The joy of Spring

PeterD-2009

The Coot Family - Milton Common

The north end of Swan Lake has become the nursery for three pairs of Coot and their offspring. The adults were driving away everything that ventured here.

I thought I would share some of the images I took with you.











Greylag Goose family - Poole, Dorset.


This little Gosling wandered off a short distance from the family. The adults wee however very watchful for its safety.


Mum provided warmth, safety and security under her wing.




The serrated cutting edge on the bill can be seen here. Useful when tearing vegetation up to eat.

Hope you like these.

Harryb

Nice work Peter. We get innundated with coots down here in the fall and winter. Our local eagles just love them.

PeterD-2009

Harryb wrote: »

Nice work Peter. We get innundated with coots down here in the fall and winter. Our local eagles just love them.

Thanks for your reply and comments Harry.
Raptors need to live and feed their young too:D.

Dennis Kaczor

Nice series Peter, thhose little coots are not what you call cute.

PeterD-2009

Dennis Kaczor wrote: »

Nice series Peter, thhose little coots are not what you call cute.

Thanks for your reply Dennis.
When taking the photograph 'Ugly Duckling' came to mind:D. Still, the Coot adult is much more handsome but a nightmare to photograph.

Dennis Kaczor

PeterD-2009 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply Dennis.
When taking the photograph 'Ugly Duckling' came to mind:D. Still, the Coot adult is much more handsome but a nightmare to photograph.

You are welcome Peter, funny that you mentioned Ugly Duckling, that was the word I was trying to find at the time of the reply. I agree coots are a real hard bird to photograph, and the only way to get a decent shot is in the proper lighting which in most cases we don't get.

PeterD-2009

Thread update - 16 May 2011
The conditions were quite dull today but I thought I would still give it a go.......

The Coot Family, 2 weeks on....

Well, two weeks have passed since I last saw this family. The young Coot have grown considerably. They no-longer possess the long ragged down and garish colours but now look much more handsome. Quite a transformation.
They have learnt to dive for the vegetation that forms their food but the lake is deep and some just cannot help themselves and ask the adults for help.


This posture is the sign of begging for the food. the adult just dropped it on the surface of the water for the young Coot to pick up. I guess encouraging the youngster to find its own supply:D.

They are much more independent than before but still the adults watch over them.





At the first sign of trouble, they all gather round an adult.



The House Sparrow

The first fledglings were around the garden waiting to be fed by the adults. I did not manage to get a shot of one being fed.:cry





I shall update this thread with more images in this vein as and when I get them.