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David

Three herons sunbathing, one at a time

One of three herons sunbathing

Closer views of the three herons featured in the previous post. One was standing as if asleep, but occasionally moving its head as it checked nothing was happening. The one in the middle was preening energetically, and the third was half-hidden in the greenery.

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David

Three herons sunbathing

Heron sunbathing

A sunny noon at the end of last month. Three herons on the edge of West Park’s boating lake island, all on the southern shore where they were catching the sun.

Although they were only a few yards from each other, they were all carefully standing so that none of them could see the other two birds.

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David

Swim fast, fish often – little grebes

Swim fast, fish often - little grebes

A group of four little grebes, swimming rapidly up the canal. They were diving frequently for fish, and eating them without slowing down.

The bird in front was the largest of the four. It was still in summer plumage, and seemed to be calling frequently to the rest of the group.

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David

Tiny snowy waxcaps

Tiny snowy waxcaps

Snowy waxcaps, timy pure white mushrooms so small that they were barely peeping above the moss they were growing through.

Tiny snowy waxcap

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David

What big eyes you have

What big eyes you have

Male southern hawker in close-up.

This superb insect was resting on a bush by the side of the track at Northycote Farm back at the end of July.

I’ve just been reviewing my pictures, and realised I already posted several other pictures of this dragonfly, but for some reason, had missed out the most detailed one.

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David

Shoveller drake swimming by

Shoveller drake swimming by

Male shoveller swimming at speed, the front of his beak ploughing the surface of the water as he heads across the boating lake at West Park.

Shoveller drake swimming by