Misty days on the Solway.
. . . grey clouds and banks of mist coming in from the Scottish side of the Solway. I said to Judith, “It must be raining over there, but not a drop here – typical!”
I sat on my couch gazing out onto the estuary in silent despair. Suddenly my reverie was shattered. Little Egrets everywhere, turning round, flying to and fro – right in the middle of my picture window – and they seemed to disturb all the other birds: crows and the like flying with them.
So, I called to Judith, “Get your new camera – it’s all happening out here! White Egrets against a grey sky – that’ll be a test for your camera and lens!”
She said, “I’m in the middle of preparing dinner – it’s a risotto!” Now that pulled me up sharp – my favourite! But bravely I said, “They never come over here – the Egrets!”. . . I sacrificed myself and my favourite meal in the line of duty.
Judith, by now, had gathered up her equipment and was heading to a gorse ‘hide’, to get a nearer view. She came back with some excellent shots of them landing further along the saltmarsh and then flying into the Viaduct corner – a complete vindication of our faith in Canon technology.
. . . and I had martyred myself by having dinner an hour late!
Photos taken from half a mile away.
Little Egrets had landed on a ridge further down the saltmarsh
Picked up four flying east.
Two more joined them.
They eventually settled on the saltmarsh west of the Viaduct.
. . . and proceeded to feed in the creeks there.