Herne Bay

Herne Bay used to have a long pier from which steamers left to tour the coast and into London. Now the Pier Head is separated from the Land end of the pier after a series of fires, deliberate demolition during the war and the great storm in 1978.

Even in the rain on Monday, the town still has a certain elegance.

Rough Seas at Margate

Very rough sea in Margate today as well as heavy rain made exciting but very wet photography task. I managed to keep the camera dry under my jacket but did get drenched a few times by the waves.

Canterbury Cathedral

Very interesting visit to Cantebury Cathderal - thanks Ian for arranging this and Matthew for a very informative tour and access to various parts of the Cathedral not normally open. Mixture of Tilt and Shift, Fish-eye and 70-200mm lenses.

Small Birds from Lakenheath

The small birds were really active on our third visit to Lakenheath (Wednesday morning). Reed bunting and Whitethroat each with beaks full of food to take back to the nest, a very vocal Sedge Warbler, a very young Wren waiting for food from exhausted parents (counted at least 7 young in the reeds) and a beautiful but rather distant Kingfisher.

Amazingly Agile Hobbies

A real treat today as a Hobby passed right in front of us carrying a dragonfly, which it proceeded to tear apart and eat on the wing. It then did a pass across the water in front of us and caught a second dragonfly and consumed that also on the wing. I am amazed at its ability to catch Dragonflies - I have been trying to photograph them in flight today with no success.

Strumpshaw and Lakenheath

A few pictorial images from our Norfolk trip. At Strumpshaw this morning, the poppies were irresistable against the barley field and blue sky and even the nettles looked great backlit by the sun. A Hare popped out while we were admiring the poppies but I wasn't tall enough to get the whole animal (see Phil's Blog for whole animal).
In the afternoon we revisited Lakenheath and were amazed at the difference from the cold windy Saturday visit. We had lots of views of Bitterns, Jay and Great Spotted Woodpecker. A am impressed by the Bittern's camouflage - the legs exactly mimic a diagonal reed in my photo.

Swallowtail Butterflies

A wonderful experience today watching a dozen or more Swallowtail butterflies on Strumpshaw Fen. The warm sunshine brought them out and they fed on the brambles and irises, rested on the reeds and flew up in fighting groups. Disappointed not to get better flight pictures - will have to have another go.

Acle

Just four pictures from Acle where we have been staying for the last two nights. It has a thatched church - a real find in my childhood days of I-Spy

More from Strumpshaw

A few other species from Strumpshaw. The Black-headed gulls were busy nesting while the Lapwings defended their territories and the Arctic Terns fished.


Not very sharp but I am pleased to add cuckoo to my photographed species.

Marsh Harriers at Strumpshaw

A few pictures of the Marsh Harriers at Strumpshaw Fen this morning. It was still very windy though quite bright with a few sunny intervals so a bit better for bird photography. With the wind, there were not many insects around - was hoping for the Swallowtail butterflies.