Birdfair Friday

Today was a day of adjustment, of settling in to new (if slightly familiar) surroundings. Having sorted myself out at the cottage, where I was staying once again, with good like-minded friends, this first day of Rutland Water's Birdfair was in full swing. A quick scan in the morning of most of the various trade and art marquees was in order, but lectures were the main order of the day, including Matthew Gordon's Earthflight series insights, David Lindo's launch of the National Bird Vote and, in the evening, Chris Packham's 'The Beautiful and The Damned' lecture; his wildlife passions and his unique self-deprecating-style critique of his photography. Some of these photos i'd seen before, and the story behind them was gripping, even if the photos themselves weren't 'quite up to scratch' (they were great!).