It's amazing what surprises one can find when photographing birds in great numbers. One still arrives at a beak, feathers and, in the case of waders, webbed feet, but more is usually added to the mix by simple virtue of the unexpected. Here is one such shot, taken today at Par Sands Lake. A larger image of the lake itself will follow tomorrow especially for Andrea. ^=^ For todays oddity, see if you can spot the Canada Goose with what appears to be, a gulls head! It would seem that it's not just life that is like a box of chocolates, but also taking images of bird crowds! I have to admit a little trepidation on behalf of the woman placing a small child so very close to the swans. Swans are wonderful, but given that food is being offered, and so close to the childs person it has to be cause for concern. They are not the gentlest of feeders even when not hungry and these were more than a little intent on getting to the food first being in competition with many other birds. Not the best situation for so young a tot. Tiny fingers and rough beaks are not the best partners! Having said that, she (the little girl), was giggling for the most part, and oblivious to any danger was enjoying herself immensely. Much of the time during the day, the swans feed and paddle in the sea, a fact which my sister couldn't quite get over when she visited from Texas a couple of years ago. The geese, ducks, moorhens, and coots occasionally fly to Imery's lake, but always return to this lake before sunset. There was talk last year or moving these birds again (they were already moved once when this lake was built), because it's a prime location to drain and build luxury hotels. There was such a furore that the plan has gone by the wayside. Hopefully for good, but as money has a way of speaking loudly in Cornwall, who knows what the future will hold. There is also talk of selling Par Sands itself to private individuals, has happened to Carlyon Bay, (and by the time that wonderful comedy of errors is sorted out, there won't be a beach there!) so once more the locals are in revolt, and rightly so. There is a fabulous lady hereabouts, who, every day without fail, brings bags of food to the lake. I don't think she has ever missed a day, and she is known locally as 'The Swan Lady', a title well deserved. Last years cold spell was quite hard for the inhabitants here, and her care was paramount, although I must say that many locals rallied. I also noticed today that on the far side of the lake was an Egret in the company of 3 or 4 Gillamots. Egrets and Herons are regular visitors to the lake, but I've not seen Gillamots anywhere but in the sea! Thank you for taking the time to look. ^=^