Shoveler

A fairly bright start to the day, and a pleasant albeit chilly walk round Ferry Meadows, but not much to see or photograph again. Despite having a new camera I'm struggling to find motivation at the moment - spring seems to be on hold and I seem to have photographed everything locally! And I just don't have time to research or try out new techniques.

Still these two male shoveler were looking very smart in their breeding plumage. The RSPB web-site describes them as follows:

'Shovelers are surface feeding ducks with huge spatulate bills. Males have dark green heads, with white breasts and chestnut flanks. Females are mottled brown. In flight birds show patches of light blue and green on their wings. In the UK they breed in southern and eastern England, especially around the Ouse Washes, the Humber and the North Kent Marshes, and in much smaller numbers in Scotland and western parts of England. In winter, breeding birds move south, and are replaced by an influx of continental birds from further north. The UK is home to more than 20% of the NW European population, making it an Amber List species.'

The only other excitement was a much needed hair-cut, the arrival of a digital projector and discovering that I'd lost half a stone. That's dealt with the Christmas weight, but now the hard work begins, as I try to get drop another half stone!