On Thin Ice

As I approached the lake I saw a red kite being harried by a crow and then lots of pheasants whirred into the air or trotted away from me.

I walked round on the bank and got some good shots of the ducks taking off. When I returned to where the pheasants were a lone bird flew up over the lake and landed on the ice. It was Pheasy Boy. He hadn't launched when the others did, I presume because he's my friend and not scared of me. I think he heard but could not see me when I approached from behind the Leylandii hedge and that's why he took to the air.

I was concerned, the thaw is underway. I walked to where he had landed and tried to encourage him to get off the ice. At one point one of his feet went through. I had visions of him getting into difficulties and drowning. I decided that the best thing would be for me to make myself scarce and hope he would use his bird brain. Fingers crossed he made it to the bank.