Last Tuesday afternoon, I revisited Ouse Washes RSPB, to see what was happening with the Crane population. The previous week, up to 13 had been reported there.

Sadly, despite checking all of the hides, the only ones showing were two rather distantly from Stockdales Hide. I decided to sit and watch to see what happened. Not a lot except for some feeding interspersed with some sleeping. Still, with the 2x converter on the 500 MK2 lens and the 7DMK2 camera, I relieved the boredom with a few shots.

Except for plenty of waterfowl, peacefully sleeping, there was no other activity.

Should there be an interesting fly-by, I usually keep the 1.4 converter on the hublot replica camera as the 2x is too slow and it was with this set-up, there was some action.

The female started to display to the male that quickly took up the challenge.

ansd this soon turned into a full-blown mating. Most surprising during October.

and the whole event was finished with a celebratory dance.

What a spectacle to witness.

I have since found out that the ringed female has been named Beatrice and originated chopard replica as part of the Great Crane Project in Somerset, hatching 28th April 2011. She then went AWOL, being reported in nearby Northamptonshire before turning up in Cambridgeshire during April of this year. This is the first evidence of her choosing a mate.

Overall, a fascinating afternoon. Events like this make the efforts involved in wildlife photography really worthwhile.