Friday, February 20, 2009

Skywatch Friday: Gorton Lower Reservoir


Last week I took a walk through Debdale Park on the Eastern fringes of Manchester. Beside the park is Gorton Lower Reservoir which was almost completely frozen over. I took this photograph which includes a whole line of birds on the ice.


I was thinking of zooming in to get a closer view, but noticed there was a large flocks of birds flying in from the East. I moved a few yards to try and view them more clearly through the trees. With no time to frame or focus a shot, I just pointed the lens and clicked. The birds in the photograph number around 40% of the flock in the air.


I don't know what species these birds are, but further along my walk, at a partially unfrozen section of Gorton Upper Reservoir, I found a pair of swans.

For more shots of the sky from around the world, visit Skywatch Friday.

19 comments:

Merisi said...

These were some lucky bird shots! :-)

The skies are grey, just like ours here for weeks on end. This evening we had a lucky break, blue skies and lovely pastel clouds at sunset.

Abe Lincoln said...

These are nice photographs. I like all three of them.

My SkyWatch Post

Guy D said...

Excellent shot, the 2nd one is my favourite, amazing colors.

Have a great weekend!
Guy
Regina In Pictures

Bradley Myers said...

Good sky watch capture, it looks like you had good timing.

RuneE said...

It seems to me to be some kind of gull, but I wouldn't put any money on it.

Your EG Tour Guide said...

You never know if a shot taken hastily will turn out well...but it did! Nice capture of the swans!
My Sky Watch photo is at
East Gwillimbury Wow

Babooshka said...

I'd say a strong possibility they are terns, with those short tubby bodies. Better the shot than faff about with the setting I say.

starnitesky said...

Great shots I really like the middle one with the birds in flight.

kden said...

Now, I want to know how you got that tiny green ball to balance on the tree limb. Just kidding, I'm sure it was in the water but you couldn't have framed it better if you tried. Great shots, love the ones with the birds coming in.

Poutalicious said...

The last shot looks like Seven Springs Wash in Arizona. I love the second shot!

Rottlady of the Ozarks said...

Some very interesting shots, I like the middle one the best too! Happy SWF!

Debbie @Like a Rose said...

Beautiful shots - all of them. I am curious about what the green ball is in the first one?

Rose said...

I was wondering if that was a ball! I like that top photo best...all are nice though.

Poet in Residence said...

We've no birds yet. Well not quite, there's the usual duck or two on the duck pond and the usual plethora of crows, and Iduna saw a green woodpecker but that's about it. On my way back from the library I saw about 200 crows today. They were trying to outrun, I mean outfly, a snowstorm.

luvmyboys said...

I like the first one with the ice-skating birds. Great job!

Barbara Martin said...

Great bird shots, and amazing you were able to get so many in the photo.

NovaS said...

Love to watch the birds on that river...One of a kind sky you have here. you perfectly captured a very nice sky....

SUPERNOVA and SWEETPAIN
ANGELS IN MY LIFE

Lilli & Nevada said...

It looks much better when blown up at first i wasn't sure what it was. Love the photos

Poet in Residence said...

Hi Gerald, Ah luv yer personal foter. First off tho' ah thought it said Ack'orth Barn

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