2 herons in the Thames

On Saturday I had a very disappointing afternoon. I had decided to go for another walk in Battersea Park but, when I got there, I discovered that the park was closed because there was a motor racing event being held there on both Saturday and Sunday. The roads inside the park were being used as a circuit for electric racing cars and it was out-of-bounds for non-paying pedestrians. In fact, the park will be closed until at least Wednesday while all the barriers, video screens, catering tents, etc. are dismantled.

The only section of the park open for the general public was the pedestrian area along the river edge. Barriers had been put up to stop people from going into the rest of the park and large video screens that were showing broadcasts of the race could be just seen from outside. Some people had climbed the steps up onto the Pagoda that is in the centre of the river path and were watching the race for free from there. I did not bother to go up and look as it was very crowded and I was not really interested in seeing electric racing cars.

It was very noisy as the cars went past, but not as noisy as Formula 1, and I felt very sorry for the waterfowl with families that were stuck inside the park, as they would have been unable to fly away unless they left their young behind.

As I was there, I decided to walk along part of the Thames Path and look for wildlife. Right at the edge of the park, there were 2 herons in the river. They were a long way down from the path, but I took some photographs of them anyway - as I had gone out in order to take photographs of birds. I really wanted to see the waterfowl on the lake, but was denied the pleasure.

Perhaps these two herons lived in the park and had temporarily moved out in order to get away from the noise?

I think that both herons were looking for fish, but they did not catch any while I was there. The heron in the photograph below is paddling near the edge of the river.

I was leaning over the wall that runs along the pathway between the park and the river, with the herons at the edge of the River Thames that was way below me.

The second heron was either shorter in height or the water was deeper as it is up to it's tummy in the river.

In the photograph below, you can see how far away the heron is from me. The white flowers (Cow Parsley) are growing on the bank that is just below the bottom of the wall.   

The herons were really the only wildlife I saw on my walk - apart from one seagull and about three cormorants. They were in a dark area, so not worth photographing. There was a short shower while I was walking, but it did not last very long. I got as far as Wandsworth, then decided to get a bus back to Victoria. While on the bus, the heavens opened and it was raining very heavily when the bus reached it's destination. I had to run into a shop doorway and shelter until the rain eased off and I could get to Victoria Underground station.

White geese on the Thames

The Thames path is a great place for a walk and where there is always an abundance of wildlife.

I started my walk in Oxford and, after a while, came across a large group of white geese swimming up and down the river.  When I first saw them they were sitting on a grassy bank that was opposite a pub near Iffley.  The next time I saw them, they were standing around a Lock that was further down the river.

Gaggle of white geese near Iffley Lock on the river Thames

White geese

 Below is a beautiful white goose in posing mode - what a handsome bird I am!

Posing White Goose

I am getting more and more interested in nature and going out with a camera is certainly good exercise.  I just wish I could find more time to put photographs onto my blog.

Goslings enjoying a swim with their Greylag and White Goose parents

At the beginning of May I went on a walk with friends along the Thames path, starting along the river bank in Oxford.  We stopped for refreshments at the Isis Farmhouse in Illfley and, while sitting outside in the sunshine, managed to take some photographs of 7 little goslings with their Greylag and White Goose parents.  The Greylag below looks as though it is telling the White Goose off!

Greylag and White Goose with their 7 Goslings

The goslings were having a great time swimming around and splashing in the water, with the White Goose keeping an eye on them and the Greylag staring into the distance.

Goslings splashing around near White and Greylag Goose parents

There were two families of Geese swimming around in front of a group of mainly White Geese that were standing on the river bank - both had 7 babies each.  The Greylag goslings appear to be a bit larger than the Greylag/White Goose babies.

Two Goose families, both with 7 goslings each, near group of White Geese on the Thames

The Greylag goslings clambered up onto the bank, while the Greylag/White Geese and their goslings were still enjoying a swim.

2 Greylag and White Geese families/goslings in the water

They continued swimming around for a while.

White Goose, Greylag Goose and group of goslings

The White Goose had a good splash around in the water and was flapping it's wings, while the group of Gosling were following - though the one at the back is going the wrong way!

White Goose splashing around in the water with 6 goslings following and 1 going the wrong way

The White Goose enjoyed a great bath with the goslings now right behind, also splashing around in the water.

The White Goose is having a good wash and so are the goslings

Goslings. Greylags and White Geese on the Thames in Oxfordshire

On Sunday I was sitting admiring a large group of White and Greylag Geese on the opposite bank of the river Thames at Iffley, near Oxford.  Amongst them was a delightful family - mum, dad and some sweet fluffy goslings.  Mum and Dad were both enjoying a lovely wash and splash around.

Greylag geese and goslings with group of mixed White and Greylag Geese

One of the parents was searching for food, while the goslings were swimming around and looking incredibly cute.

White geese on the bank and family of Greylag geese and cute goslings in the water

Greylag Goose family in the water and White Geese having a drink

A Greylag Goose having a good wash while partner and goslings try to avoid the antics

Greylag having a splash while the family look on

There were actually two families of geese in the same area and I do not know if the geese in the photograph below are part of same one or not!

Two Greylag Geese - I just am not speaking to you!

The geese went for a swim.  Two Greylag Geese were joined by a White Goose and I am not sure which one the babies belong to.

2 Greylag Geese, 1 White Goose and several Goslings

After swimming around for a while, the goslings clambered up onto the bank while a parent was still in preening mode.

Goslings clambering onto the bank while a parent is still enjoying a wash

It was great to see the geese and babies enjoying a lovely sunny day.

Group of white geese and lone swan on the Thames at Iffley

On Sunday I went for a long walk with some friends along the Thames path from Oxford to Radley.  The sun was shining and we stopped for refreshment at the Isis Farmhouse, Iffley.  As we were sitting outside, on benches near the river, a group of white geese swam to the opposite bank.  They were being followed by a lone swan, who looked none too friendly. 

Group of white geese, plus two other geese and a lone swan

The geese climbed onto the bank and gathered together under the tree branches.

Group of white geese climbing onto Thames bank

White geese under a tree on the Thames

Some of the group looked as though they were thinking of going for another swim.

Group of white geese - some are getting ready to have another swim

The swan lost interest in them and swam off

Mute swam on the Thames at Iffley