It’s nice down south. I woke at four thirty this morning and looking out at a clear sky was surprised how warm it was. I did think about setting the camera up for some star trails but had more pressing business.
Today was a special day. I was to meet Keith and Trevor for a spot of birding at Freiston Shore. I took the dogs a quick walk while my porridge was cooking, came back to the van, had breakfast, polished Bertha up and set off to the nature reserve.
K&T arrived just at the back of seven and after a quick brew and chinwag off we set. Birds everywhere……. Everywhere but where we were. We walked for miles but everywhere we walked the birds flew somewhere else.
It was a great day I took one hundred and nineteen images I’ve ditched twenty nine. I will probably ditch another thirty. None are cropped but most could do with a crop. I enjoy going out with knowledgeable folk; it saves me pouring over books to tell you what I’ve snapped. It is even better going out with bright people who have the foresight to make sandwiches, soup and coffee. Thanks Keith. I even switched my camera to burst shoot mode at one stage but switched it back to single shot when I heard Keith remark.
“Was that Adrian in burst mode?”
I know I’m carrying an extra stone or two but bursting? I don’t think so. I have yet to see a shithouse with a bay window.
Folk should put us on the television. It is like an updated version of ‘Last of the Summer Wine.’ Me staggering along bent double under the weight of Bertha, Keith with his shopping trolley on wheels and Trevor trying to look sensible with a rucksack.
It was a great day out in perfect weather. Thank you both. The dogs enjoyed the birding as well so perfect it was.
Lawyer's Wig or Shaggy Ink Cap are so photogenic at all stages even if only edible early on. I'm so jealous of your Godwit photo. I took some at Minsmere years ago but you need a microscope to see them on the resulting photo.
ReplyDeleteNext time take a cartoonist with you to draw the birders in action...
John, they are a beautiful fungi. I should have packed a macro lens as there were the rotting ones as well. They don't taste of anything much so not as good as puff balls. It's a couple of years since I've stumbled across any.
DeleteThe Godwits were just icing on the cake. The Brent Geese were new to me and a little belter of a goose it is.
I'll ask their permission. We are without doubt an odd trio. We should make a movie but as we stumble about the language would mean cutting so much footage.
zulke dagen met vrienden zijn goud waard Adrian.
ReplyDeleteBas ze. Voor een keer was het weer aardig. Het bedrijf altijd is.
DeleteNumber 1 is just magnificient. I really liked them all. I'm glad the birds finally found you. I could kind of picture the three of you out together. I bet a video would be fun watching y'all watching the birds.
ReplyDeleteDavid....Wash your typing finger out with soap.
DeleteWe are serious BIRDERS.
Well Keith and Trevor are. I just stagger along for the fun of it. Keith did take some video but it really should be recorded properly before we die.
We are all deadly serious when it comes to the quality of the images. Serious but a bit inept. Non of us are ever happy with what we capture.
I am getting too old for hand holding a stone and a half of lens. I'm getting too old to carry it let alone use it. I need a nubile sherpa-ess. More than likely be too old to do her justice.
Maybe you should put an ad in personals for sherpa-ess. You could say, "must be willing to perform unjustified work."
DeleteI don't think there would be any takers.
DeleteAdrian, a brilliant day in brilliant company.
ReplyDeleteAmazed at how quickly you've got these up and posted; I've only just sorted through mine. Plenty for the bin.
Your Godwits look excellent. It was good of them to come round the van once we walked back.
Those Brent Geese were real stars today. Lovely birds; and so many of them.
I was quite pleased with some of the video I took too; including some of the cursing in the background :-)
Keith, I limit the images. There is only so much folk can stand. It may rain tomorrow and I may have to do a Crap Part Two.
DeleteYou may have walked back. I crawled back. The Brent Geese made my day a stunning bird and for a goose quiet. I do have a soft spot for Grey Lags though. Once they start calling they take off. Brent and Barnacle geese aren't as predictable.
It was an excellent day. I have never seen so many birds in the air other than Starlings, can one have a murmeration of Plover. I guess not. I bet it's called a mensuration.
Sorry Keith, I never said.
" Now where have the little devils gone."
" I seem to have got them bottom on, well bless my soul."
Doesn't sound like something I would let slip.
A great and memorable day. Thank you.
Wow, that's some fast posting Adrian, I've not unpacked the camera yet!!
ReplyDeleteYou've captured a good set of images from a great day out, it was a good trek....there's a birder in you after all! Just a shame that the birds were a little unsociable at times. Super shot of the Godwits.
Thanks for the tea and the company...looking forward to the next time we get to meet up...[;o)
Trevor, it doesn't do much for quality but it does prove I'm still here. I always shoot and post quickly. Or visa versa if my wife is to be believed.
