A Sunny day at last..

After a long time being stuck indoors again, Wednesday was one of the very few times I actually made it to the bay without having to turn back because of another shower or because the wind will either push me into the bay or back home.
The tide was too far in, already, and I was eager to see if any Egrets were about. The single Grey Heron was about, as usual, yet all which was moving around the Heron's patch was this lovely Whimbrel.





Not only did I want another photo of the Whimbrel, I was also looking hopeful to the flock of Rock Pipits, flying between bay and gardens/COI, across the road.
When looking to where the Rock Pipits had disappeared to, I spotted a Hooded Crow, going from a tree in one of the gardens across the road, to the bay and back to its tree, before flying west, off to Canada. Hoping to get a picture of it for OC, I did spot another one in the same tree. Its mate? Is this the Hooded Crow(ery)? roosting tree?




Of course, my other interest was to see if I could spot the Grey Heron and the Little Egrets. At first I did see neither, however as I rode on, I suddenly saw the lone Grey Heron and stopped for a few photos.
The Heron, ready waiting for its white brethren; but where are they?


Taking advantage of what the "new" tide has brought into the inner bay is this pair of Mute Swans and a Black headed Gull.



I love how all these Gulls assemble on this strip where they know they will stay dry longest with the tide coming in. At the far end the bay streams into one of the two rivers which are connected to the bay. The other is at the COI, where we used to live surrounded by that river on two sides. I assume the Gulls to be Black headed Gulls, recently arrived perhaps from wherever they have spend their summer.



The other good day was last Sunday, and although the tide was out, the new one was trickling in and I sat on the pier for a little bit again, watching the water world go by. At the other side from me, I spotted, what I thought to be a Grey Heron, at first. Because of how 'light' it was and size wise. I must add that the distance in between is a real party pooper in that regard. It does not paint a right picture in your head. And because I expected or had hoped for the Herons to be at home, in the Workhouse Ruin ruin, where one or more of the Herons usually can be found. Take away the long neck of the Heron in the picture, and you have the body of the Bird at the other side. I think it was a Whimbrel. I have not seen any other long-billed wader here than Whimbrel.(s?)

Sorry, the quality is not very good, a lens would have been great because clearly the Extra Zoom of 28x is not reaching across the bay, which means I would fall far too short whenever I'd get an opportunity to photograph one of the local Otters! Have to think about this. Panasonic has a few extra gadgets for the Lumix and perhaps I should invest in one or more of these. If only money was available...

PS. Wonder how often I've complained about the weather in my two blogs? Must be a lot.LOL.