All looked very quiet and peaceful around the pond late this morning when I visited Epsom Common. New sightings for June included 2 Swallows, 3 House Martins, a pair of high soaring Common Buzzards and a Grey Wagtail. I also spied 3 males plus a female Mandarin Duck hiding on the island but initially no sign of any youngsters.
While hunting for any 'dragons & damsels' around the waters edge I heard the distinctive call of a female Mandarin who was keeping 3 youngsters out of harms way and away from the camera lens.
My regular readers will be pleased to see that the four goslings are alive and kicking......
....and getting bigger as the days go by.
A Roe Deer was keeping its feet cool while the Tufties took an afternoon nap!
Speckled Wood.
I also spent some time at a shallow pool watching various Damselflies and the acrobatic comings and goings of a dozen or so Broad-bodied Chasers which I will share in another post. FAB.
Roe in the water Frank, that is a good one.
ReplyDeleteLove seeing the gosling getting larger, what a lovely too. Cool thing getting the buck deer so close to camera, how did you manage that? Great shares Frank, thank you~
ReplyDeleteWhere does this deer come from!! lol...godd images ;)
ReplyDeleteJust what you need for a lovely outing!
ReplyDeleteNice pic of the Deer, loved the gosling image above it as well.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Angad
Yes, it's sweet to see all four of those goslings. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for more great pictures.
The wildlife at this lake is incredible, you got some nice captures...Thomas
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about waht you wrote about the Mandarin female. Thats the way we usually see the birds, isn´t it?
ReplyDeleteYou must be a lucky guy - great shots, especially the one with a roe deer:)
ReplyDeleteHad a few Mandarins myself today Frank. Would love a Tuftie though!
ReplyDeleteHi Everyone. Thanks for all your appreciative comments.
ReplyDeleteI am way behind on reading your posts but I will get round to everyone as soon as possible. Have a great weekend. FAB.
Cool photos, love the deer in the water.
ReplyDeleteEileen. Just as well I was in the shade otherwise I might have had to dip my toes like the Roe Deer!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely visit to your pond - I am watching a gosling quartet at a tiny pond right here in a NYC park. Amusing to watch them change from adorable little fluffballs to awkward, gawky-looking beasties. Beautiful deer, too.
ReplyDelete