Mallard

A couple of little egrets have been frequenting the storm drain outside my office window this week. I've lost count of the number of colleagues who've rushed down to tell me they've seen an amazing stork-like or heron-like bird outside the office, only it's ALL WHITE! I tell them, trying not to sound patronising, that 20 years ago I'd have been excited too, but don't usually add that little egrets are now commoner than herons in southern England.

Anyway I took my serious camera in today (as opposed to the ancient model I usually take to work), thereby assuring that the little so-and-sos were nowehere to be seen. Pity, because they are very beautiful.

This female mallard came out better than I expected though.