Paxton Best of the Rest

The shallow water at some of the edges of Heronry Lake make wonderful drinking and washing areas for birds and reflection pools for photographers. Here a Grey Wagtail and Pigeon beautifully reflected. Another photographers favourite, the Otter, made a brief subject to aim the cameras as it traversed the water ahead of us. Cormorant, Llttle Egret, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe and pair of Teal complete the swim/flypast.

Flight of the Bittern

Bitterns are secretive, solitary marsh birds known for their stealthy hunting, cryptic camouflage and distinctive booming calls. Bittern sightings at Paxton Pits are not common so I was delighted when this one decided to take off and fly close to the water looking like a Sea Eagle! Not great quality to the photos but happy with the sequence as it flew along the lake edge. The final entry shows the entire flight. 

Kingfisher Sequence

The young kingfishers are definitely improving in their fishing techniques - here one caught a fish (we heard the 'plop' but it was just hidden where it entered the water). 'He' brought the fish speared on the beak a low branch to bang it and then swallow it with some difficulty - definitely looks a little uncomfortable in subsequent frame. He then decided time for a wash which I could frame up before he returned to the higher branch and flew off.

Trumpington Flowers and Fungi

I joined Iain Webb's monthly walk at Trumpington Meadows Nature Reserve yesterday looking at October's wildlife. Here a record of the fungi and flowers that we found - I am always interested to record the state of the wildlife to compare with previous and future years. Certainly the recent rain has encouraged some fungi to emerge and lots of plants have sprung up in previously completely arid areas and are now flowering. Insects generally low but looks like the Dandelion heads are supplying nectar etc to surviving insects. Very unusual low rainbow appeared during the morning heralding some welcome afternoon rain.