Finally Caught Uo - 2

Alexandra Park, Manchester

After yesterday's disaster loosing data I'm back trying for images to replace those lost. It's a great morning with blues sky's a little bit more sun than I really wanted but hey ho. Yesterday the duck was in the rear part of the lake in more shade area the ideal location, wouldn't it be good if I could entice the back back, well yes you just need to bring along a bag of seed.

Laying down spread eagled on the path occasionally having to move for people out enjoying a walk in the spring like weather, with the sun directly behind the AF auto focus, eye-detect of the R5 working perfectly a massive improvement on the 5D4, just frame the subject the cameras AF system dose the rest. 

After an hour on site I've now spent more time in total photographing this duck than I would normally but Alex Park is so compact it makes sentence to take the opportunity when its there, just make sure a visit isn't at weekends. Now with all the images I need its time to head back but I'm sure I'll be back. Thanks again to all those birders that logging and putting out reports on their local areas.

Ring-necked Duck

Finally I've Caught Up - 1

Alexandra Park, Manchester

Ring-neck Duck a north American vagrant that's been picked up visiting local water's around the area over the past couple of weeks, a female not unlike our own brown female Tufted Duck and can easily be identified as such to those not familiar. Suggested as the duck first sighted on Elton reservoir in Bury a couple of weeks ago that stayed only for one day then a week later picked up on a small lake in Alexandra Park Whalley Range near the city centre.

Elton being a reasonably big reservoir getting decent images of the duck sat in the middle of the reservoir is virtually impossible but Alex Park on the other hand being a small park lake the chances are pretty good. I've been Alex Park previously and head straight to the side favourable for light and there in the middle I quickly pick up the duck with it's head tucked under a wing sleeping, it's a waiting game.

One of the benefits, or not, is people like to feed the ducks, but the RND is cautious and stays distant, but once the Tufted Ducks get interested it soon gains confidence allowing some close shots. Happy with my lot I head for home, but thats not the end of the tail as during the evening transferring some files I loose all the images !....shame really as some of the images looked pretty good, looks like a return visit is on the cards.

Ring-necked Duck - female