Saturday 4 December 2010

Mum's Gone To........

...................West Rainton.

After a fortnight of not using my optics 'in anger', thought I'd take advantage of the NE's population going Xmas shopping and the roads getting a little better and try for the YLG (would-be Lifer) at WR.

Journey was fine, roads clear, but the entrance to WR was gated off as the access road and car park were somewhat unkempt (bit of an understatement!). 

So a short walk in, Shackleton fashion, scope legs instead of ski poles, and at the hide, many gulls.  Those already in attendance had declared that the YLG was not and had never had been there today,but there was a probable Iceland Gull (juvenile). 

Indeed, there was a young white-winger, which, in my opinion and some others there, was the smaller of the two expected (I see BirdGuides has it as Glaucous but I disagree).

And then the best ever Bittern views I have ever had, with TWO exposing themselves frequently (where's Leslie Nielson when you need him?  Or Finbarr Saunders?) on the icy shores to the right of the hide.  Absolute birding perfection, and no other way to decribe it, with 20 minutes of both appearing and then disappearing into the reeds, and so it went on.

Others there will have fabulous stills and video, but for now, here's my contribution:


Monday 29 November 2010

It Cannot Get Any Worse

Snow, snow and more snow.  Day off today and I'm 'cold turkey' and need an optics/feathers fix.

And then the news that Leslie Nielsen has died.  I'll not labour the point as I am sure the news will be giving it good coverage (and if they do not, that's a travesty), but some notable quotes from Airplane and Naked Gun are:

Rumack: You'd better tell the Captain we've got to land as soon as we can. This woman has to be gotten to a hospital.
Elaine Dickinson: A hospital? What is it?
Rumack: It's a big building with patients, but that's not important right now.

Hanging Lady: Nervous?
Ted Striker: Yes.
Hanging Lady: First time?
Ted Striker: No, I've been nervous lots of times.

Rumack: Can you fly this plane, and land it?
Ted Striker: Surely you can't be serious.
Rumack: I am serious... and don't call me Shirley.

And the ABSOLUTE classic of classics here.