Psilos Bird Journal
Wednesday September 26th 2007
     
"Stone the crows"
 
     
Today the sun was shining but summer is clearly over as the wind had a bite that promised winter was on its way. I will clearly have to start wearing more layers when I go out. A walk around the park showed that there wasnt much about but the light on the water was quite wonderful so I decided to focus on the Tufted ducks that are always numerous here through the winter.
     
Male Tufted duck
     
Tufted duck female

Keeping low so that the birds came in close I tried to capture them mid dive. This is a challenge that requires split second timing and no matter how fast the camera it still really comes down to chance. I have to say that sadly I didnt really get what I wanted but there is always next time.

 
 
Today bread throwers were out in great force. Scraps littered the grass and it was attracted not just the ducks, swans and geese but also Magpies and Carrion Crows. These birds are very wary and creeping up on them was hard work. It seemed that as I took one step forward they always took two steps back.

What promised to be a good sunny afternoon was all too quickly cut short with the arrival of heavy rain clouds. The light had gone and my fingers were freezing. Time to head home though not before I saw this one lonely starling posing nicely. Never one to pass up any bird willing to sit for me I took my final shot of the afternoon.