Dawn Breaks...............

Diversifying a little!

Taken this morning on Symphonys walk

.........and no-one to kiss!

Amazing what you find in Rugby Town Centre! 25th November 2013.

A chance encounter with a Raptor Rescue organisation in the grounds of Rugby Parish Church, enabled a bit of practice with my "keep with me" Olympus camera! Still work in practice as the settings are so different to my Dslr's!

Draycote Water

Juvenile Shag

Well, the forecast was good and the sun was shining when I set out for a quick bash at Draycote Water. In the time it took me to walk the few yards from the car park to Farborough Bank, the fog, in typical Draycote fashion, descended! Whenever it is foggy near water, I cannot get the film, "The Fog" out of my mind! Today the only boats were fishermen and no murderous pirates!

The Fog

At last, I was able to year tick a Shag, albeit a juvenile which showed well on a bouy near the sailing club.

Juvenile Shag

I seem to be doing well capturing birds eating fish!

Great Crested Grebe

Goosander

Dabchick Lunch @ Draycote Water

I've not been out for a little while due to work and sorting out financial matters. Reports of a Shag at Draycote Water for a few days had me heading over just after lunch and after the mornings rain had abated. I have to say that I always enjoy a good Shag at Draycote, but today was not to be my day! Leaving the car park in sunshine and with blue skies, when I topped Farborough Bank the famous Draycote "breeze" lowered the temperatures and I was grateful for my thermals! Indeed, it was difficult to stand upright and using the tripod was challenging! It is at times like this that my thoughts turn to one of my birding friends, Max Silverman! I do not know why! I walked to Toft Shallows and back but very little was seen. Scope views of distant Goosanders and several Goldeneye but nothing special. My attention was drawn to a Dabchick, fighting a Perch for lunch. At least I managed a few images before noticing the black clouds over Draycote village. Just got back to the car before a very heavy wintry shower hit!

We Will Remember Them...................................................

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

   Loved and were loved, and now we lie

         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

   The torch; be yours to hold it high.

   If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

         In Flanders fields.

John McCrae (1872 - 1918)