Great Crested Grebe and Her Chicks

We drove Lake Constance this morning which is over 60km long and borders Germany, Switzerland and Austria. We spent the majority of our time walking around the lakeside of Lindau Island where we kept seeing Great Crested Grebes on the water. From never seeing any in the wild beofre they are becoming a familar sight. This one had chicks on her back but she turfed them off for a while so she could have a good preen. Practically as soon as she had finished they hopped back on again. I assuming it's the female but may it's the male or they take it in turns! Whilst we were on the island we couldn't help noticing a large number of (peacekeeping)soliders from different European countries and the U.N. At one point we saw they sitting outside a posh restuarant eating ice cream sundaes, not what you expect soldiers to be eating! I'm not sure why they were there maybe I'll Google it later and find out.

This afternoon we drove to Bad Wurzach a Spa town which is twinned with St. Helier in Jersey, as hundreds of Channel Islanders were interned there in the castle during WW2. A family friend was there during that time as a young child, so it seemed right to visit as we were fairly nearby. We timed it perfectly to have a guided tour with another tourist and when we told the guide we were from Jersey he refused payment as he considered us friends of the town. Rik took the shot in extras of me and TheAphid in front of the castle with Tulip Trees on either side of the pathway.

Thanks so much for the stars and hearts for yesterday's Grebe so glad you all liked it too! ☺