After the rules on lockdown being relaxed a little, I had my first full day in the field on Tuesday and the first proper test of the new camera with the 500 lens and converters.

Since Grafham Water had only just opened, I went there first to see of I could get some shots of Swallows in flight from the dam. About 100 shots later, and with an embarrasingly large proportion showing nothing but sky, I managed several shots worth keeping. Here is one of them.

Surprisingly, the reservoir was nearly full, despite the very dry weather but a walk around produced nothing of note, so I called in at a nearby village, Stirtloe, and walked the lane down to the back end of Paxton Pits.

A real hive of activity with opportunities to really test the camera. Fist a male Linnet

and a pair of Sedge Warblers feeding young.

Having a well earned drink back at the car, due to the heat, a Chiffchaff showed well

and, just afterwards, on the same branch, a male Blackcap gave me the opportunity for the photo of the day.

With the heat taking it's toll, back home to see if the photos have turned out OK. You can make up your own mind on that.