Really lovely to see so many wild Mandarin Ducks

Tags:   Mandarin Duck Beautiful Colourful Wildlife Wild Lake Nature Reflection

© All Rights Reserved

One of three juveniles' this Grebe 'chick' is now almost the same size as the parent

The youngsters are diving (although still to emerge with a fish) and much to the parents angst paddling off in all directions., sometimes disappearing into the reeds for long periods

In short family life is coming to an end

It's natural of course., we humans also eventually 'leave the nest'., but the process is so much quicker in the world of birds., and once dispersed there will be no subsequent family 'get togethers'
They are gone for good

Applying human 'thinking patterns' to wild birds is of course ludicrous., but Grebe's do demonstrate 'tight family characteristics' and you have to wonder...
Will the parents feel sadness when they have gone?
Can they feel sadness?
Or will they just mechanically carry on without giving it a second thought?
Or is that 'second thought' just beyond them anyway?
Unless you happen to be a Grebe., there's no way of knowing!

Thanks for looking, comments and faves. Much appreciated!

Tags:   Grebes Avian Feeding Lake Ducks Canon 7D Mark II Nature Birds Water Animal Wildlife

© All Rights Reserved

Ann and I are not expert birders., far from it!

We can tell the difference between a chicken and an eagle but beyond that it starts to get 'tricky'

So we decided to 'ask the experts'., that's all of you

Is this a Hybrid Wigeon?

Tags:   Avian Bird Duck Eyes Flying Feathers unusual hybrid Wigeon Wildlife Wild Wings Water waterbird

© All Rights Reserved

The Weed Dance
An amazing almost Choreographed dance routine performed by Great Crested Grebe's

Essentially it's a courtship routine., but how the sequence ever came into existence., and how these birds know how to perform it is a remarkable conundrum., somehow it's engrained into their DNA!

Interestingly we have watched two Pigeons perform a less elaborate version on our garden fence before mating!

We humans put it to music., but you can only conclude that 'dance' is very much a product of nature., especially in courtship

Tags:   Grebes Courtship Bird Ducks Wildlife Wild Water Lake Nature Animal Avian Rutland Canon 7D Mark II

© All Rights Reserved

Surviving almost impossible conditions in the winter these are a 'tough' breed of sea duck

They are also a very beautiful breed of sea duck., but despite their stunning looks there is another that even surpasses this beauty

The King Eider can usually only be found high above the arctic circle where the conditions are even more extreme

Well., it may have to wait until next autumn., but we cant resist a challenge!

Thanks for looking, comments and faves. Much appreciated

Tags:   Eider Duck Sea Nature Wildlife Wild Coast Norway Kvassheim

© All Rights Reserved