Life and death on the river

Great crested grebes just after mating

We've been away on The Isles of Scilly and when we returned it was to the joy of finding a pair of grebes frequenting our floating platform. We've never had grebes haul out before and to watch them courting and mating is quite a privilege. I've never seen a grebe out of water except when it's on a nest so it's fascinating to watch them at such close quarters. These two had just finished mating and the male slithered down her back into the river.

The male's second attempt at mating

The courtship is amazing, lots of head flicking - they mirror each other's movements. I haven't seen these two perform the dance they do after the male proffers his mate some muddy leaves or a feather, but presumably that happens when they're nest building and we're not sure where their nest is . We think it's upstream from us.

A sign of affection?

After mating the male grebe left his foot draped around his partner's neck. It almost looks like a human gesture but I'm putting my own interpretation on the gesture!

What a fine crest

It's easy to see how Great Crested Grebes' feathers were sort after to adorn ladies' hats last century. So many grebes were killed for their crests that they were put on the endangered species list in the UK. Fortunately, they have now made a come-back and we have a healthy population in our area.

One of four surviving cygnets

Our resident swans' young family

A sleepy cygnet

The kids with their dad

While we were away the swans hatched 9 or 10 cygnets but there were only four survivors by the time we returned. They are so lovely and are growing all too quickly. At least they are less likely to be taken by the herring gulls or the crows as they get bigger.

Sadly, our resident duck "Golden Eye" lost all seven ducklings within two days of hatching them. We watched some of them hatch on the day before we left for the Scilly Isles, and had to keep rescuing a recalcitrant one that kept leaving the nest. Twice it fell to the lower deck and I had to carry it back to its nest on the garden deck upstairs. "Golden Eye" wasn't amused and huffed and puffed at me. In the end we put a brick in front of the nest box opening so that the ducklings couldn't escape until mum was ready for them all. The next morning she tried a dozen or so times to get them out of the nest but only a couple would follow her. When most of them were out and had flopped to the lower deck and launched themselves into the river we gave the others a helping hand so that all seven joined their mum in the water. Apparently only two were seen the following day, one of which was grabbed by a crow. The remaining one may well have met the same fate.

"Golden Eye" is now sitting on eggs again but a magpie grabbed one while she was off the nest yesterday and we're now having to keep an eye on things. It's amazing that it dares to enter the nest box and raid the eggs. We've placed a decoy duck on top of the nesting box and hope that it will deter the magpie.

Wildlife from home and away

Pelican with fish

After a long bout of bronchitis it was wonderful to escape the English winter and experience some Florida sunshine and exotic wildlife. Ironically, it was so cold for the first two days that we had to buy fleeces and wear our windproof jackets! After that the weather settled and we enjoyed exploring Nature Trails, strolling along shorelines, listening to the sounds of the ocean and, on our last night, watching the launch of the space shuttle challenger.

A great white heron with lunch

It's amazing to watch, first the stalking and then the successful lunge. This heron took its time over swallowing the fish, carefully positioning it before letting it slide down its throat.

A yellow crowned night heron

During our holiday we visited The Ding Darling wildlife sanctuary on beautiful Sanibel Island.
Sadly, there seems far less birdlife here than there was five years ago. The same was true of The Everglades. We gather it's partly because of the habitat damage done by hurricanes Wilma and Katrina, but also because of the lack of fresh water. With so many people moving to Florida each week that can only get worse I should imagine.

A red -shouldered hawk hunting

We had the pleasure of watching this magnificent hawk hunt for insects, lizards and snakes right in front of us for half an hour. It would fly from a nearby tree and land in the grass near our feet before heading back to a tree. It didn't seem the least bothered by our presence.

An osprey heading back to its nest

We came across an osprey nest in the autumn and hoped to be able to photograph its young on the nest but we were just two days too late. However, there was another nest nearby, though far less easy to photograph, so we had to content ourselves with watching the birds in flight.

A cormorant with an impressive catch

It was a rather grey day when we spotted this cormorant so the colours lack vibrance but its performance with this fish made up for that. It took ages to 'prepare' the fish prior to swallowing it but we gather it has to do this because of the spines on the fish.

