Smiling for the camera

Today's blip is one of few shots that I took at the artificial island when I stopped there on the way home after my walk with one of the dogs from the sanctuary this afternoon. None of them really stood out but I eventually chose this one of a female Mallard who looked like she was smiling when I took her picture.

One of the Great Crested Grebe parents was floating on the water not far from the nest again but I couldn't see any heads among the feathers on its back this time.

When I'd nearly reached the sanctuary at the park this afternoon I spotted a very young Wood Pigeon sitting in the middle of the road. I parked my bicycle and walked back to the bird which was still sitting in the same spot and it let me grab it quite easily. It had a small wound on the top of its head and offered little resistance when I held in my hands so I carried to the sanctuary where it was put inside a pet carrier. I asked them if they could call the bird rescue centre for me while I walked one of their dogs and by the time we returned the pigeon had already been picked up by someone from the rescue centre.

I had so hoped that last night's rain would have made the temperatures drop somewhat but today was still as hot as before. On top of that it was also quite humid today. To my great disappointment, more of the same has just been forecast for the next few days!

Thank you very much for the lovely comments and stars on my Heron blip from yesterday.