Hokay, so where do I build my nest? Somewhere away from predators and prying eyes. Hey, what about here?
Yup, right next to the bridge over the lake in St.James's Park, one of the most visited and photographed places in London.
Still, at least I've got a good view while I sit on my eggs.
9 comments:
Smart bird. The full image is really pretty-would make a beautiful painting.
It's a lovely spot, Robyn. It's just not very private. That coot must be a real exhibitionist and probably London's most photographed bird.
Another bird-on-a-small-island moment: We have killdeer here which tend to lay their eggs in open, public areas. One day walking across a parking lot, I was startled by a killdeer doing her "poor me I've got a broken wing" act, chirping piteously as she ran across the lot. I stopped, looked around and saw the eggs, creamy color with brown spots nested in a gravel covered "island" in the middle of the lot. Ironically, if she'd kept her little trap shut I'd never have known they were there, or to look for them.
Nice bit of real estate - waterfront is definitely prime!
But we have Canada geese who nest in our neighbor's pond every year. They have an islet in the middle of the pond. The snapping turtles manage to eat the goslings.
Life is hard.
Beautiful photos! Is that a ferris wheel in the background?
I hope the offspring make it to adulthood, but it is dicey. At the nature center here, ducks and geese lay eggs each year. But often the babies are snatched by hawks, turtles, or other predators. Last week when we were there, we saw a mother duck with only one duckling.
Ahhh. Natural selection. Gotta love it.
Oh, and Dive, I found a site you'd like! Check out this guy for some awesome works.
Birds are not the greatest thinkers when it comes to strategic planning, Speedway. They do build their nests in some dumb places.
I just wish they'd not build them in the ivy outside my bedroom window. Three-thirty in the morning they start on the dawn chorus and it's so damned LOUD!
Neetzy, as Vic said: "Natural selection. Gotta love it."
Ms.M, that is the London Eye and Whitehall in the background. Behind me is Buckingham Palace.
The Eye (and indeed the coot's nest) is a lot closer than it looks in the photo as I had a pretty wide angle lens on.
Fun, Vic! That guy sure loves clouds and cattle.
I like both your shots--the reflection in the closer one is sweet.
It's pretty tricky taking a bad shot of St.James's Park lake, Petrea.
Post a Comment