February Picture Of The Month

Marine Lake, West Kirby

My usual monthly featured image not to be confused with recent competition posts. This image was taken quite recently back in the spring of last year on the Marine Lake at West Kirby, Wirral on a fantastic sunny day. In fact it was one of the only few sunny days in an otherwise very grey couple of weeks.

The marine lake located where the river Dee enters the sea overlooking Hilbre Island at the right time of the year can sometimes give really close views of sea birds such as sea ducks and divers that normally would be difficult if on the open sea. This visit was to try and get some images of up to seven male and female Greater Scaup that had turned up feeding the marine lake's plentiful supply of crabs.

Parking in the carpark near the yacht club its a long walk along the outer sea wall path to the south side of the lake, the light is superb and with a light breeze creating small waves not so big as to make it difficult picking out the ducks but adding some interest to the image. The Scaup are surprisingly close to the path not at all phased by walkers enjoying the sun giving a rare photo opportunity.

Over next couple of hours in some great great light I manage hundreds of images with this particular image of a resting drake Scaup being one of the stand out images. Notice the duck has an eye open for any potential threat.

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Greater Scaup