My last post was from Inch Wildfowl Reserve in Co Donegal, where I stopped to photograph the Whooper Swans that were wintering in the nearby fields and were the main reason for my visit.  While I was there however, I took a walk along a couple of the paths through the reserve, and there was plenty to see and photograph in the Spring weather.

 

It is normally frowned upon to creep through the woods with a telephoto lens taking photos of lovebirds sharing a tender moment, but I’m pretty sure its ok if the lovebirds are wood pigeons.

 

A goldfinch – one of our most colourful small birds.

 

Another colourful species – the blue tit.

 

Wrens are less colourful, and as shy and fast-moving birds they can be difficult to photograph as you can tell from my blurred attempt!

 

Primroses – one of the first signs of Spring.

 

 

 

Housing provided for some of the residents.

 

Aquatic plants in the sluggish waterway alongside the path.

 

 

 

 

 

A singing chaffinch.

 

Ivy on a fallen tree trunk.

 

Reedmace, commonly known as a bulrush.

 

 

 

I know these are male cones, but I wouldn’t be sure of the species – if I had to pick, I’d say European Larch.

 

Young female cones on the same tree.

 

 

 

 

 

Gorse or “whin bushes”.

 

Colourful fungi on the woodland floor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A fearless robin.

 

This chaffinch seemed saddened by my existence.

 

A last shot looking up through the birches.