Slimbridge in the Sunshine.

It didn't start that way, it was very foggy. I almost turned back thinking that it wouldn't change before lunch. Fortunately it did and when it did it was a warm sunny day.

I wanted a good day, I was desperate for some decent opportunities. They came. I took over 200 shots. I have decided in this post to concentrate on the Heron that was very obliging.

It was as close as I can remember ever having been to a Heron. At times I had to take the 1.4 converter off my camera and still couldn't get it all in.

I wouldn't say it was tame, it did fly off on a couple of occasions when people were moving by. It did seem intent on lunch, I saw him take one fish but as is always the case I didn't get that shot as I'd hoped.

It's been a while since the weather was not a concern, I had to concentrate on the shot and try to get it spot on. I believe that this series of shots, of which these are only a few, were the best Heron shots I've taken. I hope that compressing them down to this size hasn't detracted from the quality of the originals.


The day wasn't all about the Heron though, I have some other shots of other stuff that I'm really pleased with. I'll work through them over the next day or so and post some here.

But for now I hope you enjoy these.

Just a quick word about the Feeders at New Fancy. I continue to feed the birds nearly every day. I hope that my efforts have helped keep some of the birds alive during the recent cold snap. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Micheal Edwards who I met yesterday (Tues) in the Car park. He kindly gave me a donation of ten pounds towards the food. I have already spent it on fat balls and Sunflower seeds. It warms my heart that there are so many people who, in these difficult times, are still considerate of God's tiny critters. Thank you Michael and all the others who have contributed by feeding when they have attended to watch or photograph the birds.

I now appreciate how much it must cost Slimbridge to keep feeding the birds. I watched the feeding there this evening at the Rushy pool. Martin wheeled out a wheel barrow full of seed, and was followed around the lake by the birds as he spread it around so even the smallest of the ducks and waders could get some. It made me appreciate that we all have a role to play.