Thursday 31 October 2013

Gronant - Grey Phalarope

A long scary Halloween session was spent up to my knees in water in a reed bed! Unlike previous Grey Phalarope encounters, this was hard work with an awkward bird........

It was tucked up in the eastern corner of the pool, against the far reed-bed so the only way to get vaguely close was to go walk in - so glad I had put my wellies on!!




The 'Spinner' was not the least bit concerned and spent the next few hours constantly spinning around dipping for countless numbers of tiny insects. I never saw anything of any size get caught - it must be a hard life feasting on such meagre offerings!

A lot of 'samey' images were produced with nothing to touch the memorable Crosby Grey Phalarope of a few years ago but it's always a nice bird to see / photograph. It's sometime easier to dump the best here than agonise for too long, so here are a few to wade through!








Video would best to capture the spinning/ feeding antics! The odd wave gave a bit of interest with the bird crashing through.....





My favourite of this section....



A wingflap and brief hover......



There was one moment when disturbed by a Gull, a flight shot emerged too :-)


And I'll leave it there.......