Wash and brush up.......

I came across this Lapwing at Pitsford Reservoir at quite close quarters and managed to get these shots through the car window. The warm evening sunshine gave the light a really good quality.

Lapwings always make me laugh, the markings around their eyes always look to me as if mascara has been applied with a rather shaky hand.

The '' Oil on water '' effect on its upper parts was really shimmering as the sun was by now quite low to the horizon. 

So, down to the water where this guy made quite a splash for a good ten minutes before returning to dry land to finish preening.

A lovely encounter.

                                                                    Bad hair day !