Trislander

Duxford Aviation Society's newest airliner acquisition arrived at 10 a.m. today.  The Trislander is a three-engined version of the Britten-Norman Islander twin, built on the Isle of Wight.  They had fixed undercarriages and operated on short hops between islands around Britain, including the Channel Islands, where this one was based.  

Lackford Lakes

On the way back from Norfolk we dropped in to Lackford and were rewarded by seeing the Kingfisher (very close for the top pic) and the new tick of Mediterranean Gull, seen with the Black-Headed Gull it doesn't resemble.

Titchwell

It was a very hot day at the coast, and the new 'concrete bunker' hides were cool, with huge panoramic windows but no ledge to balance a long lens on.  The Avocets were foolish enough to take on Shelduck.  I fixed the 2x converter on for the photos of the Redshank and Spotted Redshank, but reverted to the 1.4x for the Bar-Tailed Godwit pair.  

Cley Next The Sea

We had an early start at Cley to avoid the heat, photographing from the east side of the reserve.  

Sculthorpe

The Hawk and Owl Trust reserve at Sculthorpe was a beautifully set out and managed reserve, but a dead loss for photography today.  Photographers are obviously a problem, as witness the notices asking them not to hog the windows, and certain windows being designated 'for binoculars and telescopes only'.  There were lots of young birds on the feeding tables, and this smart Bullfinch.

Pensthorpe

The first full day of our CCC trip to Norfolk involved a trip to Pensthorpe.  The outlying hides yielded no photo opportunities, but the woodland hide, though very dark, turned up this juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker.  The aviary provided the Corncrake, Bearded Reedling and Avocet chick, while the Oystercatcher and chicks were breeding free.

The Ace Cafe

In Peter's Midget to the Ace Cafe, London, with three other Spridgets.  Gary turned up with Neil's old Sprite, ready for a trip to Le Mans.  The Lancia is an Aurelia B20, apparently a very good car, but the Vauxhall 'Victor' FB is actually a VX 4/90 from 1968 or thereabouts.  

Strumpshaw Fen

Not much variety in birdlife today, but this male Marsh Harrier appeared to have a broken or twisted right leg, which he held in place during flight with the other leg.  I missed the food transfer - it happens so quickly, but looks like a coot or moorhen being carried.

Fuji Lens

I tried out the Fuji X-T2 and 100 - 400mm lens at the Botanic Gardens today.  The juvenile magpies and female (or juvenile) blackbird were easy subjects.

Rabbit

A trip to the Kingston Reserve with Ann.  She got orchids, I got this rabbit.

Sharp-eyed Birds

The club had a group photography session at the English School of Falconry near Bedford.  These portraits are, from the top, Goshawk (m.); Kestrel (m.); Golden Eagle (1 yr old); Eagle Owl; Red Kite; Bald Eagle (1 yr old); Great Grey Owl.