New Life

This time of year is so special, the time of new life in Nature.

This Spring I was thrilled to get a proper view of a baby hare, called a leveret, for the first time. It has become a regular visitor to my brother’s garden first thing in the morning, so when visiting I had my camera at the ready. This one has already grown quite a bit since it was first spotted a few weeks ago. Leverets are born above ground and remain above ground, hidden in undergrowth for most of the daytime. Their mother only comes to feed it once or maybe twice a day.

In the same garden were some lovely fledglings including this robin chick, perched on an apple tree branch.

On the ground was a rather tame blackbird fledgling.

The swans on the pond nearest to me have not made their usual nest. However I’ve been keeping my eye on other swan nests. At another local pond there have been four cygnets successfully hatched as well as lots of coot chicks and ducklings. They are quite accustomed to people walking around and so I could get quite close to them for photographs. This wee cygnet has just had its beak in the water, learning to feed for itself.

These three look like they are playing “follow my leader”.

This growing coot chick still seems to be relying on its parent to feed it beak to beak.

I’ve not seen any owlets at all this year or any otter cubs or fawns. But there’s still time! Meanwhile it’s just super to appreciate and enjoy what new life IS in view.