A twitch to Mizen Head

Finally got a chance to go for the two black ducks down near Barleycove on Mizen Head today, and was glad I made the effort! The two were sat on a flooded pool by the side of the road opposite the Barleycove Caravan Park, near Cockles Strand, looking very pleased with themselves!

Even though they were pretty close, I still managed to balls up the following record shots, but note the white underwing and lack of any rings on at least one leg! Fortunately one of the shots is almost in focus! Almost!

Look at the underwing on that!

Unringed (on one leg anyway!)

Couldn't get them both with their heads up at once! 

And then they went to sleep, no doubt still wrecked from their tough Atlantic crossing, so we left them to it!

otters and ducks

Sitting at the breakfast table this am when I noticed a duck flying around. On raising the bins, I could see it was the female long-tailed duck and that there was an otter in the lake nearby, and this was what was flushing her off. A bit later I dragged the scope out onto the magic patio for a proper look, Now there were two ducks and two otters! One of the ducks was the female long-tailed duck but she'd found a friend - a male tufted duck, which just happened to be a year tick (77) - result!

Exhibit A - ducks!

Another chance for me to practice my amazeballs digiscoping techniques - a lot more practice required!!