Coot

Portrait of a Coot. This bird has been around at Ferrymoor Flash for quite some time now. You would not think so by looking at it, but it is disabled. One of the legs is deformed. Whether this is how it was born or perhaps it was attacked who knows. But it is happily feeding and getting about. It even goes in to the lake for a short while. Many people wany it to be taken away, But this could be the end for it best to leave alone. 

 

Getting Greener

 Walking along this path at Ferrymoor Flash just shows how much we really miss Spring. The lovely green shades of  Trees and Foliage. Shadows on the ground being cast by the overhead morning sun. Even a blue sky to get us in a happy mood. If only it could stay like this and the over management would come to a halt. It would take an awful lot for this not to be one of the best Nature Reserves around.

Mute Swan

 Standing on a small island surrounded by trees this Canada Goose seems to be quite content on enjoying life at Ferrymoor Flash among many others. There is possibly a female close by in a nest sitting on a cluster of eggs. I was very pleased when I captured this photo the sunlight was providing a perfect background.

Horse Chestnut

 Probably better known as the Conker tree these large lush green leaves really stand out at this time of the year. This tree is actually beyond the boundary of Ferrymoor Flash. But when it has flowered and the fruits start to appear it will not be long before autumn is here, and conkers are starting to appear on the path. I can always remember playing conkers back in school days it was  great competition among my friends.

What do you think of the new Background? It out of focus raindrops.

Black Headed Gull

 This Black Headed Gull in winter plumage was flying about with many others at Ferrymoor Flash. Although it is called Black Headed the head of the adult bird is more of a chocolate colour. This one in winter plumage just has a black marking behind the eye.

Hawthorn Buds

 Yesterdays visit to Ferrymoor Flash was after the night before when we had a large down poor of rain. Everything was glistening in the morning sunshine and it gave me the opportunity to capture this shot of Hawthorn Buds. The circles of highlights are out of focus raindrops. Some photographers get this effect by carrying a spray bottle of water but I prefer the real thing. You may have not noticed but part of this images has been used as a background for this website.

Gadwall Male

 The Gadwall nests in low numbers and is on the RSPB Amber list. This bird was happily swimming around at Ferrymoor Flash. I managed to capture this shot through some shrubbery close to the bank of the lake. This helped to isolate the bird in the picture.