Having travelled up to Gloucestershire yesterday for a concert at the Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust this evening I spent the day exploring the centre with my friend Sharon. We’re both keen photographers and we took about 500 photos between us during the day, 300 of which were mine. I found I had a lower success rate than I do on comparable days at the various zoos I’ve visited but I think that’s because the birds move so much more quickly. However, it was a lovely sunny day so it was easy enough to achieve fast shutter speeds and I decided that these pictures were my best of the day. There were lots of cute fluffy chicks around and the birds were only too happy to pose for a few seconds in return for some bird food. We’re planning to come back over the summer with some hired long lenses so hopefully that will give me a chance to improve my bird photography skills. Thanks for a lovely day Sharon – looking forward to doing it again soon!

Helen... You're the boss!! I cannot resist and I add #1 to my favs - It's sooooo cute!! And look at #2 - it seems to have teeth! #5 is an old friend of me! ;) #7 and #8 are perfect and #9 OMG! The reflection is amazing! At first I didn't notice the ducklings under the wing of his mother on #10 - Lovely! Oh dear... This is a super set! ????? · 2009-06-15: 07:57

stunning esp #9 slowpete · 2009-06-15: 08:43

Outstanding!! CKDay · 2009-06-15: 12:10

Fantastic! I love #1 Tats25 · 2009-06-15: 13:58

hooooooooo cute!! #1 goes to my fav miltonjacob · 2009-06-15: 15:08

Nice set of photos :-) I'm posting my selection up now! Sharon · 2009-06-15: 16:40

great shot !# 1 definitely is soooo nice! blackhawk1552 · 2009-06-15: 21:33

Good set - looks like a place I'll have to visit davids · 2009-06-16: 14:09

What a fabulous set - some cute ones and some great close ups. busybee36 · 2009-06-17: 01:41

Very good set, wonderful birds! boszorka65 · 2009-06-18: 06:58

what the hell is number five supposed to be? stormmravenda · 2009-07-24: 18:27

Tagged: slimbridge bird duck swan chick water