This grebe, in winter plumage, was interesting in that it dived not long after we took the picture and though we waited and waited we did not see it surface.
There were plenty of Eurasian Coots
and Mallards.
This spectacular Cormorant flypast
but not so spectacular landing
This pair of Ruddy Darters making love in the afternoon
but not this pair of Homo Sapiens...
and finally the Lac du Verdon Monster... If you click and enlarge the picture you can just see its eye.
Well that's what we thought but from a different angle its just a stick... Never mind better luck next time.
5 comments:
Coot or Eurasian Coot [Fulica atra] please...
Not American Coot [F. americana] which do not have the white forehead... a white bill only!! They have only visited Europe [twice in 180 years] and both of those made landfall [literally... they were shot] in Eire.
You've been using the interUSAnet for identification...
For ident. links go to the Links page on Aigronne Wildlife [link at the top of page]... Birdguides or BTO [British Trust for Ornithology] are the best for Birds.... or flickr group "The European Nature and Wildlife Group"
The Grebe is Great-crested Grebe [Podiceps cristatus]....
The Darters are too small to identify.
Grotty day wasn't it? I've been cooking... Steak and Kidney Suet Crust pie... now Pauline's doing Red Cabbage and Apple... I'll find some spuds in about 20 mins.
Thanks Tim. Now corrected. Yum Yum.
It was.... bulk cooking... so enough pie for tomorrow [or Tooosday... perhaps Wed] and a portion of filling [same pie quantity] for the freezer... so just thaw and top with a suet crust... next time the weather calls for warming comfort food!
I think the darters must be Commons. The patterning on the male's thorax and the apparently black and yellow striped legs suggest Commons. And this late in the season they are the most likely of the red maled species I would have thought.
Delightful pictures! I was completely taken in by your monster!:-)
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