Birding at St Margaret's this morning was cold. The highlight was a sea watch, when having missed two Bonxies (Great Skuas) I did see on fairly close Manx Shearwater. This afternoon, hoping to see some migrants I took another trip to the Restharrow Scrape at Sandwich. This has the advantage of being a short walk and providing shelter in the hide from the inclement weather.
As I was sitting watching much the same as earlier in the week it occurred to me that it was both raining and the sun was shining and that if there was a rainbow I needed to get out of the hide to see it. I was really glad that I did. It was the brightest rainbow I think I've seen. Judging by the size of the houses it ended in, the owners had found there pots of gold some time ago!
At the right hand end the fainter, second rainbow was just visible.
Just for fun I tried taking two pictures that I hoped I could join together. I'm sure I can be done much better than this but it does give some idea of the complete bow.
On the scrape I was please to see one of my favourite ducks quite close to the hide. I really like the subtle markings of the Gadwall. This picture is a bit strange as it makes the Gadwall look much larger than the Shoveler, when there really is little in it. I reminded my of the paper Peter Grant wrote on size perspective.
I of course couldn't resist more attempts at getting the perfect picture of a Lapwing flying. They spend so much time doing their aerobatic displays it really is hard not to keep pressing the shutter. Still no Little Ringed Plovers, Garganey or Yellow Wagtails, hopefully they will turn up soon.
On my way back passed the golf course, I noticed this part of a very broad rainbow way out to sea. It was really just a small rainbow column, perhaps due to a squall in the middle of the Channel.
1 comment:
I, too, love the subtle markings of the Gadwall. I was just watching that bird here in Oregon this morning.
Laura
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