An autumn visit to RSPB Conwy had been on the cards for a while, further prompted by two things, I'm still a kid with a new toy with the camera, and the other, prompted by the first, a tea room in Llanrwst where the foliage around the cottage turns red for autumn, was due for photographing, with my latest acquisition....
Oh, and a third thing, a recent purchase of two ND filters, I needed to try those out.....
The sunrise was colourful, though a little dark, but I wasn't going to wait any longer.
After a slow drive up, via the A5, because the roadworks on the A55 were causing problems, I finally arrived, but with a rst stop on the way.
Sadly, as I stretched my legs around the lay-by, I spotted one sad looking bat. Close inspection, it was cold to touch and no sign of breathing, possibly a road victim, who knows.
Still, on to Llanrwst, and Tu Hwnt Ir Bont, is expected, in full autumnal bloom.
Anyway, the reserve, was a little quite from the bird life perspective, but then the tide was out, and the birds tend to be out with the tide, but that still didn't detract from the day, there's always something to see, and the dragons were more than active enough.
The tide was due to reach high tide around 15:00, which would mean soon after lunchtime, the birds would flock back to the reserve.
It was also the second of two Heritage Weekends, and the reserve, as always out to engage with the public, did their bit, so it was good to help people not familiar with reserves, see what was happening at the time.
Less of the waffle, and more of the photos, of which I took 400+ (one of the pitfalls of multi shots to get that one action shot), but managed to whittle that down to around 80. No, I'm not going to bore you with 80 photos, just a selection.
The next two, are two views I never tire of, Conwy Castle with Conwy Mountain (a mere hill at 244 mtrs asl) and Alltwen just behind it, then looking down the Conwy Valley to Moel Eilio and Pen Llithrig y Wrach.
Now for the wildlife.
I think these were a pair of knots, there had been reports of them around the Carneddau Hide.
Juvenile mallard drake?
As I said, the dragons, red darters, were active, mating and laying eggs, especially as it was very warm and sunny.
The blackberries were nice and ripe!
Probably my best photos of the day, were a couple of little grebes just at the right point from the Vadre Screen.
Yes, these were the main reason for the 400+ photos, but worth the effort.
Little Grebe with lunch
But it was soon gone....
Of course, if you've a hungry tummy, you need to find more food....
Bottoms up!
Going
GONE!
Definitely gone!
Back with more lunch!
A flock of greylag geese flew in.
A bar tailed godwit feeding....
As the greylag were paddling past, I spotted some redshank, and I think among the redshank were some knots. But, something spooked the redshank...
And they took flight....
There were plenty of little egrets around, once the tide had come in...
But this one didn't stay long, I guess there wasn't any food for it....
And finally, a UFO shaped cloud over the River Conwy!
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
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Nige Flickr
Unknown said:A nice set of scenics and birds. Little Grebes fishing are always a pleasure to watch and great to catch on camera with a fish
Thanks Nige, everything was just perfect.
I was in danger of getting carried away (metaphorically ) taking so many photos, but the results were worth it.
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Regards, Hazel
KizzyW said:Did you see any Avocets? When I was there in August, I spotted 1 or 2, so I was wondering if they were still there! Great photos by the way!
Sadly no I didn't.
I'm curious, because I'd made three visits there in August, when where you there and where did you see them?
Unknown said:Super set of photos Mike and love the L.Egret shots especially; who can resist a little grebe either !
Thanks Hazy.
The little egrets always manage to be photogenic, even on the dullest of days.
Digressing slightly, I found out that little egrets shake a foot on he bed of the pond/pool/lake to disturb small creatures so they can feed. I've only seen it a couple of times and thought the two I'd seen had damaged legs.
But not so.
Every day is a school day.
PimperneBloke said:Good varied set Mike, looks a good day :o)
It was PB and thank you.
The only bad day I've ever had, was one day I had to leave early. The activity was fine, the weather was fine, the camera was fine, the people around me were fine.
It was the fact I had to leave early that was the upsetting part....
Mrs PR dictated I had to collect her and the shopping.....
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream