Dismal and Grey at Hayle

Yes it is a day off work, true to form crap weather for photography. However not having had the camera out this month I was going to take pictures regardless. All the shots here a second rate, record shots if you like. However I havent posted for a while so there inbound. Decided to visit Ryans Field at Hayle as the weather was pathetic and sooner or later shelter would be required. Despite it being low tide there was some activity. A Grey Heron patiently fishing and eventually getting reward for his efforts. Curlew, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, Egret all present.  Kingfisher was a bonus haven't really seen any since last years harsh winter. Although to far distant from the camera he was also fishing sucessfully. At least the cobwebs are off the camera again now, hopefully some fine weather this weekend will yield some better images?

Curlew

This may be my first image of a Kingfisher this year!

Goldfinch, the only bird close enough today for a half decent picture.

Grey Heron persistance paid off for him.

Not sure Whimbrel, Curlew Sandpiper, something else, apart form a crap picture?

Starlings in the rain.

Apologies for lack of posts: Here is the reason!

A lot of renovation work on my cottage has taken somewhat longer than intended. I also had to go away with work for a week near Sandy RSPB, but didn't get a chance to visit there either. However the end is in sight and hopefully I shall have the camera out at the weekend or maybe even Tuesday. Decided to change my living room carpet, then the suite, then paint and decorate; and then I thought sod it, time to remove the ghastly varnish which had been put on the stone wall of my cottage, hiding the natural stone. This invovled a needle gun, industrial hoover etc and me. Using the needle gun to remove the sealant from the stone was like being in a sand storm couldn't not see or hear a thing at times, creating a mess on a huge scale. Pictures of the work below.

The Natural stone with the  yuck sealant finish

Dustsheets in place to prevent the debris spreading

Needle gun used to remove the surface and then all mortar cement removed as far as possible

All most there pointing redone using lime mortar, looking much better.

Quoted between £1000-£1600 done myself over two weeks for about £250!!!

Well that is the bulk of work done so hopefully lots of wildlife shots in the next post!!!

Computer Fixed Now Back on Line

As the computer guru's charge £35 per hour + parts!!!! I decided to check out the computer myself, diagnosis a duff power supply unit? Fitted a new one for £26 and it works so happy now. Still lots of work going on preventing me from taking pictures, however got out for an hour today at Stithians.  I was there six days ago and water levels appear to off dropped loads since then.  Todays pictures feature the normal residents birds, but just good to get back out and posting again.

Two Heron,s being rather boisterous, Stiths not big enough for two of them?

Cormorant who drives through the reeds for fish as there isn't much open water left at Stiths Northern Cut Off

Record shot of the Greenshank

Wood Sandpier? Still in residence

Offline, normal service will be resumed soon (hopefully)

Very busy doing building work at present so no images.  Just to compound matters my main computer has died. (B????ard)  Currently limited access via my latop, building workand computer snags aside hopefully I will be fully functional and updating the blog soon. I will endeavor to catch up on all the blogs etc then. I can still connect to the net and email via my laptop, so not totally knackered. Laptop is not ideal for my photo work but I can use it for net connection and maybe photowork if repairs are not quick to the main computer. Blog back to normal????? soon I hope.

Northern Cut Off Revisited

Well with rain forecast most of the week and impending structural work needing doing on my cottage, today was the last chance for images until the weekend. Another visit to Stithians, it was still quite lively and there weren't to many quiet periods. With the low water levels there seems to be some opportunistic fishing going on and some waders as a plus enjoying the mud.

Little Grebe putting on a show in front of the Golden Lion Hide

Snipe that dropped by.

Distant shot of Grey Heron with Frog.

Cormorant returns to his perch after a spot of fishing.

Greenshank

Grey Heron

Swallow out of the dip

Sand Martin to finish off with.

Stithians (Northern Cut Off)

All the pictures except one are form the Northern Cut Off (Red Lion Hide). Due to the lower water levels this year it is becoming difficult to get any subjects large enough in the frame from the main hide.  A walk down the side of the reservoir and things were still to distant. So I thought I would give the Northern cut off a try. Ok nothing spectacular but certainly more livlier than normal. Possibly providing some shelter here from the wind, unless you were in the hide! Todays Images:

Thanks for some late information from Simon Taylor the warden at Stithians "The bird on the left is a Wood Sandpiper (Note the prominent white eye stripe)




Middle one is the Greenshank (note size difference and upturned bill)



Two of the other 3 are Green Sandpipers



The remaining one may be the second Wood Sand



The wader on it's own in the next picture down is a Green Sand" so picture ID's ammended.

The main hide, shutters closed not a good sign??

Wood Sandpiper left, Greenshank centre and two Green Sandpipers

Closer shot of the Green Sandpiper

The Little Grebe feeding the youngster

The Little Egret and Heron shelter from the wind.

Game over for this fish?

Yes, no escape!!