A Visit to RSPB Minsmere

Whow what a lovely day we have had here in Suffolk, dispite a strong NW wind the sun shone and this made for an enjoyable few hours at the RSPB flagship reserve at Minsmere.

Matt and I were hoping to photograph some of the many stone-chats that had been seen on the reserve during the past few days, I'm sorry to say this was not possible as there were so many off the red & blue waterproof coat brigade with their children and dogs...I don't know why these people come along to a reserve as they made so much noise all the birds decided to hide deep within the bushes (s0 much for humans observing the country-code).....

Putting that to one side we both enjoyed our stroll around Minsmere especially myself as I have not been that well during the past week, I had the unfortunate shock of having to adjust my lifestyle yet again has I had a very staunch warning from my GP following last Sundays kidney problems. It seems as this was caused by my Type2 Diabetes not being controlled and I had not been sticking to my diet....naughty naughty me...I am now taking this very serious as I was told I was heading in the right direction for kidney failure....now that's something I do not want as that would put an end to my nature jollies...

Despite not getting any decent shots of birds Matt and I did spend time on the receding shingle bank & shore line as the light on the crashing waves was very good for photography...

I must say Matt got so engrossed with photographing the waves whilst standing about two feet from the water line with his trusted Nikon and 500mm lens attached to his tripod he forgot to keep an eye out for any large waves...yes you have guessed what happened a large wave crashed on the shingle, the next thing I saw was Matt dancing in the sea trying not to get wet...oh well he did try but he got wet right up-to his crotch....mind you he was very lucky the Nikon and tripod stayed still and no damage was done....well only his pride was dented....

After this we decided to make our way back to the visitor centre for a hot coffee...well I had a coffee but Matt came out with a big chunk of peanut chocolate cake...he's starting his diet tomorrow...I've heard that before as well...

If you wish to visit RSPB Minsmere there is a £5 entry fee for non members also worth a visit is the National Trust Heath at Dunwich which is just a few miles along the coast, here you may get a glimpse of the large herd of Red Deer that frequent the heath....

A visit to Captains Wood Suffolk

Well it's been a month since I last placed a post on this blog, this was because I have not been very well and have not been able to visit any reserves.

So today I was feeling reasonably OK and Matt picked me up and we went of to Captain's Wood in Suffolk for details of this wood please check out the Suffolk Wildlife Trusts website...We were hoping to see some of the many Red Deer that frequent this beautiful ancient woods but alas non were to be seen amongst the Oak and Silver Birches...

However there were a wide range of fungi to photograph, and to photograph these takes a good deal of patience as it's just not having a problem with getting down to their level that causes problems, it's the fact that you have to do so much tidying up around the actual fungi as there is usually odd bit's of leaves, brambles, nettles around the fungi so these have to be removed to get a good shot.

Then after taking the shot it's them time for Matt to help me up from the ground as my back has just about locked up...also having a pint of Aspels cider with our lunch didn't help matters...

As you can imagine this ancient wood was starting to change with the autumn colours now starting to show and with the low sitting sun pushing lovely rays of light in through the branches there was a very enjoyable atmosphere being created with grey squirrels running along the forest floor and the autumnal smells of rotting leaves and bracken it was a very pleasant couple of hours and to think in a few months time the whole woods will have taken on a different appearance...then it will be a different atmosphere all together with different subject matter to photograph....