DeleteI'm going to look at baby seals on my way home. They are lying on rocks just south of Grimsby. I'll suss out where they are and drop you an e-mail.
It was a great day. One that I will remember. Baby seals are easy to snap...they can't fly.
I liked the first image, glad to sun gods put in a appearance. Really liked the flight shot of the flock of Golden Plovers.
ReplyDeleteReally liked the Godwits all lined up, however the middle Godwit looks like a bar tail godwit (barwit), whilst the nearest one looks like a Black Tail Godwit, I can be wrong and normally am.
Can't wait to see the sitcom featuring you three, it'll be a good'un
Douglas, you could be correct. These birds mix themselves up just to confuse me.
DeleteIf you fellows are going to do a remake of "Last of the Summer Wine" I think you should take the part of Compo Simmonite. I can just imagine you rubbing your knees in the presence of Nora Batty but you'll need wellies and a woolly hat. "The Herald" can be Foggy..
ReplyDeleteYP, don't need wellies and a wolly hat I have them and was dressed in them yesterday.
DeleteSo nice that the three of you could get together. I love the photo of the birds on the wing. They catch the sunlight so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteHilary, I have lots of photos, When they settle in the sunlight they really do lookk Golden.
DeleteYou missed the best photo of all...the three of you covered in camera gear. It does help to go with knowledgeable people. I'm sure that some day I will use some of the things you discuss about cameras o photo graphing. Scary stuff eh?
ReplyDeleteRed, I think Keith may have some video. If he removes the sound then it should be fit for publication.
DeleteWhat's wrong with the sound Adrian?
DeleteWhat a great day to share with your fellow photographers and friends! Fantastic photos!
ReplyDeleteGlo, it was a memorable day. Not too hot and bright and sunny.
DeleteAfter studying some of the Godwits, I think young Douglas could be right.
ReplyDeleteI knew he should have come along.
Keith, I have looked in the book and agree. I'll have a look on the RSPB website.
DeleteThis is how I'm looking at the three birds, the bird furthest away in the frame an adult Black Tail: Straight long bill and from what I can see the birds back is plain, the middle bird: Bar Tail: slightly curved and shorter bill and a "streaky" pattern on it's back and the bird nearest might be a 1st winter/juvenile Black Tail: Straight bill and plain back, though I don't get to see many Godwits in winter plumages it's normally spring/summer plumage which makes it easier to id
DeleteDouglas, having looked at various sites I agree with you. it's a good job there are only two Godwits to choose from. If I had my way I'd settle for just one.
Deletehi Adrian. great post and well done fro posting before "the boys". Keith with a shopping trolley!!!! yes you missed a shot---of the three of you. yes that middle bird is a Bar tailed Godwit, notice the curve on the beak. yes I think you all are like The last of the summer wine men!
ReplyDeleteMargaret, I like to post the same day. They generally give the post more thought. I have thought of a trolley from time to time but unless I can harness the dogs to it i suspect it would be more trouble than it's worth.
DeleteNice post - I would have liked to have seen The Three Amigos in full plumage!!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Stewart, I should have thought and taken one. It's not as if we were short of cameras or tripods.
DeleteI knew you would get lots of birds, the Godwits are special aren't they. A nice day out, with Trevor and Keith.
ReplyDeleteBob, it is a good place. Lots of birds to see from LBJs to Mute Swans. I was hoping to see some Whoopers but the Brent Geese made up for it.
DeleteHI Adrian... Oh to be a mouse in in a backpack to be along with you three stooges (not meant to be judging).. then again perhaps not a good idea!!
ReplyDeleteLove all those Plovers in the sky shot!!
Isn't it the way , you walk for miles to come back to your start and see more then on the walk !! It happens to me all the time !!1
Looking forward to some more !!
Grace
Grace there was plenty to see on the walk but they kept their distance. I've noticed before that in flat coastal areas they can see us coming for miles. We had the reserve pretty much to ourselves.
DeleteI'll sort some more out.
I like your frankness of saying that you didn't crop anything. That takes courage, and it gives a good sense of what the surroundings were really like.
ReplyDeleteMaria, that's kind. I was expecting someone to put it down to idleness.
DeleteMost images could do with a crop. I like to see birds and animals with a bit of space around them.
According to the NZ Birds website you've got quite a choice for your plovers:
ReplyDeletea band of
a brace of
a concentration of
a congregation of
a deceit of
a flight of
a flock of
an invisibleness of
a leash of
a ponderance of
a stand of
a wing of
Seems a bit over the top to me.
A deceit should be reserved for politicians. Birds are merely annoying.
DeleteA ponderance of... so many here today Preponderance would have been more apt.
ADRIAN You had a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteI love the series of photos. About and you period the first two are great!
I wish you good weekend.
A hug.
Yes Laura, a great day. I really enjoyed it.
Delete