Think Fluffy Bunnies

Think Fluffy Bunnies

God it's been cold recently hasn't it? Me and cold don't really mix that well, I find the cold too... how do I say this? ... chilly. The problem is me and warm do mix quite well, and I often find I'm late for one thing or another because I've spent over 2 hours in a steaming hot shower, no doubt draining the local reservoir and malnourishing a Dunlin or something.

I'm pretty sure you're flowing along my lines when I say a cold winters day spent with a good cup of tea in the lounge, in front of the T.V. *insert favoured program here* (preferably not Misfits or The Inbetweeners, I mean everyone talks about them but they are generally, and pardon my language, bad) with the central heating turned up, is pretty damn ideal.

In fact one of the only times when I do like the cold is when its snowing, and so with the recent forecasts pledging a frosting of the white stuff in every garden, I've been ready with camera in hand. Alas, there has been no snow, but with the sun out, I braved the cold and headed down to Bushy Park during one of those independent study periods at college. What do mean I should have be studying? Well... I'm... habitats, environment, stuff like that, you know the one... biology.

There were birds on the lake, but they were pretty boring. Just the odd Shoveler and Wigeon, and a Stonechat in the distance somewhere.

Here, have a Wigeon...

And a Mallard...

And a Tufted Duck with some late autumnal colours thrown in...

Here's a Stonechat...

And here's an un-focused Shoveler touching down...

Just in case you were wondering what a seagull looked like up close, wonder no more... this is field guide material right here...

I've just re-filled the bird feeders ready for the winter, so might try and dig out that brown sheet thing that acts like a hide and watch as the birds flee the garden and bugger off somewhere else. One thing that doesn't seem to want to bugger off at the moment is that damn Grey Squirrel.

I must say I quite liked the local Squirrels, and their daily antics during the summer. They weren't doing any visible harm and I'd happily wave at one as it passed gracefully through the trees. However, since putting feed out again, I've realised just how bloody annoying they are- casually hanging from a branch whilst stealing sunflower seeds like the little rat is genuinely trying to mock me- and now the sight of a squirrel as I open the blinds in the morning will put me in a bad mood for the rest of the day.

... "Think fluffy bunnies, Bill. Happy, fluffy bunnies."

I think I need to see a squirrel psychiatrist.