A great egret dealing with an itch

These egrets look so lovely with their breeding plumage. This one was fishing only a few feet away from some large alligators. I was told that one of the alligators had managed to take a great blue heron the day before but the egret seemed indifferent unless a gator got really close.

An anhinga in breeding plumage

When we visited The Everglades in 2003 we saw so many of these fabulous 'snake' birds but there were considerably fewer this year and, apparently, none nesting along The Anhinga Trail a couple of years ago. They are given the nick name 'snake bird' because their long necks look like snakes underwater.

An osprey hoping to spot a fish

An alligator having a yawn

I watched this gator for at least half an hour and at one point when it yawned I could see right down its throat.

A great blue heron having a cautious scratch

The heron never took its eyes off a gator that was gradually moving closer and closer to where the bird was perched. When it got too near the heron squawked and flew to a higher branch.

A yawning anhinga

A brown pelican in flight

A great egret with its catch

I spotted the egret on a beach below as I was walking along a pier. I saw that it was about to 'strike' and was fascinated to watch how it dealt with its catch. Sometimes it would drop it by the water's edge but then pick it up again and re-position it. It took nearly five minutes before finally swallowing the fish.

The island garden after a snow fall in april

We've been having some very odd weather in the last couple of weeks, one day warm and the next few chilly. Today we had snow which looked lovely but didn't last.

Our resident mallard heading back to her nest

Every year 'Goldeneye" nests on our top deck and she now gives us a hard time if we don't get her nest box out in time. This year we asked a friend to build some proper nesting boxes but she wasn't prepared to wait for them to arrive so we had to dig out her old plastic box. We didn't have any straw or hay to put in it so she kept stomping up to the French windows and looking in at us with a resentful expression. In the end, I went to the local stables and cadged some old straw but she wasn't keen on the smell of manure. Nor did she like the shredded paper that Dave tried out on her! I gave in and made a special trip to the shops to get her some meadow hay. As soon as I'd removed the old straw and replaced it with the new she went straight in and starting shaping her nest. The ducklings are due to hatch on or around April 20th we hope, though we have reason to think that she or her mate might be infertile.

A view from the island bridge in late March

A male tufted duck in the early morning sunshine

Mandarin ducks heading for my feeding station

We don't know where these two are nesting but they fly in regularly for breakfast, lunch and supper. Several other male mandarin ducks also turn up and try to impress the female with their magnificent displays, to no avail!

Misty mornings, great sunsets and swan fights

February sunset

The weather has been gorgeous for some time and we've had some wonderful sunrises as well as sunsets. Ironically, I've been laid low with bronchitis and haven't been able to get out with the camera during this time. The view from the bridge onto the island would have been spectacular had I been able to get out.

Territorial battles are hotting up for the Spring

The dominant pair of mute swans patrol this stretch of the river regularly and drive off any other swans foolish enough to stray into their territory, especially the younger ones. Bidou, the black swan, is allowed to keep them company and she sometimes drives off other mute swans too. Another black swan appears from time to time but Bidou prefers the company of her mute mates and consistently drives it away.

An early morning stretch in the mist

It's beautiful to watch the swans preening and then stretching and flapping their wings. Sometimes they do it in unison. I've been wanting to get a particular image for years now but I'm sure the swans know this and wait till I don't have the camera to hand before they oblige! One day I'll get the image I want but it's obviously going to take patience.

Thunder thighs in the pond

This is our 'pet' coot, if coots can ever be said to be 'pets'. It has lost its mate and is probably quite old now, and certainly not tolerated by the local dominant pair. It seems to be somewhat arthritic, but manages to thunder along the deck to greet us when we're dispensing wheat for the swans and ducks. Hence the nickname "Thunder Thighs".

Our dominant mute swans on the warpath

When you see the swans with their wings raised like this they are displaying. When they're courting they flare their wings at each other and they do likewise when they warn others off their territory. Swans weigh surprisingly little for their size but you'd never guess it when you see the way they power their way through the water with tremendous force when they're on the attack.

Double click on any of the images to enlarge them.

Winter Continues

Reflections in a pond on an icy day

We managed to get out for a refreshing walk one chilly morning and I loved the reflections in the pond. There were little chunks of ice floating around, too.

