Another day on The Levels

I've noticed that many of my whole-day photographic outings recently have been to the Somerset Levels.  There is a reason.  The best breaks in the unsettled weather we've been having of late seem to have favoured that area.  Again, there's always a chance of spotting our new Great Egret chicks – and, just possibly, the Common Crane.

This day started, like many others, at Noah's Hide on Shapwick Heath.  It affords a great view and the light is in the right direction, i.e. not in your face.  It is shaded from direct sunshine by its edge-of-woodland setting and so it doesn't get hot.  It does frequently get cold.  (I'd rather wrap up than roast.)

The near-by hide overlooking Meare Heath sometimes provides rare glimpses of Otter and occasional sightings of Marsh Harrier.  Bittern have been known to show very close.  However, most time spent there can be like watching paint dry.

Mute Swan in the early light

... and a little later in the morning

This Lesser Black-backed Gull flew past leisurely.  I was able to keep it fairly steadily in the frame, so here's the whole sequence at 8fps.

When it landed, it seemed to think that its mate should come and join it.

Completely detached from all this rowdy behaviour, a young Coot foraged around the edge of the reed-bed.

Before I left, I captured this image.  See if you identify the bird (answer later).

Mystery bird

After some lunch at the Avalon Marshes Centre, I went to RSPB Greylake.  It's always worth looking by, even at the quiet times of the day.  You never know what might present itself.

I caught up with the family of Mute Swan that I had photographed on the boardwalk earlier this year.

Dad

I wonder if it tickles

Dad did seem to be finding paternal oversight rather soporific!  (I'm allowed to use this word because it's used in The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter.)

When I was frustrated in my attempt to get a decent shot of this Kestrel, I thought it time to go home.

There's a postscript:

It's the postbox outside the Post Office in Sherborne, Dorset.  It's been painted gold to honour Peter Wilson of Glanvilles Wootton, near Sherborne.  He won gold in the 2012 Olympics in the 'Double Trap' event (clay-pigeon shooting to you and me).

I took the picture on my mobile phone and removed a blue colour-cast in PS Elements.

The mystery bird?  It's a Grey Heron.