Kimmeridge and West Bay

 Our next stop was Kimmeridge Bay, famous for the flat rocks but these were covered as the tide was higher  than expected probably due to the onshore wind. The wind surfers kept us occupied for a couple of hours - very brave folk in the huge waves. I remembered that West Bay had a promenade and therefore might be good to photograph at high tide, so we ended up there. The spray was fantastic but even more intriguing were the large lumps of foam being propelled into the air.

Swanage Pier

 Very strong winds were forecast so we went searching good rough sea pictures. Our first stop at Swanage proved to be an error for our mission as the bay is protected by the hills from the South Westerly. Howewever the pier itself and the diving Sandwich Terns were very attractive in the welcome sunshine

Powerstock Common Dorset

 Four butterflies from today - Green Hairstreak,Speckled Wood, Wood White and Marsh Fritillary, Three species of Orchid,  Greater  Butterfly, Twayblade and Common Spotted, with Foxgloves.

No Hobbies but other birds at Lakenheath

 We went to try for more low-level photographs on Hobbies but only a couple seen very high in the sky. However, there were several small birds feeding young (Reed Warbler and Whitethroat) and even a really friendly Jackdaw fledgling. The Banded Demoiselle is enjoying an insect snack.

Wicken Fen on a Windy Day

 The wind was still pretty strong this morning so there wasn't much flying at Wicken Fen - the Male Sparrowhawk and the Swifts were two species on the wing. We spent a bit of time in the Hide watching the squabbles of the Greenfinches and Goldfinches over the niger seed.

Lakenheath Birds

 A few more birds from our visit to Lakenheath yesterday. The female Marsh Harriers were few in number -  presumably sitting on the nest while the males hunted. This male has caught a rat and is carrying it back to the nest. There were lots of Common Terns diving for fish in the river. I was very surprised by the rainbow colours on the Magpie as the iridescence reflected the blue sky. The small birds are mostly sitting on eggs rather than feeding young as they were this time last year. The Reed bunting and Sedge Warbler were among the few small birds seen.

Hobbies at Lakenheath

 We spent a very enjoyable day photographing Hobbies at Lakenheath RSPB reserve. Incredibly agile birds, the hit rate for in-focus images is very low indeed. I am still waiting to get the perfect Hobby shot where they are catching dragonflies.

Swallowtails

 We had gone to Strumpshaw on Monday hoping to see the Swallowtails as the afternoon was forecast to be the best weather of the 3 days that I am spending in Norfolk. No Swallowtails then despite the bright sunshine - too cold and windy. Yesterday was much stiller and a bit warmer. Still no sightings in the morning but, just as we were about to leave, rumour had it that they had arrived in the cottage garden area. Two beautiful freshly emerged butterflies entertained us for about an hour before the sun went in and the wind picked up.

More Images from Strumpshaw

 A few more images from Strumpshaw Fen -there were several Egrets on the Fen, the Shoveller and Shelduck have similar markings, the Black-headed Gull has a very large dinner and the goslings were particularly cute.

There were very few Dragonflies around. I did find this Hairy resting up in a shady sheltered copse. There were Blue-tailed Damselflies, Azure Damselflies and large Red Damselflies