A visit to Rye Meads

Rye Meads

Check out my article and pictures from my visit to Rye Meads on Bank Holiday Monday (27/08/2012): 

http://shutterplanet.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/a-visit-to-rye-meads.html 

This is a nice and secluded RSPB reserve north of London and well connected by rail and roads. Rye meads is very close to Rye House station (approximately 0.5km) and has a good number of parking bays. Parking is free for the RSPB members but is £2 for non-members.

I've been to this reserve on a few occasions and on each time there is so much to see. It is truly a photographer's delight to visit here. The seasonal changes in the greenery also adds good background to the birds or animals that are photographed.

The staff at the reception is very friendly and provide enough information for any newcomers interested in visiting the reserve. It is also a good place for children to observe and learn from the various birds and insects in the reserve.

Today was a cloudy day mixed with intermittent showers. Luckily there are adequate hides to escape the quick shower. From photographic perspective it was a huge challenge to wrestle with the settings to gain adequate exposure to each shot.

I've never been disappointed in spotting some of the attractive species. Here are some of them.

A Kingfisher with its prey from a near-by stream.

There are plenty of water birds too. Today there were herons and little egrets that were fighting in a nearby reservoir for their territory. It was quite interesting to photograph them.

A Little Egret

A Kingfisher taking a deep breath before its next flight

Plenty of opportunities for Macro photography

Little egret: Black long legs with yellow feet

Little Egret taking off

Little Egret if full flight

Since it was a rainy day I could not stay for long nor did I take pictures of small birds. More of them next time.