Hatching

Everything on the canal bank was so calm, peaceful and still; the nest of coots hatching in the reeds could easily have been overlooked if it wasn't for a very faint call of a chick who had done the escape route down the reed-slide outside and was wanting attention.

If you look closely you can see the pipping of the egg closest and the other behind it had pipped too. Dad was bringing back the tiniest morsels for the demanding baby, Mum had got off the nest to see to another who had slid down the other side whilst I was trying to dodge the reeds to get a clear shot.

If one survives it will be lucky because of the pike in there who just pick them off. Tilly and Poppy sat close just watching. Poppy particularly has sat close  as if on elastic since we got back, to the extent she managed to get out of the downstairs office from her basket  and demanded to get on our bed last night! Hey-ho! Poppy with the 'look' is my Extra today and it's weird but they say dogs look like their owners and yes, I would say I have this look - what ever it is - occasionally!