Fish and Frogs

No not fish and chips but fish and frogs!! Recently I have visited again local nature reserves where previously I had encounters with great crested grebes and a great white egret.They were still both around and were quite active.The great white egret was enjoying a feast of frogs and as it was spawning time the egret was finding easy pickings in and amongst the lake vegetation.The grebes as ever in between sessions of sunbathing and preening were having success catching fish.Previously they had provided me with great images with pike they had caught.This time one of the grebes had a nice perch which was quickly dispatched before it's mate grabbed it.

I managed a few images of the action which are shown below.Currently the coronavirus is spreading at an alarming rate through the country and very soon I suspect that we could be in a lockdown situation similar to Italy and Spain and all movement may be suspended.I sincerely hope this isn't the case and I am able to get out and about to bring you more of Lancashire's wonderful wildlife.Thanks for looking in and stay safe and healthy.

Grebes...Courting and Fishing

This week I returned to watch the great crested grebes at a local nature reserve.The weather had at last settled down and it was more like Spring.The storms had gone away and conditions were calm as I arrived with camera at the ready.Ten minutes down the track and I was watching the pair of grebes performing their head shaking display.Later I found the pair fishing in a secluded little bay.

The next half hour or so proved very exciting as both grebes were successful in catching pike.It was great action for the camera and you can see the results below.A couple of other photographers arrived but just too late to see the action.A case of you should have been here five minutes ago !! I then moved on to another part of the reserve to see what was about.Again it was good with goosanders goldeneye and cormorants.Images of these may be posted later.I then returned to the main lake to find the grebes were still fishing where I had left them.

Once more they performed for me and again you can see the results in images 10-15 below.All in all it had been an excellent session with these lovely birds and I hope to return soon when the grebes may possibly be nesting and I look forward to seeing the grebe chicks eventually.Thanks for looking in and I will be back soon.Next week it may be a visit to the coast as high tides are due.!!

Great Crested Grebes...February 2020

That time of the year had arrived when I look forward to catching up with the Great Crested Grebes at a local Nature Reserve.About now they begin their elaborate courtship and mating rituals and can make for some interesting images.The weather recently has been awful with constant rain and gales.Despite this I decided on a visit to the location.The weather was still very disturbed with frequent wintry showers and a strong wind.I was able to find some shelter and made a couple of afternoon visits to the site.

It was nice to find a pair of grebes present and I managed a few shots of them displaying.What was also very good was one of the grebes catching a nice sized perch which it took time to turn head first before swallowing.I have shown this sequence of shots in images 10-13.The robins at the site were also in fine form looking for handouts from passers by and made for a nice image.I also got nice images of a tufted duck showing off his splendid plumage and the ever present mute swans were also begging for food.A perched cormorant also made for a nice portrait shot.The final images are of blackthorn and primroses in bloom some of the first flowers to bloom.

Thanks for looking in and hope you enjoy the images below.

I will be back next month with more from my travels.

Egrets...Mere Sands Wood

The weather is still very disturbed following Storm Dennis which left many parts of the country suffering from severe flooding.Lancashire escaped the worst of the weather although there has been a lot of rain and the ground is saturated.Today the sun is shining which is a rare treat although the wind is still very strong.There may be more rain on the way!!!

Despite the bad weather I did manage to get out with the camera and I visited Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve where I hadn't been for some time.It was nice to enjoy the comfort of the hides sheltered from the strong and cold winds.I was hoping for some action from the grebes at the Cyril Gibbons hide but there was only one bird present.There were ducks present and I enjoyed taking images of gadwall,goosanders and shovelers which can be seen below.The highlight of the day however was the presence at the Rufford hide of a great white egret.

I spent the rest of my time photographing the great white and a little egret.Both egrets were very active and were catching mostly small fish.It was good to compare these two egrets and particularly the size which is shown well in the first image.It was nice to spend time with this uncommon visitor to Mere Sands Wood and I hope it stays around for more people to enjoy.I left in more unpleasant wet and windy weather.Thanks for looking in and I will be back soon and hopefully so will better weather.