I’ve been stretching and exercising and generally paying attention to my legs, which has improved things greatly. . I am now able to walk more or less painlessly and only need the stick for balance. At that point it seemed like a good idea to take a trip to the park and walk round the duckpond.
After all, what could possibly go wrong?
We got off to a bad start when my poor, stiff legs refused to cooperate, and only just made it to the first bench. Julia went for tea, biscuits and duck food while I sat and watched wildlife. Things are starting to happen in the park, with lots of leaves breaking out and a plenty of birdsong. I managed to miss photographs of all the singers. The best I could do were various blobs lurking, out of focus, behind twigs. A Long-tailed Tit spent a good ten minutes doing this. I can only assume there is some evolutionary benefit to annoying photographers.
Alternatively, bearing in mind the possibility that birds sing simply because they enjoy it, maybe Long-tailed Tits just enjoy winding me up.
There are at least six pairs of Greylag Geese on the pond, though it’s difficult to tell as they lurk behind the island. There are also six Red Crested Pochard – two pairs and two single males. The only nests we can see so far are two Coot nests.
The Odd Couple are still hanging about, but I don’t hold out much hope of breeding success.
Eventually, having taken tea and biscuits and tutted at the antics of various hellish toddlers, we set off and completed the circuit. I did need a bit of assistance from the stick in the last few yards.
Four hundred yards round a duck pond is hardly an expedition, but it’s a start.
I like the Odd Couple! Enjoyed all the photos from your day out. 🙂
Must get out more, I’m starting to become reclusive.
I like the video of the odd couple. I was wondering if the Mandarin has memories of following its mother when he was a chick. The Greylag has a similar rear end to a Mandarin. We had a Border Collie who was separated from her mother a little too early and she would always like to sit near black and white cows whenever possible.
I’m not sure what goes on in the head of a duck, but it could be.
I suspect not much goes on but probably more than goes on in a pheasant’s head!
True – pheasants are remarkably dim.
Tea and biscuits did the trick! Such a lovely place full of birds.
Yes, tea and biscuits rarely fail. 🙂
Well done. Good photography, too
Thanks Derrick. I’m gradually getting back to normal, and expect to be fully recovered by the time they take me back for the second go. 🙁
You are lucky to see long tailed tits which are among the most charming of birds. I hardly ever see one. Count your blessings.
They are lovely. It may be nesting nearby. I used to do a garden about 200 yards from the park and they nested in there.
The birds you did get photos of all look like they were happy to see you. I share your frustration about hearing singing birds and either being unable to find them or getting a picture if you do. I have always attributed it to the “staring at me from behind” phenomenon, birds just being super sensitive to any attention being paid to them. Sometimes they seem to like it but most of the time, maybe not.
Yes, there’s something at work which makes them skittish when you turn round. Butterfkies do the same. 🙂
I find butterflies are even more camera-averse, as if they can sense the focus mechanism. What I forgot to say though was that sometimes when you do get a bird to hold still, as if mesmerized, it might be due to the praise factor, as if “Oh, you think I’m pretty, really?” 🙂
Yes, I’ve wondered if they can sense the autofocus. 🙂 I’m now going to start talking to birds like models…