WWT Slimbridge: Dramatic Comb Drake

Splashier a start in large
Back blip
Extras:
Steppim stones
Comb duck shaking his opalescent feathers
Purton Ship Graveyard barge

Day 1 of our SW jaunt! Priorities: we headed straight for WWT Slimbridge to see the most beloved emperor geese (which have been absent from WWT Barnes for a while, and were apparently returned to Slimbridge for breeding), and while we found no emperor geese ("off show" - boo), we enjoyed our time there and saw some old favourites (inc. black-necked swans and Orinoco geese) as well as meeting some unfamiliar characters (inc. Chilean and Caribbean flamingos, and these spectacular comb ducks). The female comb ducks are much smaller than the males, and don't have the impressive keeled bill; both have superb iridescent coverts which have a more opalescent quality than most structural colouring that I've seen.
After Slimbridge, we headed to Bristol via the Purton Ship Graveyard where many late 19th Century and early 20th Century barges have been grounded at the edge of the Severn Estuary to prevent erosion of a canal embankment.
We had a little wander around (/up and down) Bristol after dark despite the drizzle.

Holiday album here (Day 1 is right from CLimB UP)