Tdgraves big year 2020 (my 7th!!)

[Peter Connan]

Congratulations on steaming past the double century in fine style!

[Tdgraves]

WWT Welney, Norfolk, 13/10/20

 

Canon 7D mark II, 100-400 mark II, ISO1000, f7.1, 1/3200

 

J19A6959 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

209) Ruff

[Tdgraves]

This one doesn't count, but it was still pretty cool - my first cattle egrets in the UK

 

J19A7016 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

J19A7038 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

and another couple of duplicates

 

J19A6875 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

J19A6943 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

J19A6945 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

J19A6946 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

00000161a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

[PeterHG]

Not only a special sighting, but a really beautiful photo of the Cattle Egret!

[Tdgraves]

Thanks @PeterHGThey were on a ridge above me and their heads kept bobbing up and down - this was the clearest view apart from in flight. It would seem that there are a few of them around in Cambridgeshire at present

[Tdgraves]

Just a short walk today as the weather didn't look great. By the time I was free, there wasn't much light left, so I went near to home, but somewhere I have never been before. Somersham nature reserve has a small lake (gravel pit) with a woodland walk and some grassland with an orchard. It has several fisherman within a small area and lots of walkers. The sun did come out though, so it was worth the drive...

 

Somersham nature reserve, Cambridgeshire, 20/10/20

 

Canon 7D mark II, 100-400 mark II, ISO 640, f7.1, 1/3200

 

00000162a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

210) European Goldfinch

Edited October 20, 2020 by Tdgraves
typo

[Tdgraves]

The drive home goes through Earith Bridge on the river Great Ouse, where there is a sluice and this is the start of the Ouse washes. It is already flooding the surrounding fields. The path along here is currently closed due to remedial works, as it is further along in the main RSPB reserve, but there is a little car park at the side of the road and as the light was amazing, I pulled in (again for the first time ever). Nothing new, but I thought I'd show you the light....

 

00000164a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

00000165a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

And someone else who I met on on my walk

 

00000163a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

[Galana]

Nice. I nearly did not tick 'like' for that Grey Squirrel. (akas Tree Rats.)

[TonyQ]

Lots of lovely additions from StLucia and locally

Well done on 200!

[Tdgraves]

Onto another new place. With the clocks changing, I was up and about early and had some time before work. It was beautiful blue sky and sunshine, so I thought I could fit in a walk before work at somewhere close that had been recommended, but that I hadn't visited. Of course, as soon as I arrived it clouded over and it rained for about half of my walk. Roughly five minutes after I left, it was blue skies and sunshine again 

 

Godmanchester nature reserve, Cambridgeshire, 26/10/20

 

Canon 7D mark II, 100-400 mark II, ISO 1600, f7.1, 1/2000

 

00000168a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

211) Little egret

[Tdgraves]

Now I am happy to be corrected on the next two...

 

Godmanchester nature reserve, Cambridgeshire, 26/10/20

 

Canon 7D mark II, 100-400 mark II, ISO 1600, f7.1, 1/1600

 

00000169a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

212) Lesser black backed gull

[Tdgraves]

Godmanchester nature reserve, Cambridgeshire, 26/10/20

 

Canon 7D mark II, 100-400 mark II, ISO 800, f7.1, 1/1600

 

00000173a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

213) Herring gull

[Tdgraves]

Godmanchester nature reserve, Cambridgeshire, 26/10/20

 

Canon 7D mark II, 100-400 mark II, ISO 800, f7.1, 1/2000

 

00000172a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

214) Tufted duck

[Tdgraves]

And a couple of duplicates

 

00000166a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

00000170a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

00000167a by tdgraves, on Flickr

[PeterHG]

Lovely flight shot of the swan!

[Peter Connan]

Agreed. Beautiful.

[Tdgraves]

Well, I was feeling pretty ****ed off yesterday. Lockdown version 2.0 has killed 2020 holiday no. 2.  We were off to Norfolk next week, hoping for some much needed R&R and a few seaside/migratory ticks. Now I am worried about 2021 holiday no.1....

 

A good night's sleep and some sunshine did wonders though and I feel much better today, so I thought I'd go out for a walk to blow away the cobwebs. 

 

RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes, Cambridgeshire, 3/11/20

 

Canon 7D mark II, 100-400 mark II, ISO 640, f7.1, 1/2500, EV +2/3

 

J19A7282 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

215) Red kite

[Tdgraves]

RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes, Cambridgeshire, 3/11/20

 

Canon 7D mark II, 100-400 mark II, ISO 800, f7.1, 1/2500

 

Male

 

J19A7299 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

Canon 7D mark II, 100-400 mark II, ISO 1000, f7.1, 1/2000, EV +1/3

 

Female

 

J19A7305 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

216) Eurasian bullfinch

[Tdgraves]

And a new one for this site and only my second sighting ever, which certainly cheered me up 

 

RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes, Cambridgeshire, 3/11/20

 

Canon 7D mark II, 100-400 mark II, ISO 3200, f5.6 1/2000

 

J19A7328 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

217) Tree creeper

[Galana]

I can sense your delight with that TreeCreeper capture. Very nice.

Share your sorrow over lost trips.

Perhaps we should start a new thread "Where WERE you planning for 2020/21?" 

Edited November 4, 2020 by Galana

[TonyQ]

 

That is a lovely picture of the Treecreeper. Difficult to photograph as they move so quickly!

 

Sorry about your Norfolk trip.

Edited November 3, 2020 by TonyQ

[Soukous]

Well done on the Treecreeper. I've been trying to get one for the past couple of years without success.

Sorry you've had to cancel yet more plans - but believe me you are not alone in that. 

[Tdgraves]

Thanks @Galana @TonyQ and @Soukous

 

all the more annoying that everyone who went away for half term was ok and that I could have easily chosen this week rather than next....

[shazdwn]

Sorry you had to cancel your trip. So disappointing 

[Zim Girl]

Lovely Treecreeper, shame about the Norfolk trip though!