Ruff and Tumble !

The Ruff was pictured at Titchwell RSPB three weeks ago, manuallly focussed as  I tried my Canon 400mm f5.6 lens with 1.4 converter.  Please let me know what you thing good, bad or indifferent.

Yesterday was bright at times, wintery showers (heavy hail), bitterly  cold with really strong wind. In Filey Country Park some waders were on the cliff top in the park probing the grasses, Oystercatchers and Turnstone and a lone Redshank. I got out the car and was blown away, the monopod blew in the wind, stupiddly I fell on some grass that was pure mud underneath, I shot up hoping no one saw me but now sport a lovely black bruaise where I landed on my beloved camera and lens. Serves me right, I need to be more careful but at leaset I got an Oystercatcher shot or two.

 

Sanderling (Calidris Alba)

I was fortunate enough to catch up with these little fellows on a bright sunny afternoon on the beach off Holme Dunes NWT. as usual they were running along at the edge of the tide, they went off along from me. I thought it better to stay put and wait and sure enough they came back and this bird came quite close.

They were adopting the very distinctive dashing style in front of the breaking waves.

Pictures taken with Canon 7D and 400mm f5.6 lens.

Reflection

On our first visit to Titchwell the week before last it was quite a bright morning and reasonably near to the hide a Lapwing was stood in the very still water making for a nice refection effect. I hope my pictures convey a little of the iridescent colours on the wing feathers.

Bar Tailed Godwit

As you would expect I saw a good number if godwits last week on Norfolk North Coast reserves, trouble was they were always a little too distant generally. On Friday afternoon we went on Hunstanton Beach, I was optimistically lloking for Purple Sandpipers on the groynes but in truth itb was too early, high tide was still some hours away and only Turnstones were to be seen until I spotted this Bar Tail.

Brent Geese

A few shots of Brent Geese in Norfolk where we have just returned from. They are so atmospheric these geese always chattering as they pass over head. These shots were taken on the footpath at Titchwell.

One of the highlights of the week were the v shaped formations of geese passing overhead at dusk as we stood on the doorstep of our cottage in Snettisham. I love this area, it was glorious last week with bright sunshine, warm days, deserted beaches (well Holme Dunes certainly). I will post a few shots from the week next.

Male Black Darter

There was a few Black Darters at Filey Dams a couple of weekends ago, all males. They were constantly landing on the bleached rails to the board walk. The pictures are using my Sigma 50-500mm lens (just before my new lens purchase). Whilst not sharp in the wings the body and legs are reasonably sharp.

Always nice to see this species.

I don't believe it!

For those of you that viewed my posting on 27 September of the Elepant Hawk Moth Caterpillar I said, 'not something I have ever seen before, a great sight, perhaps I never will again'. Guess what, I have seen one again. I got to Pat's Dads tonight in the village and Pat is stood there to show me an Elephant Hawk Moth Caterpillar going across the flags in front of his flat!

Nature never fails to amaze

Nearby Dunnock

We popped into Filey Dams yesterday morning before going to Flamborough Head, there was a Bar Tailed Godwit that eventually showed itself.

There was a great flock of Tree Sparrow, up to 15 counted, they looked brilliant. I saw a Spotted Flycatcher on a Willow a little too distant for photography so here is a closer to Dunnock, a much overlooked species.