Went out for a couple of hours on Sunday afternoon, just staying local. There were only common birds around due to crowds enjoying the afternoon sun. At these times, especially when the light is good, its nice to photograph those 'common' species that are two easily overlooked.

When the light is good and common birds plentiful it is also a good time to practice those flight shots.

There are quite a few sandling on the local beach at the moment so thought it about time to get a few shots of them. Not that this has been an easy task as, although not particularly shy they make a roadrunner look stationary. I love they way the birds move in unison, when in a big group, in time with the incoming waves.


These were my favourite shots out of many taken ...

A bird I have been trying to get a good shot of is the Water Rail. Usually the most you see of this shy bird is a dash of brown through a gap in the reeds. However, I was fortunate recently to have a slight longer encounter with one.

It appeared twice, once with the sunlight,

and briefly again under some cloudier skies

Another bird I have been trying to find it the Purple Sandpiper and finally came across six on a local high tide wader roost, under some sotrmy conditions.

Recently had a couple of trips to the Spinnies Nature Reserve near Bangor in North Wales and very enjoyable sessions they proved to be.

Started off with some Little Grebe

Lots of egrets use the site during high tide when they come in from the local estuary.


This gives some oppotunity for flight shots or in this case landing

Also had some fun with a nuthatch that was visiting one of the feeders and showing that classic pose

The place also offers the occasional close heron view and the colour of the reeds round the lake lives a lovely golden glow to the water

However my favoutire was the Kingfisher as this the first opportunity I have had to photograph one :)

Thought I would put together a small compilation of wader shots for this next post..

A very endearing bird the snipe..

Oystercatcher fly-by

I got close enough to Ruff for some shots for the first time recently..

I am facinated by curlew a difficult bird to get close to.

and some common local shore waders..

Dunlin

Knot

and redshank