April 03 2006 - Thorpe Lea
We like to fish a variety of waters, especially in the spring, to get back in the swing. Since we haven't fished Thorpe Lea since last summer, it was time to try our hand again. We've had mixed results here in the past, but always managed to come away happy. It's a beautiful lake, anyway, and well worth the visit.
A Perfect Spring Day at Thorpe Lee
It was busy, I guess other anglers were feeling the lure of a day out by the lake, so we had to settle for a peg that would not normally be a choice for us. The far side, opposite the car park is more to our liking. But hey, you can't always have it your way, right?
Since we were ledgering, Steve set up and put the lines out while I watched as I am garbage at casting of this sort. Better to let Steve handle it than waste time getting hooks, lines and weights out of the trees and undergrowth on the small island opposite us.
Three Down, One to Go
Then it was settle down and wait. It's not called fishing for nothing. Catching is another matter, sometimes.
There is plenty of wildlife at Thorpe Lea and many kinds of waterfowl, so I always have something to do. Today we were plagued by Swans. There was one pair and a single cob. Obviously this was not a situation that the bonded pair could tolerate. The cob from the pair would chase the lone male, from our left, around the island, and as they came around from the right side the lone cob would finally take flight. The other one would glide back to his mate, puffed up and pleased with himself. This went on pretty much all day, about every half hour or so.
Here They Come Again
A Remnant of the Confrontation
I mentioned not long ago that Moorhens are feisty little birds, they will get into it at the drop of a hat. I think I also mentioned that a fight will draw every Moorhen in the vacinity, creating a free for all in which everyone joins in. Coots seem to take it for granted that everyone is welcome, like a good pub brawl. That's exactly what happened this day, right in front of me. Darn but this is where I wish I had a really good camera; the photos I got are not the best but they will have to do.
Two Moorhens Thrash It Out As A Coot Preprares To Enter The Fray
The Moorhens find their dispute broken up by the Coot who has ideas of his own, dunking one Moorhen and grabbing another. A second Coot watches.
The Coot Attacks
As the Coot engages one of the Moorhens in the water, the other one scrambles up on the bank and tackles a third who has come to investigate the ruckus. Will the second Coot join the melee?
The Brawl Spills Out Of The Water and Up Onto The Bank
The Coot is victorious and puffs up, seemingly well pleased with himself. Personally I don't think it was much of a victory as the Moorhen is the smaller bird. And besides, who asked him to join in in the first place.
The Moorhen Flees From The Coot and Runs Past The Fight On The Bank
Watching with interest, the Coot moves in for closer look at the brawl still going on up the bank. After a few more hops, kicks and flutters the Moorhens break off and head into the underbrush. In all, this encounter lasted some five minutes. I'd say the Coot won day. No wonder you often hear the term ".... tough old coot."
A Canada Goose Watches As The Fight Flutters To A Halt
And while we sat and watched this weird and whacky struggle we hoped that despite all the bird activity we might still get a bite. Hope springs eternal and anglers are always full of it... hope that is... I know what you were thinking just then.
The bite alarm might go off at any moment. It didn't, though, and remained silent as a watch tower.
The Silent Bite Alarm
So, I looked around for other things to photograph. The brawl seems to have driven everything else away, not even an early bumble bee to be seen. I turned my attention to flora and found this.
Catkin Set Against a Clear Blue Sky
It became clear that we stood a snowball's chance in hell of catching anything in this peg, so Steve decided to go walkabout and stretch his legs. While he was gone a Little Grebe came sailing by. This was only the second time I'd seen one of these little birds and I'd yet to get a decent photo. I still didn't get a decent photo, but it's better than none at all, and I present it here.
Little Grebe
Steve came back and we waited a bit longer. As afternoon was waning we finally gave in and packed up. Disappointed? Yes, anglers are always disappointed if they don't catch anything at all, but that's the name of the game and there is always the next time.