Let me know when that tide's coming in won't you

Let me know when that tide's coming in won't you

Saturday, 16 March 2019

Scaup and Goosander - Elton Reservoir

A couple of weeks ago, I popped along to Elton reservoir in Bury. It was a lovely warm day, which made a change from the previous cold and damp weeks. I was even able to leave the jacket in the car and just walk around with my t-shirt.
There had been 7 Scaup on the reservoir for some weeks, and this is usually around the time of year that I manage to tick them off. So they were one of my target birds. It's not a small area of water but I had an idea as to where they would be. Right at the opposite end to where I was!
I took my time and made sure I had a good look at what else was on the reservoir. This proved to be the wrong tactic. I had picked them up in the binoculars. They were quite distant at first, but looked settled. Shortly afterwards, a group of Tufted ducks took flight and headed off the reservoir. These were followed by some Gadwall and Canada Geese, and before I had even got close to them the seven Scaup took flight too. Noooooo!!
I had to get the camera up quick in case this was the only opportunity I'd get to see them today. It was exactly that :(



They were swiftly followed by some Goosander. 4 Females here.

Two males at the back here.

26 comments:

  1. Hello Adam, you got me at your title! I had to look up both these birds which I have never heard of before now. That's why I love blogger. Thanks for sharing these incredible images. Have a great day. Jo

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  2. ...beautiful in flight! Enjoy your day.

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  3. Great flight captures! Thanks for linking up and sharing your post today. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend.

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  4. What great captures of the birds in flight, such beauty.
    Enjoy the day and weekend.

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  5. Sometimes you have to take what you can get.

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  6. Absolutely beautiful Adam! I know what a challenge getting photos of birds flying can be...yours are picture post card perfect.

    Thanks for visiting & taking time to leave a comment.

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    1. Thank you for sharing this with us birders at I'd Rather B Birdin' this weekend!

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  7. Great pictures of birds in flight! Aren't they magical to watch?

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  8. What great photos of these birds during the flight.
    Perfectly photographed, my compliments.
    Best regards, Irma

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  9. Nice work Adam. I don't think I would try for those shots- the duck too fast my lens too slow.

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  10. wow!! epic flight shots, they are so beautiful. i am not good at capturing anything in flight!!!

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  11. They are beautiful! I am so slow, I miss shots all the time! Well done.
    (ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!

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  12. Those birds are so elegant - great captures.

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  13. I'm glad you were quick enough to get them in flight! Beautiful birds and the light was just right for good photos! Enjoy your week!

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  14. You managed to capture some great shots of the birds in flight! They are beautiful.

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  15. Always magnificent nature photography here!

    Happy Moments to You,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  16. nice captures with beautiful light. It is a great thing to watch the birds coming back :)

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  17. Adam - if only Nature played along with us more often - just think of the shots we would get then! Well done to persevere! Thanks for visiting my blog this week!

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  18. Excellent shots! Scaup and Goosander could be the name of a band!

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  19. How lovely they are as they glide through the sky!

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  20. That all might have happened to me ..except for the part where you were actually fast enough with the camera to get those wonderful flight shots! Wonderful birds and although envious I’m actually grateful that you captured them and thanks for sharing!

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