Monday 23 January 2012

Seasonal Splash (4): Winter Colour ...

We took a stroll around Mistley Towers, part of a ruined Robert Adam church near Manningtree, UK . . .
. . . There were a lot of Mute Swans on the estuary foreshore.
Some were more interested in posing for the camera than others!
A portrait in profile.
These Shelducks were heading for home . . .
I think these are Bar-tailed Godwits  . . .

. . . and a Common Sandpiper, in late afternoon light.
We spotted a pair of these Greylag geese at the nearby Alton Water Park.
 January: 2012 bird species seen to date  . . .
  1. Pigeon (USA)
  2. Starling (Liberty Island, NY, USA)
  3. Egret (wetlands outside New York, USA . . . hard to tell which species, Great or Little)
  4. ?Red-tailed Hawk (NY, USA)
  5. Sparrow (Liberty Island, NY, USA)
  6. Mute Swan (Mistley, Essex, UK)
  7. Shelduck (ditto)
  8. Bar-tailed Godwit (ditto)
  9. Common Sandpiper (ditto)
  10. Carrion Crow (ditto)
  11. Assorted - but unidentified - gulls (ditto and rivers Hudson and Delaware, USA)

6 comments:

L. D. said...

I really enjoyed seeing your photos. The swans are amazing to see so close up. Great shots.

Glo said...

Wonderful to see! We have Trumpeter Swans here at the moment, so it's interesting to look at the similarities and differences. I enjoy seeing other areas and what nature holds, so thanks :)

Caroline Gill said...

Tried to respond to your wonderful sea lion video, Glo, but your blog or my computer failed to let me in to the comments box! Anyway, thank you for visiting me here . . . and I just loved that heart-shaped nose!

Crafty Green Poet said...

what a beautiful church and such lovely birds!

Thanks for your comment on my blog, I've just been very lucky with goldcrests recently, seem to be a lot around in Edinburgh woodlands at the moment!

Mary said...

Wonderful photos! That second swan photo looks like a painting :-) How happy to hear that you visited our country, but I so wish you could have seen more birds than ones you see at home. Next time come to Indiana, and I can guarantee you will see some cardinals!

eileeninmd said...

Awesome shots of the Mute Swans. I hope you enjoyed your visit to the US. I see a lot of Cardinals in my yard right now. My pair usually best in my yard will constantly chase away any other cardinals that come near. They are funny to watch. Great post and photos.