Grab what you can when you can.

It's been hit and miss with the weather. I spent a few hours driving around looking for Redwings and Fieldfares the other day. Had a mixed bag of stuff, nothing stunning.

First off were a pair of cock Pheasants which looked like they were going to scrap, they didn't though, just a lot of posturing.

I went to a spot I know to try and tie down the Fieldfares and hit lucky although they were not as close as I would have liked.

So I decided a trip back may be in order. I went back twice more and managed a few more.

Whilst there I also got a Redwing.

But the star of the visit was a Jay, it was digging up acorns, scoffing a few but re-burying most.

I'm intending to go back asap and set up my hide, see if I can get everything that little bit closer.

One shot to finish with was sunset the other evening, I quite like this.

You've got to love Nature. Merry xmas.

More from Norfolk

Just a quick word before I start the blog, I am currently suffering another bout of serious depression which started a couple of weeks ago, once again it has knocked my desire to do any photography. The blog may be a bit sparse for a little while in fact there may not be any entries until Christmas is out of the way. So I hope you enjoy this one. Let me just add depression is a real bummer, it's not just about feeling low, it can be a hell of a lot more than that, the loathing and desire to self harm, can be all encompassing. I am lucky I have family who support me through it but if you know anyone who may be alone this christmas give them a call. Just to say Hi.

Anyway enough of that, I have finally gone through all of the Norfolk stuff and here is what is left.

Curlew,

and again,

Ringed Plover,

Grey Plover,

Mallard Duck,

Gadwall,

Mute Swan,

Teal,

Shelduck,

Shoveler

Pied Wagtail,

another Turnstone,

a Little Egret,

another Sandling,

and lastly another Grey Plover.

I hope you enjoy seeing them. Have a great Xmas and may 2014 bring you all lots of birding and photography opportunities.

Cold frosty mornings and a trip to the coast.

Since my last post I have made a couple more trips to the FOD but without much success. I did manage to get a rather nice Tufted Duck shot though.

Just love the purple sheen to his head.

The highlight since my last post was a trip to Norfolk with Chris Grady, Mike Smith and Andy Carey. The trip was planned hoping for decent weather and an influx of birds. Neither were particularly kind to us and the trip turned out to be hugely disappointing in more ways.

However, that said there were birds and we did have one stunning day of weather. So a trip to the beach at Titchwell was very much enjoyed, Chris, Mike and I made the best of the incoming tide.

The birds did not disappoint and I managed to get my first shots of Sanderling, and didn't they oblige. They are really speedy little characters, rushing about here and there. They were joined by Turnstones, Oystercatchers, Redshank, Gulls and a Grey Plover which wouldn't come too close.

Common Gull

Oystercatcher

Redshank

Turnstone and lastly Sanderling.

There had been a Short Eared Owl seen on the site but we didn't see it that day.

On Saturday another trip was planned to Holme looking for Snow buntings but despite another walk on the beach we failed to see any, whilst Andy, Chris and Mike spent some time at Titchwell again in the hope to get some SEO shots I went off on my own to the Harbour at Brancaster and despite much worse weather there were a couple of occasions when the sun came out allowing for a few shots.

Dunlin

 















and Black Tailed Godwit,

Friday morning before we went to Titchwell was spent at Cley NNR and once the sun had broken through the cloud we we given close ups of a few of the ducks on site. I'll save them for the next post. The stars of the show at Cley that morning were the Bearded Tits. Unfortunately there are no shots, but none of us could remember seeing them at the reserve before, although we knew they were there, and non of us had seen them as close as we did whilst walking back to the cafe, they were right there in front of us in the reeds and on the footway. Brilliant.

Finally two differing shots of the Harbour at Brancaster, one with tide out the other with tide coming in. Beautiful in both cases I'm sure you will agree.

I love Norfolk and I can still see myself having to have a move down there for 12 months in the not too distant future.

Back in the Forest.

Spent some time in the Forest of Dean recently. Had to take the dog for her haircut on the first occasion and spent the time trying out the 5D mk 3 on the big lens, It was a challenging day as the sun was in and out and when it was out it was out and very bright. Quite happy with some of the results though.

Marsh Tit.

Chaffinch.

Great Tit.

Also tried it out on the water birds, Coot and Little Grebe

When the sun was out the colour of the water was beautiful as in the Coot shot.

I also tried out my new 24-105, I say new, it's new to me, an Ebay purchase which I'm very pleased with at a price which was very reasonable.

The following day I was back and once again Fungi hunting. I also, if I'm honest, was hoping to bump into a few Boar, but despite trying a number of places I was unlucky. I did see 5 Fallow deer hinds though which was nice. The fungi never cease to impress me,

From top to bottom, Parasol (Macrolepiota procera), Shaggy parasol (Macrolepiota rhacodes), Stinkhorn (Phallus impudicus), and finally Wood Cauliflower (Sparassis crispa). The Stinkhorn I was particularly pleased to find as it was obviously freshly emerged and was covered in flies, some of which were not bothered by my presence.

 















Not a great deal to show you this time but I am pleased with what I did get, hopefully there will be some nice weather before my trip to Norfolk so come back soon and check the blog out. As per usual click on a pic for bigger versions.