Sunday 5 April 2009

Somerset Levels part 1

The other day I took a drive over to the Somerset Levels for a mornings birding. This is the view from one of the hides at a place called Catcott Lows. It is a specially good place in winter for wildfowl and during migration for waders (shorebirds). On this day in late March there were still plenty of ducks around. This pair of Eurasian Wigeon were reasonably close for me to take a photo. A male Northern Shoveler was also showing off his smart spring plumage.Any guesses as this this dabbling duck? (-:I guess that pin of a tail was a good giveaway. This male Northern Pintail was further out and required quite a bit of cropping.On the way to my next stop on the Levels this male Kestrel was intent enough on his next meal to allow me a couple of shots.
Tomorrow I'll finish off this trip into west Somerset.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lovely bright photos Jen. The Male Kestrel is really good.

Shelley said...

Beautiful series of photos! Loved that kestrel!

Eve said...

Wonderful photos Jenny! I love all the ducks but that Shoveler is so cool!! Waiting for the next post. So glad you were able to get out there.

Mary said...

Good shots! I wish we had hides to go and photograph from. The Pintail is rather obvious in any position! That kestrel is neat! Different from the ones that I see with 2 stripes on the face. And your photo of it is so good.

Chris said...

HI,
Lovely pictures and sun!! I have to say that the sun is not here yet like spring. So it is coll to have a bit of sun from your blog, together with gorgeous pictures of ducks. I love the pintail one as well as the one with filtering the water :-)

Quiet Paths said...

That Kestrel is a handsome bird! Lovely shots, Jenny. It amazes me how bright the males get (your ducks) when spring time arrives. Did you get some good walking in as well?