging the gauntlet of 3 Spaniels to come a good 30 yards from the safety of the river. Its almost quite funny to watch now as the Dogs appear not to be giving them a second thought until they edge almost to the point of no return. But so far its Ducklings 12 Spaniels Nil.

Mallard Ducklings

Mallard Ducklings

Mallard Ducklings

Mallard Ducklings

After a few beers and a sun soaked BBQ, a late evening walk along the River followed, we paused quite a while trying to make out what had disturbed 2 Roe Deer in one of the Water meadows as they ran at quite a speed round and round in circles. We soon then realised that it was the Buck chasing the Doe in tight figure of eights. A little bit of research proved to be the mating ritual, something none of us had witnessed before. As apparently it takes place usually at first light or dusk.

Randy Roe

http://www.facebook.com/MartinClayPhotography I would be more than grateful for any 'Likes' or Comments on my FB Photography Page.

The Ugly Ducklings

The Mute Swans have finally hatched off down at Rooksbury, although it seems only 2 of the 7 eggs actually hatched, I managed to catch up with them on Friday lunchtime in some rather warm sunshine. The two Cygnets are pretty mobile already, following Mom & Dad all around the lake.

Its amazing how much difference a few rays of sunshine make. Not a lot else about on the water other than a pair of Coot, Mallard & Gadwall. But that could be something to do with the now resident Otters.

http://www.facebook.com/MartinClayPhotography

Garden Birding & New Arrivals

Confined to barracks by the weather, I set the tripod up in the porch on a very grey and cold May Saturday morning, hoping to capture some of the activity on the seed feeding station in the garden, which now gets refilled every other day. The local Goldfinches & Greenfinches are quite partial to emptying the Niger and particularly Sunflower feeders. Whilst crippling mothers purse, it does mean that there frequent visits mean I didn't have to wait too long for a photo opportunity.

Greenfinch

Greenfinch 

Goldfinch

With the Goldies and Greenies not pausing to long on the uprights before descending upon the nuts, I hoped for a slightly slower moving bird. The next to visit was the Coal Tit who seems incapable of staying more than 2 seconds to feed, Im not sure if its a size thing, as an inferior sized member of the Tit family he / she might be intimidated by the larger birds or just the fact they've got a lot of hungry mouths to feed and can't hang around socializing over lunch. 

Finally some slow moving garden inhabitants, as 4 Long tailed Tits joined a couple of Blue Tits on their feeder of choice containing the Fat balls. I think they are such characters!

A midday phone-call, and panic stations!!! Prepare a cricket pitch to play on in less than 24 hours, 10mins later from short drive up the valley, and Im watching 2 rather unexpected visitors in a pair of Ravens circling the field next to my cricket pitch. I don't ever recall seeing them in this part of sleepy Hampshire before. As the afternoon progressed and the sun deciding to put in an appearance, once back in Longparish I thought I'd check on the Greylags, the Goslings seem to have grown substantially in the week or so since I first saw them as a Geese grazed side by side with the rough looking rare breed sheep.

Greylag

I was quite surprised to find a Goldcrest singing in the tree above me as I noticed the newest family arrivals in the village a Mute Swan pair with 4 fluffy grey Cygnets, who couldn't have been no more than a couple of days old.

http://www.facebook.com/MartinClayPhotography