This morning I made four 5 x 7 prints for Ian from his and Becky’s wedding.
After lunch I made a start on the Christmas cards and Jackie and I drove to New Milton for some Christmas shopping, and continued on into the forest.
The day was dull and dry.
We arrived at a glassy Hatchet Pond when a pink strip above the tree line was a precursor of the impending weak sunset.
Waterfowl in evidence included a pair of swans and their adolescent cygnet
flexing its muscles
in sight of gulls, mallards, and moorhens.
One vociferous gull seemed to be reflecting on this 1962 classic of The Drifters:
The tide was high at Tanners Lane where the Isle of Wight, The Needles, and the lighthouse were silhouetted against the pink precursor.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s flavoursome lamb jalfrezi with tasty savoury rice. The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Malbec.
Moody pictures. Makes a body want to curl up under a duvet with a hot water bottle and a good book.
Many thanks, Susanne
I like how you caught that swan firing up his wings. I’ve heard they can break an arm with the weight of a whack of a wing. I don’t know if it’s true.
I think it is true, Pauline. Many thanks
Crikey!
Apparently not! You got me googling it. Image result for can a swan break your arm
“If you approach a swan nest on the river, they might get aggressive and hiss and flap their wings, but the danger is over-rated and it’s a myth that they will break your leg or arm with their wings.” 17 Apr 2012 (BBC News)
I’m relieved to hear that Derrick, now you can shoot away without fear of mortal danger . Thanks for checking 🙂
🙂
Love that last photograph in particular of dusk over the Needles.
Thanks very much, Roland
Great photos. Birds look stunning in any light.
Thanks very much, Dad
Excellent post, Derrick! That’s one of my favorite songs by The Drifters. Love all of the feathered friends. Cheers!
Thank you very much, Jill
I love that song, too. It goes nicely with your photos that have an evening feel to them.
Thanks very much, JoAnna
Wonderful photos, Derrick! 🙂
The swans are in fine form! and all of the birds are a joy to look at! I have fondness for the gulls! And I love that the gull up on the roof brought that song to your mind! Thank you for sharing it! ‘Tis a heartwarming song to listen to on this cold winter night! 🙂
How is your Mum doing?
HUGS to her, to Jackie, to Elizabeth and to you! 🙂
Many thanks, Carolyn. Unfortunately Mum was taken to hospital again last night with yet another infection.
You’re welcome, Derrick!
Oh no! 🙁 I’m so sorry to hear this! 🙁 I think of her often and pray for her.
(((HUGS)))
She’s back in the care home on antibiotics. Thank you
Great eye as always 🙂 I am also glad to hear someone else is still working on Christmas Cards with it being just 10 days away 🙂
Thanks a lot, msw. I’ve only just begun 🙂
I love the swans.
Thanks very much, Rabirius
Beautiful swan captures! The look very happy!
Thanks very much, Amy
Beautiful images, Derrick. Thank you.
Many thanks, Ann
Beautiful photos, Derrick. I love the soft silver and white of the water and birds. 🙂 Have a lovely weekend.
Thanks very much, Diana. You, too
In the second picture, that gull looks as though it’s cocking its brow at you.
Perhaps it was, Lisa. 🙂 Thanks very much
Is that the Sigma 600 put on expeditious trial?
That one was another Sigma – 105 mm. They really are good lenses. Thanks very much, Uma
I particularly like the close up of the gull on the car with that perfect reflection, even though he looks as if, were you to ask his permission to be photographed, he might just turn down the honour.
🙂 Many thanks, Susan
Nice atmospheric shots, though it looks a bit chilly.
It was a bit cool. Thanks a lot, Quercus
Great photos! And Jackie is indeed a queen of cuisine.
Thanks a lot, Leslie
I enjoyed the fowl play. Happy holidays Derick and family.
Many thanks, Sherry, and to you and yours
I love the vociferous gull—come to think about it, all seagulls are vociferous, don’t you think?
They most certainly are, Diane. Many thanks
Oh, those swans! And what a great song to go with the gull. And the various pictures of roofs. Or rooves, as we might say in Maine.
Thanks very much, Laurie
The gull reflecting on the roof of the car is a good catch, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Lavinia