See them in droves

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Today found me down at Westhay (again!).  I just like wandering up the paths and droves and looking at the rather prehistoric landscape (more on that later)  It wouldn't be to difficult to imagine a hairy neolithic man stalking the reeds.  But that's for another time and quite possibly another kind of website (takes all sorts).

Anyway back to the here and now.  Andrew was due to meet up at the raised platform.  But I had a bit of time so I examined the tree lined London Drove.  Woodpeckers were everywhere, drumming and flitting about.  But never close enough for a photo.  Then another, smaller woodland denizen caught my eye.  A Treecreeper.  I really like these little birds.  He began corkscrewing up the tree and then flitted to another one.  I tried my best but they are hard work...

Its not great but at least you can see it

Trudging away from the drove I headed to the raised hide.  This Tufted duck allowed me a quick shot before floating off.

It was rather cosy with tripods and large cameras in great numbers.  As I squeezed in I noticed 2 Marsh harriers soaring about.  The light was awful and this picture is to.  You'll just have to believe that this is a Marsh Harrier.

For a decent picture of a Marsh Harrier go back a few posts...

Moments later Andrew arrived.  Having missed the Harriers he did have some small compensation with a Kingfisher making a quick zip by.

After a while we headed back towards London Drove and up to the hide at the end (which probably has a name).  On the way we were serenaded by Long Tailed Tits

 What a lovely little fella.

Water Rails were squealing in their droves (and in the droves as well).

This one was quite tame and let me get quite close.

There was also a Reed bunting which I really hoped was a Bearded Reedling.

Quite nice.  Shame the sun wasn't shining.

This chap was surveying all he owns from the designated location

As we walked towards the hide we disturbed a large number of Goosander,which was rather annoying as they were very close.  Need to be more careful in future!

We then walked all the way to the end of the track.  Here Andrew busted out his little 50mm lens...

And what a lens it is. I love it. Its a Takumar SMC 50mm. One of the best lenses you could buy back in the day and since its a redundant M42 thread they are really cheap on the bay. Love the colours it gives. Manual focus is so much fun to! DISCLAIMER - I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm just experimenting as I go.

I like playing with contrasts and BW. Photography falls into two camps for me. One for the nature and one for the art. In the latter I'm still finding what interests me.

You can't beat a bit of mud for textures

I am quite tempted to get a short lens as it provides a nice break from trying to get birds.  Watch this space :-)

On the way back another Treecreeper flew right in front of me.  But as soon as I took a picture it turned round.  If anyone is interested in seeing a Treecreepers backside (it takes all sorts) then drop me a line.

The rail was still there along with loads of others, still squealing away.  I'm sure their numbers have gone up or maybe I am just more attuned to them?

I see them in droves these days...

More white and gold of gods own country

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Another trip oop north saw me back at a place I'd been to before. Wheldrake Ings. A very nice place in the summer when the main interest was a tagged Female Marsh Harrier. This time I was hoping for a little more now that the waters had arrived and the winter ducks should be aplenty.
Well the mud was high I can say that. It looked like a tractor had gone through the track and flicked cakes of mud all over it. The most slippy surface you could not wish for. I had my walking boots on but had to be careful of my smart work trousers. My vanity doesn't interest you though does it...............

Quick hop over the bridge and fields reminiscent of Somerset met me. Nice and flat with lush grass. I spied something I had missed before.

Owl Box

Looking good then. But its early afternoon. Pretty slim chance of seeing one. No matter its still lovely here. Walking on I could see the ducks in the distance getting agitated. Something was afoot, or should that be awing!

Kestrel

Kestrel

Kestrel

Kestrel Hover Hunting

Kestrel

Not a bad haul so far then. The tall hide was looking good in the light and the views from the top were pretty good to.

The low Waters from the tall hide. The waterfowl were far too far away for pics and I didn't have my scope but nothing caught my eye.

Jay in flight

Jay in flight

Jays have very odd flight patterns. Well at least this one did. It was very awkward and I didn't realise they flew with their beaks open. Well at least this one did.

A very pleasant hour was spent just watching the day pass by. Nothing is better. I took lots of pointless pics to pass the time.

Coming back down outside all was quiet. Little traffic from far away, the buzz of a small plane having fun. Perfect. I amused myself with such trivia as this

A not so trivial Robin

Some trees in the sun

Then there was a bit of an OMG moment. This flew passed...............

Barn Owl

Barn Owl

I just stared. Well you don't expect it do you. It was about 20 feet away going along the fence line, as they do. Luckily I came to and managed to start snapping.

Can you see me?

Swooping down

THE GREAT WHITE RABBIT OF YORKSHIRE!!!!!

It circled and dived a few times. Doing this quite quickly as if practicing rather than with any determination.

And there it sat

Settled on the post from where I had come. Now what are the chances its going to stay there if I walk back? I wanted to go on to the ponds. Probably something ridiculously rare and interesting or absolutely nothing unless you get excited by Mallards. Or should I take a risk. If it goes I would be disturbing its hunt. Wildlife don't really want to be followed around. They have very important things to do like staying alive. I decided to take the risk and walk back. It will be gone before I get there anyway. Luckily I was hidden by bushes for quit a while.

OMG there it is............... Oh!

Here you see how the Barn Owl has developed its unique marking to disguise itself as a fence post

It was quite happy to sit there. It didn't even see me until I started snapping. When it spun its head round I froze. It looked for a few seconds then went on looking elsewhere. After a while it ignored the snapping. The light was perfect. Bit of a difference to Steart at the weekend. It flew off of its own accord.

Happy days! I wandered back as the light was getting low. But not before a few more minutes watching the Gulls coming in to roost.

And a Jackdaw

Greylags

Those Gulls in that light with the silence was amazing. Loved every minute. The last pic shows the variation in the wing patterns. As I flicked through the three or four shots it shows an alternating black and white of the wing beats.

Finally I was enchanted by the oh so gentle whispers of a pair of Tree Creepers. These are lovely little birds running around the trunks. Buggers to get a picture of though. That Paper Marbling effect on their wings always gets me.

Thank you Wheldrake Ing 

One last look back from the bridge and look what I could see just waking up.

Barn Owl in a box

White for the Owls and Gold for the Light of course.