A view from the bridge in Bushy Park of the Longford River and woodland garden

This is my favourite of the two woodland gardens. I've noticed that dozens of coots and moorhens congregate on the grass in winter. For most of the year they're not at all gregarious but, come the Spring, there are massive territorial battles, some very vicious.

Heron looking into the lagoon for supper

I spotted this heron approaching the roof of one of the houseboats. It hung around for a while on the roof before swooping down to the lower branches of a willow tree in the lagoon, one of its favourite fishing spots.

More reflections

Sunrise on a chilly morning

It was wonderful to watch the sun rising in this darkened sky on a misty late January morning. I love the atmospheric effect the winter light has at sunrise at this time of year.

Too much to do and too little time to do it in

The weather hasn't been great over the last few weeks and when there is sunshine it isn't always possible to get out with the camera. This was a brief exception when I managed to get out for an hour.

A moment's pause to watch another fox

This is definitely the dominant fox of the two and is also more friendly and approachable. The other one slinks off when humans approach but is also a fine specimen.

On a mission

There was no mistaking the purposeful gait of the fox today. Perhaps it had its eyes on the Egyptian geese or ducks close by on the pond?

A lot can happen in two weeks

Black swan in early morning mist

It's been a difficult two weeks with my husband falling seriously ill so I haven't been out and about enjoying Nature. Fortunately, he's gradually on the mend and we're both taking the time to get to the local park or out in the boat, weather permitting. The last week has been very cold here but at least there have been some bright and sunny days. This was an early morning shot as Bidou, the black swan, went about her daily business following breakfast "Chez Nous". If we're not there to feed her she soon lets us know!

A local fox pulling faces for the camera

What a fine specimen . . . and it knows it!

This friendly fox shows great interest in my husband and I as we wander through the local park. It's quite happy to come quite close but is still wary if you try to get too close.

Rowers passing Taggs Island on the Hampton side

A winter scene from Taggs Island bridge looking towards Hampton Church and the village of Hampton. On a cold winter's afternoon the river still looks attractive in the late afternoon sunlight.

Another misty morning downstream from us

We're fortunate enough to have this view from our dining and living room and Dave's upstairs office. If you like water and wildlife it really is paradise and we love the early morning light.

Hucks boatyard with it's beautiful Swiss Chalet lit by late afternoon sunlight

This lovely building is on the A 308 opposite the island and the boatyard is going through regeneration as The Thames is attracting more interest from many quarters.

If you wish to enlarge any of the images double click on them

You can tell it's winter!

Gulls mobbing the ducks to get at the food

Newcomers to the island take delight in feeding the birds in the early morning light. As soon as the first crust is thrown the gulls appear from nowhere and raise a clamour with their shrill calls. It's definitely a case of "First come first served" where these aerial acrobats are concerned.

Why do rowers always look less aggressive in the early morning light?

The mornings have been crisp and colourful recently and the rowers are out most mornings regardless of the weather.

Another day, another bunch of rowers

The river seems so peaceful at first light and it seems such a pity that the rowers have to invade that sense of Nature at one with itself. If the rowers showed any respect for the wildlife, and took care not to strike the wildfowl that "happen to be in their way" I wouldn't mind. Instead they ignore the fact that they, as humans, are the ones out of place, not the swans, ducks and other waterfowl.

An attractive hybrid duck

Silver duck, as we call her, has been around for several years now and has bred successfully with a mallard drake. One of her offspring is so like her that it is difficult to tell them apart.

Male Mandarin duck

Now that it can be quite cold in the mornings and evenings some of the Mandarin ducks have started to drop by for breakfast and dinner. After they went into moult in the autumn they stopped coming to the garden and are probably basing themselves in Bushy Park. On chilly days, however, they fly in, feast on the wheat and then head back to the park.

Bidou in the flooded bog garden

The river levels have been pretty good this winter up till now. After heavy rains, however, the water has to go somewhere and the lock keepers are allowing excess water downstream. Our bog garden was under water this morning and Bidou and the ducks enjoyed rummaging through my plants!

Sunlight streaming through the garden fence in the early morning light