RKell1
Landrover, it does exactly what it says on the tin
Up early again and back to the estuary this morning. I'd planned on heading up to my local patch but with spring here I thought I'd pay a few more visits before the migrants head off to places far and wide..plus Mabel mentioned waxwings so there was slim chance I may see some..and I had my new camera to try out. :-O
Arrived at 8am blue sky and sunshine, 3 Little Grebe in the river so promptly lifted the camera and...under the went. 50 yrds down 2 more Little Grebe..drat they saw me and under they go..so you get the picture 30mins of hide and seek and Grebe come out on top, no photo. Just as I walked back to the jeep I see a Mute Swan which I think is feeding by the bank so I move up closer. As I reach close to where the Swan is it doesn't feel right and in a couple of more steps I realise it's dead. No sign of any injuries and it looked in great condition so my guess is it had died either during the night or early morning, heartbreaking to see such a wonderful bird like that.
Further on down by the channels,pochard, teal, shellduck, mallard and then a little white head pops up and a Little Egret shows out in the grass but manage a quick photo before it vanishes back into a channel.
Mudflats showing Brent Geese, Gulls, Godwit, Redshank, Greenshank, Dunlin etc busily probing the mud for a tasty meal or just resting up.
Mute Swans in the usual spot, waiting for the morning bread to arrive..Chaffinch, Robin, Goldfinch, Blackbird singing merrily as I photographed the Swans.
Drove around to the far side of the estuary and got a quick look though the scope of what I'm convinced was the head and neck of a Greylag looking up out of a channel. Waited for a good 30mins but it never showed again. Checked the posts for Kingfisher..all empty. I walked up along through the grasses but all was quiet bar the odd Woodpigeon and Jackdaw so called it a day, and the flask was empty. Camera felt good and pleased with the first shots. Weather permitting I'll hit the local patch tomorrow and practise some more.
Arrived at 8am blue sky and sunshine, 3 Little Grebe in the river so promptly lifted the camera and...under the went. 50 yrds down 2 more Little Grebe..drat they saw me and under they go..so you get the picture 30mins of hide and seek and Grebe come out on top, no photo. Just as I walked back to the jeep I see a Mute Swan which I think is feeding by the bank so I move up closer. As I reach close to where the Swan is it doesn't feel right and in a couple of more steps I realise it's dead. No sign of any injuries and it looked in great condition so my guess is it had died either during the night or early morning, heartbreaking to see such a wonderful bird like that.
Further on down by the channels,pochard, teal, shellduck, mallard and then a little white head pops up and a Little Egret shows out in the grass but manage a quick photo before it vanishes back into a channel.
Mudflats showing Brent Geese, Gulls, Godwit, Redshank, Greenshank, Dunlin etc busily probing the mud for a tasty meal or just resting up.
Mute Swans in the usual spot, waiting for the morning bread to arrive..Chaffinch, Robin, Goldfinch, Blackbird singing merrily as I photographed the Swans.
Drove around to the far side of the estuary and got a quick look though the scope of what I'm convinced was the head and neck of a Greylag looking up out of a channel. Waited for a good 30mins but it never showed again. Checked the posts for Kingfisher..all empty. I walked up along through the grasses but all was quiet bar the odd Woodpigeon and Jackdaw so called it a day, and the flask was empty. Camera felt good and pleased with the first shots. Weather permitting I'll hit the local patch tomorrow and practise some more.
