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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

The things I do for a lifer... (1 Viewer)

nbalblas

Well-known member
Been on a field day yesterday which started pretty well with my first Merlin of the year, a bird I don't see that often in Holland.
Since I have never seen a Jack Snipe before, I looked up some observations and found a flooded field which should hold a couple. Put on the wellies and had a look. After 5 minutes, 4 Common Snipes later, I finally had my first Jack Snipe! I was about to head back and checked one last corner of the field, I put my foot down and.... gone was my right lower leg, down the mud. Water pouring into the boot and before I knew it, the right leg followed. Luckily I got out but it was cold. Very. Very cold. But hey, I got my Jack Snipe! Picture of the result attached...
 

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Been on a field day yesterday which started pretty well with my first Merlin of the year, a bird I don't see that often in Holland.
Since I have never seen a Jack Snipe before, I looked up some observations and found a flooded field which should hold a couple. Put on the wellies and had a look. After 5 minutes, 4 Common Snipes later, I finally had my first Jack Snipe! I was about to head back and checked one last corner of the field, I put my foot down and.... gone was my right lower leg, down the mud. Water pouring into the boot and before I knew it, the right leg followed. Luckily I got out but it was cold. Very. Very cold. But hey, I got my Jack Snipe! Picture of the result attached...
Stay off the alcohol or drugs mate.....your photo suggests thats a tench in the heron's beak.B :)
Also a cow pat hiding in the grass to the right I believe.
 
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Well, congrats on your lifer! Only you can say if it was worth all that mess. (Nonsense, of course it was). I had a rather messy experience at Arundel once. While putting gear back in the car, I suddenly felt a very heavy hand clapped on my shoulder. Some old friend? Or a copper, having misidentified me as some criminal or other, about to say "You're nicked, son"? But turning round, there was no-one there. Goose poop had dropped on the shoulder from a great height. At least it didn't fall on my head... No, I don't remember what goose species it was. There was no really offensive pong, geese being vegetarian.

More potentially serious was the Iceland Gull at Brogborough Lake on 25 Feb 1990, which I had driven from south London to see. It was a very cold and rainy day. The bird was duly ticked, and a splendid gull it was, despite poor visibility. But time was pressing, the light failing, and I needed to set off for home. Cars were parked in a muddy area, and having arrived late I'd had to leave mine in one of the few remaining - and muddiest - places. Starting up, the wheels spun and slithered hopelessly without getting any grip. I tried all the usual tricks, no joy. When it was very nearly dark I was helped by a (non-birding I think) couple who pulled me out on the end of a tow rope. I'll always be indebted to them. Otherwise it would have meant a night in the car in temperatures not much above freezing.

Edit: when starting to draft this post, I think only the first pic had been uploaded. No problem with that. But exactly what is dangling from the Grey Heron's bill in the second pic I don't know...
 
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Stay off the alcohol or drugs mate.....your photo suggests thats a tench in the heron's beak.B :)
Also a cow pat hiding in the grass to the right I believe.


Haha, no drugs and alcohol here! The picture was at a different location yesterday. Just thought it be nice to add it.
 
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More potentially serious was the Iceland Gull at Brogborough Lake on 25 Feb 1990, which I had driven from south London to see. It was a very cold and rainy day. The bird was duly ticked, and a splendid gull it was, despite poor visibility. But time was pressing, the light failing, and I needed to set off for home. Cars were parked in a muddy area, and having arrived late I'd had to leave mine in one of the few remaining - and muddiest - places. Starting up, the wheels spun and slithered hopelessly without getting any grip. I tried all the usual tricks, no joy. When it was very nearly dark I was helped by a (non-birding I think) couple who pulled me out on the end of a tow rope. I'll always be indebted to them. Otherwise it would have meant a night in the car in temperatures not much above freezing.

Oh, please, being stuck in those things is my specialty3:)
Even spent a half night in the desert in California with tarantulas and scorpions due to a flat. BUT, we did get the Common Poorwills!:-O
 
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