The Twilight Zone

 

The title of this entry may have you thinking about an 80’s Psychological thriller, but no, I’m referring to the constant depressing half light that stayed with us all day. Undeterred Pete, Taz and I set out on our usual Saturday morning wander around the locality. There were plenty of birds about, but nothing new to report. At the very start of the walk, as we walked along a very high, but still within its banks river Anker, a Kingfisher put in an appearance as it headed downstream.

 

A couple of Grey Herons in the first field and a Little Egret at the lake edge. The Swan herd is growing by the week, but the Redwings and Fieldfares were thin on the ground today. There was a small flock of Meadow Pipits feeding at the fields edge.

There was a noticable increase in Cormarant numbers today, with four perched in the dead branches of a distant tree and a couple out in the lake fishing.

 

The light did make any type of photography difficult today. I am still seeing what i can get from the phone through the scope, and enjoying experimenting in difficult conditions. All the pictures on this entry are taken with a phone.

A very distant Fieldfare.

And probably my favourite picture from this morning, a Redwing.

We had our usual Saturday morning banter and before we knew it, three hours had flown by and we were back at the car. Looking forward now to getting out and making the most of Sunday morning, I hope the light will be an improvement on today.

 

Sunday,  and the hoped for increase in light values didn’t materialise. I met up with Jon and we walked around Coton Lakes. It made a change as neither of us had been there for a long time. 

 Taz enjoyed the walk

There were still floods in places, but the Tame although high, was within its banks. There was also a healthy number of Little Egret in the area this morning.

 

 We went to where the Bird hide used to be, but unfortunately there is no sign of it being replaced yet after it was destroyed by vandals setting it alight. We saw at least 14 Snipe in this area.

On returning home, a quick change and out for lunch with the family. All is good on a Sunday.

 

Now, as long as I don’t nod off this afternoon, I may have a hour or two fishing just into darkness. 

I didn’t fall asleep. Managed about an hour light lure fishing. A perfect mini predator.

Canal Zander.