The Lac du Der is an artificial lake in the French Champagne region, which was created in the 1970s to help regulate the waters of the Marne and Seine rivers and so to avoid severe flooding in Paris. Since its creation the Lac du Der has become a haven for birdwatchers as many migrating birds take a rest on its waters as they travel to their summer or winter quarters respectively. This summer saw intense drought and that means that the water level is quite low, which in turn explains why we could see most of the birds only from a distance as they prefer to stay close to the banks.
Cranes in midmorning flight
Mist lifting as the birds begin to set about their day
Blue tit among the reeds
Ducks - early morning - getting ready
Ducks - ready
Ducks - now for a bit of a rest under gull supervision
Heron and Great Egret contemplating the day ahead
Morning assembly
Swans stretching their wings on a misty morning
Water shining golden once the sun has asserted itself
Common cranes
Cranes off to feeding grounds
Great Egrets
Cranes still unsure about how to spend their day
Heron looking a bit sulky
Great Egret admiring itself while procuring breakfast
Study in swan postures
Egrets and assorted ducks getting breakfast sorted
Uphill for these geese
Wide angle view across the lake against the rising sun
Adult swan and juvenile
Blue tit who might be in the oboe reedmaking business