Cruising......

........very quiet at the Groynes today, hoping the wildlife are sitting on nests rather than moving on to other areas as a new bypass is being constructed right on their doorstep, mankind is taking over.......

However the day was calm and warm in the sun, mallards and NZ scaup seemed to be the only ducks about presenting me with some valued time practising with the long lens. Unfortunately they weren't flying or preening, just simply cruising.

I love this shot for many reasons; lots of tiny droplets sitting on top of the feathers and round the eye area twinkling in the sunlight, the yellow beady eye of Mr Scaup watching me and the sunlight capturing his colours. Normally when captured the colours are dark, few people realise these ducks have a combination of black and brown and that little green head is sparkling.

They are our smallest and only true diving ducks, always elegant when diving, just leaving a few small ripples on the surface. They're able to dive as deeply as 2 metres lasting between 15-40 seconds. Calls are usually soft, musical chittering sounds and a series of muted whistles from males.

Mum, walkingS, captured the landscape which was beautiful with the winter trees and wonderful reflections.

The day seemed almost perfect after a good visit to R who was more like his old self today :)

Happy Wednesday everyone :)