Fly Past

I was dithering today wondering if the helicopters on exercise over Spadeadam deserved my photographic attentions, I did once long ago see an exercise where the helicopters were firing flares and having flares fired back at them.
Harmless but very dramatic, however there didn't seem to be enough coming and going around in circles for that sort of exercise so I opted for a fly past of a different ilk.
Off to Mawbury on the Solway Coast again, numbers of waders are falling fast as the birds move off into their summer breeding grounds so this was probably my last chance of photographing them in numbers.
I walked down the dunes towards Allonby and then tried heading back north and sneaking up on the birds.
Ha! It was like an elephant trying to sneak up on a mouse, I don't have knees that bend anymore so no SAS type moves on elbows and knees.
I did however sit on the shingle and shuffle as elegantly as possible closer to the flock.
The Curlews were on point duty and they take no prisoners, taking to the air with much noise to alert all the other birds that I was there.
My plan had been to sit in one place and then let the tide bring the birds closer but while the tide came closer the birds did not, they simply moved further north.
Still I can think of far worse ways to spend a warm bright Thursday afternoon.
I found my Jack Pyke camoflague hat that I must have lost on Sunday when I was last there, amazing it hadn't blown away in the wind and I hadn't missed it.
Yes, it will be washed in case passing dogs left their mark.
Three double circuits of the beach was enough for me, carrying my heavy tripod and lens, the further you go the heavier it gets.
So Here are the results of todays outing:

Oystercatchers and a Knot enjoying a promenade in the surf.

Unfortunately litter is a problem on beaches but I left it in the picture to show how tiny these birds are

Fly past of Curlew, while they wouldn't let me get close while they were on the ground they did fly quite close for an action shot.

Fly past of Knot and Godwits

Due to have a very minor op tomorrow, but it will probably involve stitches so I won't be carrying the heavy gear for a day or so, hoping to get out for some sunrise shots over the weekend so watch this space.

Oystercatchers

You know that saying 'if at first you don't succeed'?
I try, goodness only knows I try, so it was back to Mawbury in search of Oystercatchers.
High tide was projected at 2pm and the early morning fog was clearing beautifully as I drove from Gilsland.
It was 12.15 when I arrived at Mawbury garden centre with a beautiful blue sky and just wisps of fog, rapidly clearing - or so I thought.
Decided to stop for coffee and scone as I had plenty of time (both excellent by the way) and when I came out it was like pea soup.
Thinking it would go as quickly as it came, I optomistically set off for the beach carrying my biggest lens and heavy tripod.
And wouldn't you just know it, there were hundreds of Oystercatchers but the fog just kept on rolling in with the high tide.
I got some pictures and I will admit as I stood there thinking I m,ust be mad, droplets of water running off my hair and specs misting up, when just a mile inland it was a beautiful sunny day.
No amount of pleading, cajouling and threatening the weather gods changed things, so I just carried on snapping.
It'll be a while before the high tides are at useful times of the day, but I will try again.

One man and his dog (Trev and Chloe) on foggy Mawbury beach

The flock of Oystercatchers, there were masses of them and a big flock of Curlew hidden in the mist behind them that I didn't even see until I enlarged the photographs on my computer screen

My favourite shot of the day, because of the fog the camera was having trouble focusing,

 fortunately it managed for this shot. (click on the picture to see a larger version)

It's a great coast for birds and well worth the hours drive from Gilsland, however the tide goes out a mile I've been told so it's best to check the tide tables and go when there's a high tide.

There are various parking spots along the roadside dunes and toilets at the garden centre, or in Silloth.