Friday 24 December 2010

Still Artic Conditions at Maza, Bittern and Water Rail Show Well

The marsh is still grip in the Artic freeze, the ice most be quite thick as large stones had been thrown on it to no effect. Amongst the reed beds it looks unfrozen though, so some birds may be able to feed. Activity was rather slow today but some decent photo opportunities presented themselves. I shall get onto the images tonight as I am sure you all be wrapping presents and stuffing turkeys.

Water Rail showing well in good light

Bittern showing well, best view of late.
Possible Pacific Diver, picture just to show a diver off shore
Gull, covered in what I can only assume is oil. Really disappointing to see this still happens.

The bottom half of our oily gull, I think he was grateful for some of my lunch!

Grey Heron on the ice.

Talons spread to grab the reeds for landing.

And a crash landing on the ice!

5 comments:

Mark Whittaker said...

Lovely Bob .. Have a good Christmas

JRandSue said...

Brilliant sellection Bob,the Bittern is superb.
Happy Christmas to you.
John and Sue.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

These are all splendid entries and wow the crash landing, and caught on film, for posterity sake too ;) Merry Christmas~

holdingmoments said...

Great shots of the Bittern Bob, but so sad to see the gull like that.
The poor birds have a tough enough time as it is, without humans making life worse.

Best wishes for Christmas.

Judy said...

I love your header of the bittern!! And seeing the great blue on the ice is funny! They leave here well before the ice comes.