Monday 1 August 2011

Arundel WWT.

Following on from my previous post I was delighted to find that the wheelchair, after being broken down, actually fitted into the boot of my car with just an inch or so to spare! So the next question to Mum and Dad was ... "Where do you want to go?" Typically the answer was ... "We don't mind ... it's totally up to you!"
So an hour later we arrived at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Arundel. After a very pleasant lunch at The Waters Edge Cafe we started on our very leisurely stroll around this fabulous reserve looking at species from all around the world.

It wasn't long before Dad was questioning me as to names of all the 'collection' species ... I'm not sure I got them all correct but that didn't seem to matter as both my parents were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Dad has always had a love for wild flowers and the reserve was awash with colour so we had fun trying to identify everthing we could find. It wasn't long before Dad had very close encounters with the Nene (Hawaiian Goose) who obviously wasn't too impressed that he had no free handout!
 
Other reasonably close encounters were with Mute Swan, Magpie Goose and three young Trumpeter Swans born a little earlier this year. 

Adult Trumpeter Swan.

A visit to the Sand Martin Hide produced distant views of a Common Sandpiper and a family group of four Kingfishers ... the latter was definitely a big plus sighting through the bins for my parents. Regretfully only one of the many Mallard and Black-headed Gulls were close enough for any photos. 

Our final stop was the Iceland Lake where we watched Long-tailed Ducks and Common Scoters before making our way back to the cafe for a very welcome cup of tea and some delicious cakes. All in all a wonderful day watching birds from around the globe without having to fly anywhere.  FAB.

19 comments:

  1. How wonderful! An outing for the parents, photo ops for you, and, most importantly, time together. :) I loved those times with my parents.

    I just came across pictures I took with my Canon A-1 (film camera) a couple of years before my Dad died. We were feeding the ducks at Thomas More College, one of the places where I professed accounting. Wonderful memories with Dad.

    Very best,
    Lois

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  2. HI Frank...What a splendid time it appears you all had on your outing!! Good time to get some nice photo to : }!

    How great that you still have your parents ...lost both my parents when hey where only in there mid seventies!!
    Have a great week ...Grace

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  3. i'm so glad you had a great outing! loved the photo of your dad being glared at by the nene! too cute!

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  4. Sounds like you had a great day out Frank.

    I love to see the birds these places have in their 'collections'. Probably the only chance I'd get to see some of the worlds wonderful birds.

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  5. Hi Frank,

    Pleased to hear your outing was a success. I know from experience how tiring these can be but know Mum and Dad are grateful for your caring and kindness.

    Some lovely images.....I love the one of your father, so sweet...

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  6. Frank, that's wonderful! You saw so many neat and varied species!! Very nice photos too. Love the Swans.

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  7. What a wonderful way to spend the day with your folks. I love the shot of the bird visiting your Dad :)

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  8. Thats a shame Frank you must have driven straight past me. I was doing a craft fair in Norfolk House just outside the castle gate. You could have popped in for a cuppa.

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  9. What a wonderful time you all had! I love your collages!

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  10. Enjoyed your post, Frank. Reminded me of the time I rented a wheelchair and took my mother out to the botanical garden in Hamburg. Lovely series of photos!

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  11. Looks like you had a great day out Frank,superb images as always.
    john.

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  12. A wonderful post Frank I am so pleased the weather stayed fine for your trip.
    I lost my Dad when I was only 15 (he was 44) exactly 40 years ago tomorrow (3rd) but I still have my wonderful Mum who still drives herself around at aged 80.
    I try to stay off the road when she does...

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  13. Hi Lois. Always great to add good times to the memory book.

    Hi Grace. As the years pass I wonder how many more there will be ... so enjoy their company while I can.

    Hi Theresa. He enjoyed the face off as well!

    Hi Keith. Super location to spot all those exotic species.

    Hi Cheryl. Fortunately I have plenty of patience even if they can be exasperating at times!

    Thank you Mona. Saw far more than I photographed.

    Hi Mike. If I'd known that you would have been invaded!!

    Thanks Karen.

    Hi Hilke. Hopefully there will be more excursions like this in the future.

    Cheers John.

    Cheers Andrew. Independence is a wonderful thing.

    Thanks Tammy.

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  14. What a wonderful combination, Frank--a good day in the outdoors with your parents and a lot of superb photographs.

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  15. Thanks Willard. It's always fun to see species I wouldn't normally see in the wild here and the parents definitely enjoyed the experience.

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  16. So many wonderful photos! What a marvelous family outing!

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  17. @ bailey-road.com. Thanks Pat.

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  18. Thanks for sharing this Frank. It's been years since I last visited Arundel but I still remember it as a fantastic place.

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  19. Cheers Adam. Like all the WWT reserves there is always plenty to interest most visitors.

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I hope you enjoyed your visit and I always appreciate your comments and feedback.

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