Trouble At Clydach Lakes

After the endless gloom of yesterday, a welcome return of the sunny weather.

We had to go up to Tonypandy this morning to see the Wedding Photographer and have a look at our photos. They are simply stunning. The hardest party will be whittling them down to the ones we want.

Clive Hughes, our photographer, had put together a disc of about 90 photos set to music. We must have watched it about a dozen times already! Mum and dad are coming for a slap up Sunday dinner cooked by yours truly tonight, so we have plenty of stuff to show them. Dawn's dad sent his photos down this week too, including a rather nice one of me slumped in a chair a 1am! I am sure it will be linked to a future blip! ;o)

As it was so sunny, we decided to do a circuit of the lower Clydach Lake. I was hoping to get some shots of the Dippers I know frequent there. The water level was a bit to high, and fast today. In fact, it was fairly quiet there. The only commotion was these two coots having a protracted ding dong on the lake.

I am quite pleased with this shot, plenty of action in it.

I also managed a few more.

Coot Fight #2 - Rejected it as there was too much colour fringing.

Coot Fight #3

Walking On Water - making a quick getaway.

The garden is dripping with birds today. 19 species on my BTO Garden Bird Count this morning, including a new record high of eight Goldfinches. Expect another garden bird blip tomorrow if it is nice, as I am house bound.

As an aside, shocking news on Gary Speed this afternoon. Tragic waste of life at 41. Only a year older than me. Depression is one of the most misunderstood illnesses in this country. My thoughts go out to his young family.