Prepare for take off

I went back to Blackford Pond today for the first time in about three weeks and found that there were still four cygnets, same as my last visit. There was quite a lot of wing-flapping going on, but none of the cygnets looked as if they were actually about to take off. I wonder if they do some practice flights before they leave Blackford Pond, or whether they just go as soon as they are able to fly. I still can't help wondering how they know where to go.

No tufted ducks today, nor herring gulls or little grebes, but lots of black-headed gulls, quite a number of pairs of mallards, two pairs of coots, and several moorhens, but not in obvious pairs.

A beautifully sunny day today - lovely to get some sunshine after several dreich days. The light was very low, coming almost horizontally across the pond as in this photo. The sun had left the pond by 3pm. We will soon be at the shortest day - and then the days will start to get longer again!

Go large to see those feathers better.

PS Wow - I hit the spotlight with this for just the second time ever, and the other time was a blip birthday. This is officially my most popular blip. Thanks everyone - it was a lucky shot!