England Conquers Wales
Hi there
What a busy life I lead...After the Lakes meet recently, we held a much smaller one at the RSPB Reserve at Conwy. Bob England and his wife Pauline were on holiday in Llandudno and as I often speak to Bob on the phone, I asked him if he would care to meet up when they were up this way. Bob jumped at the chance and so it was all set up, Mike Hardisty picked up on the meet and aksed if he could pop along too. I spoke to Bob and asked him if it was OK and it was with some reluctance that we agreed he could come!!!!! he he.
Sunday morning was glorious and I set about checking my camera, batteries etc I took this shot in our garden. Hover-fly about 15 foot away, caught it taking off.....Speaking of which, I'd better get going I don't want to be late..
I arrived at the Reserve and very soon Mike turned up and as we walked to the cafe, we spotted Bob and Pauline.
We thought we should have group shots to mark the event. Yours truly is in the middle....note he has had a haircut now!!!
So off we set, question....Which way to go?
we take advice from this Blackbird, well after all, he knows the reserve better than we do
Mike spotted a Buzzard circling overhead
1st Bird-Hide, plenty going on...A Lapwing enjoys the warm sunshine
Little Egret look for food in the shallows
stabbing at the water and taking shrimp and the like
only to carry on the search. I love the little Egret and they are to be found in the UK in quite large numbers now. Great to photograph.
Oyster-Catchers were in plenty of numbers
and tended to squabble a lot
Mike and I spotted a Whitethroat and both of us snapped away
I got 18, not sure how Mike did.
I have yet to see his so that we can compare the two cameras
My Canon against Mike's Pentax. Fuji meet!!!! Well Bob had his Fuji with him so that's OK. Lol
The starling were around in large numbers the young calling for food
on the ground and in the trees.
We spot a young rabbit in the under-growth, they do quite well here and are food for the Stoat which frequent these parts. Mike saw one today but I don't think his shot came out very well
I climbed a bank whilst Mike, Bob and Pauline were having a chat and looking over the top, disturbed a couple and they ran this way
and that and then
paused to see if I was a threat or not. Me...a threat!!! No way.
Getting near to the next hide, I spot this Reed Bunting high in a tree
not far away, in the reed beds, was the feemale
it was quite breezy and the female struggled to keep balance
and in the end had to fly off.
From the hide, we saw Dunlin doing synchronized flight and it was great when the sun hit the underside of the bird giving a flash of white as they twisted and turned. Smashin to see.
Shellduck flew in
and they too started squabbling.
Bob was really getting into taking some shots and I guess we will have to wait till he gets back home to see what he captured on the day.
As we walked along-side the estuary, we kept our eyes out for the Stoat which are here at this time of year, the flowers along the path were looking particularly nice in the sunshine
all in full bloom, in my view, this display beats anything you will see at Chelsea
I reckon the Peacock Butterfly would agree too.
It wasn't until after I had loaded this to the PC that I spotted the wasp flying by!!
Plenty of insects for the birds today. A Chaffinch catches a fly.
A first for me, a Spotted Flycatcher. A fist for me too to meet Bob and his wife Pauline....We had a great day and I take my hat off to Bob who, although used a walking stick/seat combined, did the whole circuit of the RSPB site which is about a mile and half, only stopping now and then to rest. He said that he had thoroughly enjoyed the day and we said our farewells till the next time, probably at the Slimbridge meet which Mike is setting up in Sept this year.
Speaking of Mike, he said his fond farewell to me!!!! Lol Cheers Mike, see you again soon. He only lives just down the coast from me and I think we will be meeting again before Slimbridge. So, now it's off into Llandudno for tea with Steph before I go 10-pin bowling.
After the bowling, I stop off in Conwy to capture the sunset and what a great way to end the day.
There we are then, my account of the day that Bob England conquered Wales (well some of it)
Thanks Bob and Pauline, great to meet you both and I am sure we will again soon. Mike, of course, we will be doing it again soon. thank you for your company, intelligent chat and for adding to my knowledge that little bit more, very much appreciated.
