A close encouter of the wildlife kind.
Went looking for a couple of Orchids the other day, but they had gone over probably because of he weather.
So i dropped down to the lake for a looksee. I found a spot on the edge that was clear of reeds and scanned the distant birds.
The Common terns had long gone, and there was a lack of Dragonflies and Butterflys.
Eventually a female Mute swan joined me on the clear area and started preening, later joined by a her 5 cygnets and the male, and for the next hour sat within touching distance all tending the waterproofing of their feathers.
I love the shapes they make when preening here is the Cob.
The youngsters spent a lot of time playing.
Next i was joined by 5 Juvenile Coots.
And soon a creche of Mallard ducklings added to the small group, their trust was heartwarming.
Small copper.