On 2nd August we headed off to the North Norfolk Coast for an extended long weekend to celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary. Our hotel at Kelling had recently been refurbished and provided excellent accommodation, superb meals and was, of course, ideally situated to enable us to do some very relaxed birding nearby at Cley Marshes and a few other locations a bit further along the coast.
I won't bore you with a list of species seen during our four days away but here is is just a taster of some of the birds we enjoyed watching.
Black-tailed Godwit in its glorious rusty-orange breeding plumage.
Shelduck family with 15 ducklings.
One of the many highlights at Cley Marshes was watching the Marsh Harriers quartering the reed beds, occasionally putting any waders into the air and often being mobbed by one of the Black-headed Gulls.
Marsh Harrier.
At Titchwell Marsh one of the older hides enabled us to get closer views of some species, including Northern Lapwing and many of the juvenile Avocets plus distant views of Dunlin, Ruff, Knot, Common Snipe and 3 Spoonbills.
Northern Lapwing.
Avocets (Adult keeping a watchful eye on a juvenile feeding).
Juvenile Avocet.
On the day of our Anniversary I booked a place on one of the boat trips from Morston Quay so we could view the Grey and Common Seals out on Blakeney Point with the added bonus of watching Common, Sandwich and Little Terns fishing fairly close to the boat.
Lazy Seals on Blakeney Point.
I will be sharing a few more images from this very enjoyable and relaxing trip in some future posts. FAB.
Linking to WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.
I love the godwit and to see the seals too; what a treat Frank
ReplyDeleteWonderful series of images, Frank! The Lapwing has always been a favorite of mine and I love the cute Shelduck family. The seals are cute, great shots!
ReplyDeleteNice photos, interesting to study!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots.. Regards..
ReplyDeleteReally enjoy the Wild Bird Wed. meme for the chance to see so many different varieties of birds that wouldn't observe in my part of the world. You've shared some very special breeds. