Queenfisher

I arrived at John Lewis Welwyn at 9:30 am. I couldn't believe it, there were so many places in the car park. I've been shopping here for years and this time of year one would expect to queue for ages to get parked. The store was very quiet. I had a list of things I wanted to purchase but left with just a loo brush. :(

I called at Tewinbury hide on the way home. As I parked I crossed my fingers and wished for a kingfisher. Last time I visited it the hide was in a poor state of repair. Someone has set fire to it and it is boarded up. :( I stood by the railings in the sunshine. A kingfisher flashed through but there was no way that I could capture it. Nice to see a little grebe fishing.

The kingfisher returned and perched on a twiggy bush opposite me but quite a way away. It is so much more satisfying capturing these amazing birds like this rather than on a strategically placed stick from a hide. My bird is a female, I know this as she has 'lipstick' on the lower part of her beak.

I've included a kestrel in extras, together with an image of Jack heron launching that I shot through the hedge on my return.