October 2017 It's always exciting when a Water Rail breaks cover.

These are really secretive little birds that spend most of their time hidden deep in the vegetation.  It is always exciting when they break cover and they seldom spend long in the open.  This one also made a lot of squealing calls when out of site.  It is said to be reminiscent of a weaner pig!

Water Rail

Water Rail

I really love these secretive elusive birds!

October 2017 One last Osprey picture. This one having a bathe!

This was just so exciting when this happened.  It just flew down from its perch and started to bathe.  I never thought I would ever witness this!

Bathe time

October 2017 On holidays in Majorca the beautiful S'albufera Parc Natural

This is my third visit to Majorca and one of the main reasons I go back so often is the beautiful S'albufera Park Natural.  I love this park which is the largest wetland in the Balearic Islands and it is quite magical.  There are a large number of species to be seen and they have great facilities with quite a number of hides and viewing platforms.

Flamingo

Kentish Plover

Night Heron

Osprey

 It was quite a surprise to see a couple of flamingos drop into the wetland.  I have never seen this species there before.  The Night Herons can often be seen in the vegetation down the main canal as you walk in.  Kentish Plovers are quite numerous.  I had heard that an Osprey had been seen on a few days but I had to wait until my fourth visit before I managed to catch up with it.  The whole scrape of birds took rapid flight and there was the great noise of wing beats spreading along the scrape.  This beautiful Osprey then landed on the post in front of the hide.  This was just so exciting made all the more special by having to wait for it.

October 2017 Passage Ruff in the UK

These birds breed in northern Europe but we get them on passage as they go through the UK.  There are very few that breed in the UK about ten pairs.  I always enjoy seeing them on passage as they are quite exotic birds.

Ruff

Ruff

October 2017 Osprey before they leave for the winter

I had an early morning quick jaunt down into Wales this morning with a target of catching up with the charismatic Osprey before they leave for Africa for our winter.

Osprey

Osprey

 These really are thrilling to watch and I must spend more time with them next year.  I have a dilemma though, as I have a mental block when it comes to paying quite large amounts of money to photograph them from a hide as they dive into fish farm.  This seems to be the norm these days and perhaps I may have to just join them!

October 2017 They have to take-off some time! - Kestrel

One thing that you can be certain of, if a bird is perched patiently at some time or other it must take off.  You would probably need a tripod to hold the camera on them long enough in some cases.  It often gives you the chance of different image.

Kestrel take-off