Work in Progress

“And here they are!

“Bringing them into this world wasn’t exactly easy. Remember, we had to start back at the end of winter. Well, that bit at least was fun. My bristling feather display was really something else, wasn’t it?

But then there was all that nest-building. Finding the construction materials was easy but, for heaven’s sake, we can’t carry much in these beaks. Not fit for purpose! So, it was back and forth, back and forth, back and forth! I was shattered.

“And then, well ok, I had an easy bit, I suppose! The laying was all on you. Well done, hen! I did do my bit on the sitting though, didn’t I?  Kept them so warm I thought they’d come out boiled or fried.

“And then they hatched and we thought ‘Great! Wonderful!’ But our work had only just begun. It was feeding time. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth! Shattered again!

“And now they’re leaving the nest – learning to swim – under supervision, of course. They’re only part way through the training course. Plus, there’s what you can eat, what you can’t eat and how to fight off those pesky ducks.

“And these kids still don’t look anything like you… or me?? In fact, I’d almost call them scruffy. Couldn’t call them cute, could you? But then, I suppose they’re really still work in progress.”

Coot on nest with chicks
I’m hungry
Feeding Time
Female Goosander with chicks – one getting a backie
Mute Swan with cygnets

One of those cygnets
Moorhen with chicks who already display a red and yellow beak

Apologies for the rather crazy intro to the photographs!

I’ve been very lucky this year in coming across so many young water birds. All easily photographed and all in local country parks or areas frequently visited by locals. As a result the birds were not disturbed or distressed in any way as they were used to human presence. All photos were taken this year 2023.

This post was prompted by a great challenge – Lens-Artists challenge #261 “Work in Progress” set by Ann-Christine, who has given a varied and excellent interpretation of this prompt – take the time to visit HERE.

21 thoughts on “Work in Progress”

  5. hahaha your intro made me laugh and was so apropos. The photos are a sweet look at the life and tenderness of our feathered friends. I am glad you captured them and shared this as an interpretation of Work in Progress. Loved it.

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  9. Lucky you coming up close without them leaving! Wonderful photographs and I am a bit jealous…Thank you for posting their story as well, it made me smile and nod. You must love them, don’t you? I feel warmth in your words just as in your photos.

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    1. Hi! It was great to see them. Only the swans/cygnets came close – possibly in the hope of being fed. For the others it was the telephoto lens. The coot’s nest was on the other side of the pond. They seem to feel safe as long as there is water between them and the public.

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  11. You say, ‘Apologies for the rather crazy intro to the photographs!’ Don’t apologise, it was great fun and a really novel piece, I enjoyed it a lot 🙂 Excellent photos of all the cute babies too and a lovely response to the theme.

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