Everything is Permuted

More sunshine, and more opportunities to watch the hub of avian activity known as Regent's Park. As a side note the management of the park (along with the other Royal Parks in London) is about to be handed over to the mayor. We can only hope that they don't become political footballs in the future.

But to the birds... I'll start today with the Egyptian (or Nile) geese. These bespectacled birds are among the less numerous in the park, which is generally dominated by the Canada geese and Greylags. They are quite charming though.




The swans were about as well. It seems to be just the mute swans at the moment (the whoopers seemingly having left the park, or moved to another area within it). There are several mutes on the water, with some hulking juveniles as well. This is one of the adults.


The herons are still busy with their nests, and are quite protective of them. I witnessed a small spat between two herons, with the interloper being noisily driven off.




These last three pictures are of the smaller water fowl, but I liked the shots and as it's my blog I'm posting them! First a coot, running on water.


Next a great crested grebe...


And finally, for prettiness, a red-crested pochard. They really are a joy to see.


Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 40D and EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM.

The park was quiet at lunchtime. People avoid the rain. Well most people do. The sensible ones. Not me though. After all, the local wildlife has to endure the conditions and it wasn't so bad as to drive everything under cover. This crow, for one.


The pigeons were few and far between (I suspect they were congregating further along the park, by the waterside where food is easier to come by). Not all of them though. A lone, and splendid, white pigeon was risking a little competition with the local squirrels.


A lone robin looked on, secure in its leafless winter perch.


The squirrels, naturally, went into 'photo-me' (they probably mean 'feed-me', but I don't speak Squirrelese too well) overdrive when they spotted the camera. I was happy enough to photograph them, though I tend to draw a line when they try to clamber up my leg. You have to admire the relentless optimism which assumes (quite wrongly in my case) that every human carries bags of food and is willing to share.


The rats are still there, always there. Scurrying in the undergrowth, and doing their best to avoid drawing attention to themselves.


And a rather damp young fox paid a fleeting visit tonight.


Camera note: all daytime shots taken with the Canon 40D and EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM. Fox photographed with the EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens.

The unseasonally cold weather continues. This far south we've so far missed the worst of it, but the temperature is struggling to get above 0º.

The fountains were freezing...


...and the lakes were transformed into skating rinks (for birds)




The freeze is not (yet) quite complete... tomorrow it may be different.


And of course squirrels were among the more active animals, but then they do have a nice warm coat. They show precious little sign of hibernating though!




I expect to see snow by the morning. London is due for an overnight fall. The Downs may escape... in a few hours I'll have my answer.

Camera note: all shots taken with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45.