There has been a sad lack of photos taken by me recently. A combination of nothing locally to attract me out and illness in the family that prevented me from travelling far. So it was with some excitement that I managed to get out for the day last Friday and decided to start at Salthouse on the north Norfolk coast.

This was always a good site to get close and low down to birds but it has become very busy over the last few years so not as attractive.This morning was quiet for people and birds but a Pied Wagtail showed nicely with a colourful setting.

A Dunlin allowed a close approach and preened and stretched.

and the usual Turnstone showed well for a photo.

Then off to Cley NWT where, once again, there was nothing startling but good close views of Shoveler

On the way Westwards, I decided to call in at Morston Quay. Often a waste of time but this time, at low tide, there was enough to fill a card. The first was an amusing Redshank that brought the thought to my mind of ringing gone wrong!!!

then good views of Grey Plover

and an obliging Greenshank feeding although cloudy skies at this stage didn't help the contrast of a brown/grey bird against grey/brown mud

A quick call in at Brancaster harbour produced a Great Black-backed Gull eating a crab

On the way home, a call in at the clifftop car park at Hunstanton produced nothing but on driving out, on the green, I noticed a Bar-tailed Godwit close in. Expecting it to fly, I parked, wound down the car window, got the gear on a beanbag and took photos with the bird totally unconcerned.

When a dog-walker walked along the far side of the green, all it did was to move closer to me, too close to focus. Amazing and a very satisfactory end to an enjoyable day.

 

More images in the Recent Additions section.