Attack of the Virus!

  We are spending a few days in Norfolk to do Bird watching and photography with an itinerary of walks and reserves planned. Unfortunately, I have picked up a virus (Coxsackievirus A16), probably from the grandchildren, that causes fever and variable rashes on hands, feet and mouth, normally very mild in children but produced and extreme reaction in me, especially on my feet. Phil went out on his own on Wednesday but yesterday we decided Pensthorpe was possible as they have wheel chairs!! so pictures from a wheel chair in the aviary and by the first lake will follow.

Welney Wildfowl Trust Whooper Numbers are Building

We called at Welney on our way for a few days in Norfolk and pleased to see a considerable number of Whoopers in the fields and lagoons. Very bright light made swan photography difficult! Large flocks of Black-tailed Godwits and Lapwings. 

Light Bulb Moments with Gavin Hoey

Yesterday, I attended an excellent day with Gavin Hoey called Camera Alchemy arranged by one of the local RPS Groups. Apart from a whole day of live demonstrations which ran exactly to time and were all very entertaining, we had the chance at lunchtime to photograph one of his set ups - water streaming onto a light bulb. Here a few results with tweaks!

Remembrance in Toft

Like many other villages, Toft is celebrating the 100 years since Armistice Day with a display of poppies - the displays being made by the 'Simple Sewing, Knit and Natter Group'.  Some like myself choose to wear a white poppy representing remembrance for all victims of war, a commitment to peace and a challenge to attempts to glamorise or celebrate war. It is often forgotten that about 10 million civilians died in addition to the 9.7 million military personnel. Purple poppies are also worn commemorating the animals that were injured and lost their lives in conflict. According to the Animals in War Memorial Fund, eight million horses died in the First World War. 

RSPB Rye Meads Star Species

The Green Sandpiper is a regular visitor to Rye Meads reserve in the winter months and came obligingly close yesterday. The warm weather seems to have affected the Grey Herons who were picking up sticks as if preparing for nest building. I enjoyed the metallic colours that show on Magpies in the sunlight, shot using the new Prefocus on the Fuji  XT-3 camera

Autumn Colours at Birchanger Wood

Birchanger wood originates from the 12th century when it was recorded as "Bircehangra" which means, "Wooded slope growing with Birch trees". The wood still contains many Birch trees, along with Hornbeam, Sweet Chestnut and is primarily managed for ongoing coppicing.