Swallows at Sunset, Lake Ellesmere/Te Waihora

What a gorgeous sunset tonight down on the lake. So peaceful and still, with plenty of swallows skimming the water's surface. I waited as I framed this shot for one of them to whizz through the image, and luckily a couple here agreed on a starring role.

As I walked back to the car, the shotguns started to ring out in the half light. Duck shooting season opened last weekend, and shooters are out on the lake at dawn and dusk hoping to fill their bags.

As I made it back through the gloom, I made sure that my red torchlight marked me out that I was not fair game...