Occasional Images | photoblog » Springtime in the Mere....

04 Apr 2008 • 171 views

Springtime in the Mere....

...and the Moorhens are fighting again. walking around Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust there was a terrible commotion behind me, I turned to see two Moorhens going at it hammer and tongs. Though they appear placid, strolling around the banks of the mere looking for food, fighting is common and often prolonged, with each bird striking the other violently with the feet and even attempting to push or drag them underwater.

This was the best image of the group I managed to take. Not one of my best but it makes a change from trains.

camera	Canon EOS 350D DIGITAL
exposure mode	shutter priority
shutterspeed	1/320s
aperture	f/6.3
sensitivity	ISO200
focal length	300.0mm
resolution	1000x700 pixels

Springtime in the Mere....

comments (8)

Ginnie

Atlanta, GA, United States

4 Apr 2008, 00:59

I think you and Aussie got together for your posts today, Les. This must be the time of year to fight for our territory?! WOW. What a capture.

Les Auld: Synchronicity Ginnie, thanks for the comment.

Roz Sears

Great Britain (UK)

4 Apr 2008, 07:17

Having spent an hour watching the behaviour at our local duck pond, I can believe what you are saying. It`s like an `18` movie - sex, violence, and if we could understand `duck`, no doubt copious amounts of swearing. lol! Excellent action shot, btw. (:o)

Les Auld: Certainly a vociferous pair Roz, thanks for the comment

vintage

australia

4 Apr 2008, 13:52

Great action shot well done Les

Les Auld: Thanks for the comment, appreciate it.

Alan

Southampton

4 Apr 2008, 16:32

LOL.. yes that time of year again, Brian.. "keep away from my patch"!!

Les Auld: Most definitely Alan, thanks for the comment

anniedog

Great Britain (UK)

4 Apr 2008, 17:05

I have never seen such behaviour in moorhens. We have a family living on our pond who seem to get along very well and each year produce a fine brood of chicks (though of course I have no way of knowing if they are the same pair!) Good motion capture.
Ingrid

Les Auld: Thanks Ingrid, first time I have seen it as well.

Bill Phillips

Droitwich

4 Apr 2008, 20:49

I suppose the natural history purists would complain that both birds are not perfectly sharp, but I would be delighted to have taken a shot like this!

Les Auld: Thanks Bill, I suppose purism has it's place somewhere, just not sure where.

brianaw

5 Apr 2008, 20:13

Good action Les and just part of everyday life for the Moorhens.

Les Auld: Thanks Brian.

Dave Wilkins

United States

6 Apr 2008, 13:29

Love it. The Grand Canal in Dublin runs right by my office and it has a large moorhen population that always seem to be up to mischief.

Les Auld: They always seemed so placid striding around looking for food, this was the first time I had seen them fighting. Thanks for the comment.

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