Thank you for having a look at this my latest blog which seemed to go OK in the end, good job I'm patient.
So there we are, another Mini-Meet done. Next weekend, it's South Stack with the lovely Kaz.
Thanks. XX
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Got some goodens there m8 lol. narrative was a bit sketchy lol. still I suppose it is hot that's why I took my shirt off too you ha ha ha!; nice shots! was he measuring some thing with his finger!!!!!!!, a very good lot of high quality photo's as always, a like from me, regards Leon.
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Leon
If you read the heading.....It says under construction!!!!!
Thanks.
Steve
My gallery: http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/gallery/117
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I thought it meant that England conkering Wales was under construction, I mean to say that David Cameron has got to make his name some how! lol. regards Leon. and two shirts off lol.
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I'm sure you're paying the local bird ringers to save you the best birds to take pics of... spotted flycatcher indeed!
Looks like you all had a good day, looking forwards to w/e.
Kaz
Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish. John Jakes
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great blog Steve, some super shots, I do like the Egrets
Thanks for sharing
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Great blog Steve. Was in Llandudno myself Sunday, almost called into Conwy RSPB. Have attempted to put up a blog about it (twice) today, but all that saved was the title. Might just try again, and if it doesn't work will probably give up doing any more.
Mike
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Fab blog Steve, some amazing shots of the birds, I love the egrets.
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I LOVE the Bunnies.......................and the Egrets.............and the Oyster Catchers.......and the Hover................
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Nice blog Steve ..glad you had a good day.
Jim
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Superb Steve!! Methinks I should come up there for a masterclass!!
Liked
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Thanks folks for the comment and Kev......Looking at your own shots, I don't think you need a master-class from us...Great stuff you are turning out. Cheers Mate and thanks.
Steve
My gallery: http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/gallery/117
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nice too see Bob on his 2nd fuji meet looking forward to Slimbridge now...........I hope Bob was using the Aperture control on his HS10 and i expect him to post some bird in flight photos lol
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Lovely account of the day Steve with fabulous photos. Glad you all had a good time and the weather looked beautiful too. Thanks for sharing
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Great blog, Steve, always a pleasure to view yours.
Re my latest (Exbury) blog which is very stuck, I can't upload and save or delete the whole thing, Trying a different browser didn't help. Just because I said 'no peeping'! If I feel really masochistic I'll try starting it all again but the incentive to share is weakening.
Best regards, Steve
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By the cringe, Steve, you certainly manage to get out and about. Another first class effort from you.
Jan.
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Hi Steve what a stunning photoblog as usual and those bird shots brilliant. Ghoosh I have a hell of a lot to learn sorry for the delayed Comments but I started to comment an some other blogs that had been posted had a cup of coffee went back to finish of the rest and the hard drive had Crashed so I have had a new Hard Drive fitted so all is well now. Steve thanks for a brilliant time with you & mike and will speak soon best wishes BoB.
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HI STEVE
Thanks for your coments,and i will try and post some bird shots into the site , im new to this computor lark and cant see where i can reply back to a person other than through a blog like this ,is probably so easy but i cant see how yet , thats why you probably havent seen my reply to about you being in libya i posted it some where ,its probably with my other blogs ha ha , any help would be appreciated, again lovely images here love the edrets superb quality, would love one day to go on a meet up and learn something cheers again
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Just got back from Bridgenorth, Steve so it will take me a while to sort through Conwy and the Bridgenorth photographs, Saying that I have posted a Whitethroat onto Flickr
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Another great blog Steve,sorry i missed it when you posted it but have been very busy lately and when you get behind it's a job to catch up with every thing.Blogs and gallery pictures seem to fly past and i seem to miss a lot.Anyway well done and it was a pleasure looking at your pictures.
Ron.
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This should be turned into a tv show look likely bird spotters it's had me in stitches what a great set of photos and a great blog from canon pmsl love it :)
thats much better than the one i took
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