Life and Death on the Lily Pads

It’s a Bodnant Blipmeet with fellow blipper Marpaul and the lovely Misty this morning. Last time, back in the autumn, we shared a walk along the Watkin Path, but today  the safest option is to meet over coffee, allowing us a leisurely chat regardless of energy levels - and, of course, it’s lovely. 

But now I’m here, I can’t resist a short walk into the gardens, and leaving G to his more energetic circuit, I sit myself down near the lily pond on the middle terrace - the furthest point that I can reasonably manage. Bodnant is absolutely glorious today - and inevitably busy. But despite the crowds,  it’s amazing how easy it is to cut out all the chatter and just focus on the beauty of the place. 

Life on the lily ponds is fascinating to watch. Bubbles show life goes on beneath the murky waters, while water boatmen busy themselves along the surface. The lilies are just glorious, floating gardens of pink and white where ovipositing empresses find - hopefully -  safe places for their progeny, while damsels still engage in finding mates. 

Suddenly, there’s a newcomer - a grey wagtail. His slender frame almost confirms the illusion that he is actually walking in water as he delicately steps along the lily pads. Then suddenly, he spies a snack and pounces, lunching on what was once a beautiful damsel. The harsh realities of life in a lily pads. (A couple more in extras which I prefer as photos, but they lack the drama!) 

Edit: blipper Kwchas correctly identifies this as a grey rather than a yellow wagtail - I’ve no why I original wrote down the wrong bird after actually checking the identification! Anyway - apologies and changes made! 

Thanks so much for your lovely response to yesterday’s robin - can’t believe this is the third bird I’ve posted in a row!