Quacking Orders

Sometimes your shot of the day presents itself early. With rain forecast the rest of the day I took advantage of the one predicted dry spot and got out the door early for a ride down to Musselburgh. Felt like a quiet day, but as well as these Goosander ducklings there were really nice views of Reed Buntings; a Whitethroat; and really close views of a Skylark taking to the air.

The Goosanders I'd seen on the way out, at the Esk mouth, but they were a distance away, surfing down the little weir bit and practicing their diving. Coming back I virtually stumbled across them resting on the bank. At sight of me they took to the water and I started worrying for them until I realised that mum was answering the calls from the one on the right, came down to fetch them, escorted them to the bank on the other side, where they all hunkered down again, and she went back to finding them food.

Working out what to do with the day, but looking forward to going out later tonight to meet up with friends Gillian and Jason, who we've not seen for ages, in the Vintage.

A day of bikes, birds, beer and friends. Could be worse really.