17th: The Mrs and I had a very nice run out out to Filey Bay… it was low tide… the Sun was out but it was COLD!!! The light was absolutely brilliant and we had a great walk on the beach. However, this time of year its always good to keep an eye out for Winter treats along the shore line and sure enough it wasn’t long before we had a couple of Sanderlings running like clockwork mice just in front of the waves and with the Sun picking out the feather details on these beautiful waders I was notching up a few frames. Unfortunately the adult bird flew off, the juvenile remained and it was a great pleasure to photograph this gorgeous little bird for at least 15 minutes as it ran completely unworried in front of us.
There were also some Oystercatchers that gave great views as they flew back and forth across the beach at wave height; this gave the pictures some nice backgrounds.
20th: Another visit to North Yorkshire Water Park…Apparently there was now, male and female Smew at the water park lake!! So on Saturday afternoon I dragged the Mrs along to see this gorgeous duck .. but when we got there no sign of it at all … despair until a little voice at the side of me said … ‘that white duck you are looking for, has just surfaced’ …. ensuing panic … sure enough male Smew right out inf ront of me!!…. Now why the Memsahib does not take birding up is beyond me .. her eyesight is far better than my busted lamps!!! Anyways what made this sighting of the fabled Smew so special, was that it was quite jumpy and flying quite regularly … so I even managed to get some flight shots …. and further round the bay the female was showing too !!! What a great afternoon …. apart from tripping over and falling into some very clarty mud … at least my camera and bins were undamaged … the only thing dented was my pride!!
21st: on the way back from Castle Howard me and the Mrs stopped at the top end of the ‘Stray’ as the Memsahib had spotted some geese in on one of the fields … I was completely oblivious as I was driving until I was told to stop!! A quick reverse off the road was needed and I was able to scan the flock …. and thankfully I did stop … because feeding with Canada geese was a solitary Barnacle Goose!!! Evidently much smaller and dressed in its smartest black, grey and white plumage … what a smart bird!! Again the Mrs digs me out a nice bird!!!
