Do you see me laughing?

This poor Pochard (?) was not happy at all. All of the surrounding water was completely frozen and there was no where to swim, or feed. I think wildlife is going to take a BIG hit this year.

Steve
MKIII 70-200 f/2.8 f/7.1 1/200sec ISO200

A corker .

Nice portrait of a pochard, Steve. You are right about the big hit if the rest of the winter goes on like this. I seem to remember that after the 1963 winter kingfishers were down to something like 17 breeding pairs in the whole of the UK. Mind you, that freeze went on for months rather than the few weeks so far. Let's hope this cold spell ends before populations take too big a knock.

David

Just about remember it David, although perhaps we do need this hard few weeks. To clear out all the 'old wood' so to speak, and ensure the fittest?

Steve

Stephen
NIce pic. Perhaps a bit smaller in the frame might have conveyed the cold and ice a bit more . No big deal though.
At my age - not sure about "cleaning out the old wood " bit
Cheers
John

At my age - not sure about "cleaning out the old wood " bit - Point taken JR

It's almost full frame, as having an almost 'white BG' I felt didn't really add anything.

Steve

Hi Steve

Beautiful portrait with great feather detail

Good stuff

Andy

Hi Stephen

Lovely close-up!

David

Really nice feather detail in this Steve, are those ice droplets on the chest feathers?



Calum

great detail and exposure, particularly like the eye.

good shot

I'm going to put my anal birding hat on....... (bright red of course to match my anaorak)

If you watch wild duck flock behaviour closely in moderate freezing conditions they do not sit still when resting in groups but are all slowly cruising about, their movement helps prevent ice forming and keeps the area ice free. But it requires a sizeable flock to churn the water sufficiently if the temperatures drop too low. Large rafts of gulls do precisely the same thing.

Hence on the bigger reservoirs holding gull roosts etc you usually have ice free patches of open water.

swapping my cap to my thermal woolen camo jobby - nice picture! :

Lovely portrait Stephen. Great detail on the bird including the water droplets.

Do you mean the bird or you Steven. I think I could manage at least a smile if I had this one.
Nice one.

Major.

Sad - birdwise, but a really beautiful composition.

Just beautiful Stephan,
Bronia

He looks just like you Stevo

Perhaps the coldest is over now..

Plenty of detail, nice shot of a handsome bird

Beautiful and well composed image, with great detail.

a very striking portrait. Lovely detail and big in the frame is good from time to time.

Matt

Really nice shot of a Pochard. Great detail. Spot on!

Ian

I love shots like this and here is one beauty!

Interesting point made by Mike. My local loch is frozen sufficiently for people to walk across it, yet there is an ice free area about 10m across close the where the birds know they will get fed by passers-by. Many locals believe the council cut the hole in sympathy for the birds! (which are so well fed by the way, some seem too fat to take off)

A beautiful image

I think that's a great shot Stephen. Just how I like them close-up - loads of detail. Couldn't be better imo.
Eric

Cracking shot, sharp with good colour, well done.

That's a super portrait Stephen, great details and pose, wonderful.

Des