Orchids Buxton Heath

The Marsh Helleborines are at their peak at the moment with many very large spikes as well as more modest blooms. There are some fairly distinct Marsh Orchids and Heath Spotted Orchids but it seems most are hybrids. The only pollinator that I found was a Flower Tumbling Beetle on a Twayblade. Very bright sunshine with temperatures above 30 degrees so not ideal for flower photography!!

Happisburgh Beach

During our time on Happisburgh beach, the skies changed from uniform grey to give some cloud structures, conveniently centred on the remains of the sea defences.  Played with shutterspeeds and water splashes - series are taken at 1/60th,1/8th and 1.5 seconds.

Planning Shots for Wind Pump Photographs

 The main object of yesterday's landscape day was to use a wide -angle set up with filters to achieve some 'classic' Norfolk views. I used my compact (X100V) as a planning tool to see what compositions might work and what colour and 'information' might be achievable. The X100V has a built-in neutral density filter and also a HDR mode producing a raw file both very useful for this task. I find I can handhold to 1/8th sec. These are raws from the camera at ISO160 with no noise reduction or sharpening.

Welney Insects after a Rain Shower 1.

There were a few showers around on Wednesday at Welney and this seemed to encourage the insects to come out in the open. Lots of flies, Ladybirds, Plant bugs etc provided material for the lens. We also spent a considerable time trying to photograph the House Martins coming in and out of their nests.

 

Waders at RSPB Snettisham

Friday evening at Snettisham should have seen a 'Wader Spectacular' when thousands of waders roosting on the mud in the Ouse Estuary are driven off by a spring high tide and form murmurations etc. Because of the strong onshore wind and the very high tide, this did not happen - the waders appeared able to anticipate this happening and went straight to roost on the gravel pits behind the beach in 'spectacular' numbers. Lots of species seen Knot, Black-tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Common and Sandwich Terns, Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls, Egyptian Goose here plus an extra inquisitive Hare. Also recorded Spotted Redshank, Spoonbill, Avocet, Egret, Cormorants, Lapwing,  Greylag and Canada Goose, Herring and Common Gull