Tuesday 6th December, weather forcast dull and dreary so I got up at my usual time of around 8.00am, pulled back the curtains to see a rising sun and clear skies. They rarely get it correct these days.

So at the spur of the moment, I decided to go to Islaham Washes where a Grey Phalarope was being reported and 'showing well'. I have only photographed this species on two other occasions, at Covenham Reservoir 2008 and Grafham Water 2011. But with a clear night, it could easly have continued it's migration during the night and gone but I had just started up the car when a local birdwatching app confirmed it was still there.

Arriving, there was a small group of birders and it was close by the bank. A few quick shots from the top of the bank, then I slowly walked closer. There are some occasions when it is fine to be totally ignored - this was one of them.

After a time, with it busily feeding in the shallows, I moved down to the bottom of the bank - at time is was only a few feet from me and with the winter sun behind me - who couldn't have mananged a few good shots.

At one stage, it was feeding further out and then flew towards me. The Canon R5 eye focus tracked it all the way in.

A couple of hours very well spent with well over 600 photos taken. Wish it was always that easy.