Parkgate 12th February

Parkgate on Monday presented so many spectacles - the view of masses of birds against the industrial scenes on the other side of the estuary and the speed with which the water rushed in to inundate the marshes at high tide. There were lots of White Egrets catching the voles, flocks of Pipits and Skylark, hovering Kestrels, Herons etc.

Hoylake 12th February: Wader Flocks in Slow Motion

Bright sunshine and clear skies greeted us on arrival at Hoylake on Monday so, just to be contrary, I chose a slower shutterspeed (1/125th and 1/50th) to try panning the large groups of waders. Because they move at different speeds and directions, the results are very random but I did achieve one or two that I like. I got a bit finger happy with manipulation for the second photo creating a wonderful flight of Kingfishers! Some straighter shots plus a panorama to show the huge extent of the wader flocks.

Parkgate Inundation 11th February

 With very high tides, the marshes at Parkgate get inundated with water which comes in a surge up the Dee estuary. This strands lots of voles and other creatures and these are easy pickings for Gulls, Egrets, Kestrels etc. Our visit on Sunday had quite overcast conditions but the sun came through periodically early on in the visit giving causing great changes to the landscape. I spent quite a time trying to get a feel for the vastness and the coexistence of such an abundance of wildlife and the many industries based on the Estuary. The rest of the time I captured the action as many voles met their death.

Hide Tide at Hoylake

 Our first stop yesterday morning was at Hoylake to watch the wader flocks as the tide drove the birds towards us. Here just a sample - maybe others to come when processed. I was attracted by the light and dark as the birds changed aspect.

Cambridge to Macclesfield Train stops

The scheduled trains were cancelled on my journey to Macclesfield so with replacement services I ended up with a bit longer in London and Stafford than I expected so I did a bit of architectural photography as I am putting a talk together for a future date.

 

Season is Changing at Paxton

There are definite signs that Spring is on its way at Paxton with the Cormorants in breeding plumage and busy nest building, and the Great Crested Grebes are showing their breeding ruffs. Winter visitors are still with us while immature nonbreeding Cormorants and Herons are sitting around looking very bored. Poor light most of the time for photography.