Re: Now there's something you don't see every day

Have had a couple of very good days out and about.  Yesterday I went off to do all three of my butterfly sites.  Being a complete twit I forgot 2 important things..the first being my camera so missed the best female Wheatear photo of the year :( she was standing on a small granite boulder less that 10 foot from me with a sparkling blue sea and pink thrift as her background, looking absolutely gorgeous. grr.  The other thing I forgot was sun lotion ao to say I am a little pink around the edges is a slight understatement.  Lots of butterflies to count so very happy about that.  Managed to dive home and grab the camera before doing the last sight.  Part way around I encountered a new sign 

with luck they are busy in this

There weren't a huge amount of butterflies on this site but the Speckled Woods were showing well 

and a very obliging Damselfly - I think it's a Large Red

Today the girl and I celebrated her passing her driving test with a trip down to the hides at St Ouens Bay.  It was so hot that not much was showing at the first few hides so we moved on to the pond. There was some good Marsh Harrier action and a few babies but I was struggling with the wind direction so we went to move around to the other hide, just as we were leaving a Little Egret came in

When we got around to the other hide there was another having a snooze

and then it started to have a preen and I nearly fell off the bench

We sat a watched it for over an hour, it was not in the slightest bit bothered by the Marshies buzzing about around it.  Beautiful bird :)

As we were leaving I encountered another damsel, still trying to id it though.

Just waiting for the sunset pink to settle down now.

Caroline in Jersey

Beautiful photos, Caroline! The sign tickled me, but how true!! You were so lucky to see the Spoonbill, and while it was hiding it's "spoon" I can well understand you mistaking it for another egret. I'm hopeless at damselflies, so won't even guess.

Just hope you didn't burn too badly, and can sleep tonight.

Lovely photo's Caroline,I hope you are not too sore

Wow Caroline what beautiful photos the Spoonbill looks fantastic.

Thank you, I am waiting to see the girl's photos and then it might have to have it's own thread but then again she may only have photo'd the Marshies.  It is a fabulous bird and so relaxed. The sunburn is slowly soothing down, Aloe Vera is my friend.

Caroline in Jersey

How many Spoonbills do you get on the Island?..is it a resident or just passing through.

Looks wonderful there,Caroline, with all the wild flowers and blossom on the fruit trees. You must have been thrilled to get such good views of the Spoonbill. At first glance it looks quite similar to the Little Egret until it revealed its bill.

I for one would be thrilled to see the Marshies. That's not a bird I get to see in my neck of the woods.

You need aiki for the damselflies.

Hi Caroline

Great photos and what a nice surprise with the Spoonbill I have been lucky enough to see them here on the mainland but not when I have had a camera like you had. The Bee sign is unusual lol, i didnt even know Bees could read.

doggie

How many Spoonbills do you get on the Island?..is it a resident or just passing through.

1 and not a clue...it is a first for me, can only hope that it is prospecting for new accommodation and likes what it sees.

I think it is classified as a rare migrant and short-stay visitor - you know the type, weekend breaks to the country :)

Caroline in Jersey

Lovely photos Caroline and I loved the sign.

Fancy forgetting your camera Caroline, nearly as bad as me taking mine without a card LOL

Brilliant photos and tell your daughter CONGRATULATIONS on passing the driving test.

Great stuff, love the Spoonbill and Marsh Harrier together. The mystery damsel looks like Blue-tailed to me.

Thank you JudiM, she is thrilled to bits and loving the freedom (so am I), glad I am not the only twit :) has to be done once a year just to keep me on my toes.  Don't you dare forget to bring it in September! our little independent camera shop is no more :(

Aiki, thank you for the compliment and the id, the blue-tailed will be a new one for me :)

I am not sure Bees can read either, Shane, but they were busy.

Caroline in Jersey

Great photos, Caroline.  I've just seen my first Spoonbill at Cley last Thursday, but all I could see was its top half through the mist.  That's a cracking shot that you've got.

Brilliant photo's Caroline.

Love the Spoonbill