Sometimes, the need to get out with the camera surpasses the availability of exciting subjects ands so it transpired. I was not in the mood for driving a distance so made do with a short trip up the A10 to Welney, just over half-an-hours drive for me. Weather sunny but increasing cloud at times.

The bird life from the observatory was lively - lots of swans, geese and ducks but nothing out of the ordinary so it was a case of trying to get something different or better than I already had to improve my portfolio.

Canada Geese were flying in and out.

and Mallards in bright breeding plumage were everywhere.

The last time I was here, there was just the odd Pochard but winter visitors had greatly increased the population with several striking males

a lone female

that even gave a cheeky backwards glance for the camera.

But, as always, the stars of the show at this time of year are the Whooper Swans, recently arrived from Iceland and Greenland. Somehow, I never tire of photographing them. A resplendant wing flap in the sunshine

A spat between two (presumably) males

and finally a really close headshot.

Once again, nothing to really excite the senses but enjoyable for me, never-the-less.