Did You Know?

One of the things about bipolar depression is that it’s a brain disorder. Treatment can help manage the symptoms, but bipolar is a lifelong illness. At times, the mood fluctuations will abate, but there is no cure. My mood recently has been rather on the low side; medication takes the edge off, and there are other coping strategies which can help ease the symptoms. However, on days when getting out of bed feels an impossible task, even a walk will seem too much to take on. My recent bout hasn’t been immobilising, and I’ve tried to manage it by combining medication with more practical approaches. One of which has been to spend time outside with our son, and my camera. Rather than just appreciating and photographing nature, I decided to try build my knowledge of everything I captured on camera. Hence the post title, ‘Did You Know?’

We start with a moorhen. The moorhen is one of the world’s most common birds, and is known by various names, including ‘marsh hen’ and ‘common gallinule’. Moorhens tend to be monogamous, and share nest building and parenting duties. The one I photographed was paddling at the edge of the lake, before leaving the water to forage in a small area of woodland nearby.

Next, a mute swan. This male was chasing a pair of Canada geese around the lake. Using his wings to appear larger, he was rising and falling into the water, creating a bow wave ahead of him. Mute swans are very protective of their nests and families, and I assume this swan had a nest on one of the lake’s islands. The mute swan is the national bird of Denmark.

The great crested grebe. A beautiful water bird, with striking plumage, this adult is carrying its young on its back. Although the young are precocial, they tend to travel this way for the first few weeks. The parents share responsibility for nurturing the brood, but as the chicks grow, the family divides into two. After ‘brood-splitting’, each parent takes sole charge of caring for their own allocation of chicks.

A summer visitor, the reed warbler is often heard before being seen. Reed warblers weave nests between reeds; before laying 3-5 eggs. The reed warbler is one of the birds which is commonly parasitised by the cuckoo. There are a number of collective nouns for warblers, including ‘a bouquet’ and ‘a confusion’.

I hope you enjoyed reading this ‘Did You Know?’ post. It was certainly very enjoyable being in the fresh air watching nature. Bipolar has no cure, but for the few hours that I was outside, the symptoms receded.

More information (starting suggestions):

• British Birds – The Wildlife Trusts
• Bipolar Disorder – Bipolar UK

Finally, I’ve said many times that you are never alone. If you’re suffering through mental ill health, please speak to somebody. The Samaritans have trained advisers available all day every day; call them free on 116 123.