Making my way to the local bird hide the other day, my thoughts drifted to the fox that I had seen fleetingly dashing through the woods. I thought how great it would have been to have got some shots. All was quiet down at the hide with the Green-winged teal that I had come to photograph way out of range. After a couple of hours I spotted a movement out of the corner of my eye as a fox ran towards the hide in the late afternoon sun.


It made its way closer and closer to the hide until it realised it was actually running towards people!!!

A very enjoyable moment :)

I first spotted dipper at this spot on the River Alynback in July but took a few sessions before I finally managed to get some shots. Having sat for a couple fruitless hours in the bag hide I decided to get some fresh air and there in front of me obscured by a bush is the dipper 10ft away. So got a few shorts by open stalking the bird.

and managed to get down a bit lower for this one.

There has been a buzzard acting strangely in recent weeks. Instead of chasing rabbits it has taken up chasing earthworms on the local horse paddock. However, at least this has provided some opportunity to get some shots on both the ground and in flight as usually all you see of them is soaring high overhead.

They are quite a majestic bird when they walk around on the ground.

and can be spectacular when coming in to land.

Decided on a revisit to the Bunting Hide at Pennington Flash. Another enjoyable session despite missing a good opportunity to photograph a Jay gathering Acorns in the Car Park. Finally managed to get a shot of one of the Willow Tits that never stay on a perch for more than 5 seconds.

Plenty of dunnock were running around picking of spilt food of the floor as usual

Bullfinch and chaffinch were also present in numbers

Also caught only my second glimpse of a Waterrail. The first time I saw one was at Inner Marsh which was little more than a blur in a gap between the reed beds. This one showed for not much longer but time enough to get a single shot in.

Called into Martin Mere, near Southport, the other weekend for a change of scenery. The hides overlooking the mere itself were quiet, as I had expected, as it was a bit early for the return of the pink footed geese and whooper swans. So went over to the duck collection ponds for a bit of relaxing photography. Here are a small selection of the photos.

A Wigeon in some afternoon light

Wood Duck

Pochard having a splash around

and to finish off one of the Flamingos

Overall a very enjoyable afternoon session :)