KevinFRK

I saw no other Mandarin ducks of either species on my walk, so I'm guessing this cutie was off exploring new pastures.

River Thames, Tilehurst, Reading. Canon R5 + RF200-800

And a close up:

Bit of iridescence, I liked the contrast with the weeds, and a lack of anything better in todays crop of photos...

Prospect Park, Reading, UK

Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800

More posted as I was pleased to see anything the least unusual today at all (too hot even at 9am) rather than them being great shots. Can't expect much shooting from under an old conifer with bright sunlight on the far side (so +1 2/3 exposure modification).

Canon R5MkII + RF200-800

Rather overcast this morning, for all we're told we're about to have a massive heatwave... anyway, always happy to see a Nuthatch in Prospect Park, UK, even if they like the shade. Ring-necked Parakeets are escapes/introductions that have managed to survive and thrive in the wild in parts of the UK - but are seen as destructive & noisy.

Canon R5MkII + RF200-800

European Jay, Prospect Park, Reading, UK

Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800

And I'm not kidding about shooting from the hip. I was sitting on a bench having a coffee break, and this bird hoped onto the branch maybe 3 yards away. Jays are shy birds at the best of times, and there was no way this one would tolerate bringing the camera to the eye that close. So I left it at 200mm, pointed it as best I might with as little movement as possible and snapped blind. So, in the circumstances, even if the twig in front of the Jay was the point of focus, I'm pleased with the result!

The Jay then flew a little further into the trees - so I got in theory a better shot, at full focal length, but alas in the shade:

... have this lot head towards you ... happily passing to my right but way too close - only a couple of yards, if that.

First time I've seen a (presumably) honey bee swarm on the move, and I've no idea what prompted them. The photos on the left are blown up segments of those on the right.

Prospect Park, Reading, UK

Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800 (at 200mm in this case)

First onto a submerged stick and then onto a closer sawn off branch - very kind.

What struck me was the depth of yellow in the plumage - I'd normally expect paler.

Kennet Canal, nr. Reading

Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800

Kennet Canal, nr. Reading UK

Just pleased to catch the sequence at all

Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800, 1/1000s

In a cloudy Reading, UK

Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800

(Technically, it's a crest that they sometimes raise, but since this one was just after berries or buds, it had no obvious reason to)

Having found an event in the park I thought was just yesterday actually covered today as well, I didn't expect to see any birds - instead I saw more than I've seen on several recent visits! This was taken on a dull day in the shade, resulting in an ISO12800 shot at 1/1000s, so I'm particularly pleased it turned out OK.

Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800

The mother had already disappeared behind vegetation by the time my camera was pointing ...

Reading, UK

Canon R6 MkII + RF200-800

Caught almost by accident, and a little over exposed & left that way as it seems to work to me.

Collared doves are far from rare, but make a pleasant change from pigeons everywhere.

Reading, UK. Canon R5MkII + RF200-800

Oh, and the shot I was trying to take: