Reflected rays

Foulshaw Moss, Cumbria.

My original intention was to blip a heron being mobbed by a protective mother mallard on the River Kent. The heron was moving in on the family of 11 tiny ducklings, until the duck literally flew into it. The tactic worked, or maybe it was just me being there, but the heron flew off. Apparently there were 14 ducklings yesterday, so maybe he'd already had a few easy snacks. The family would be difficult to protect because they were buzzing around in the water like clockwork toys, and only the most vigilant and lucky parents could protect them all.

But anyway, the photo was a bit out of focus, so it's Foulshaw after work that features. Matt and I went down to see what was about. Even before I switched the car engine off I could hear a grasshopper warbler reeling monotonously from the purple moor grass near the parking area (115 on the UK bird list for 2011). There were willow warblers singing sweetly from the birches and pines, but otherwise nothing else unexpected or hoped for (always a chance of an osprey or a harrier). Matt unerringly found an adder, though he was a little more cautious than usual with just trainers on his feet.

I've been trying to get a decent photo of this pool for a long time. This evening the shafting light made for some good reflections.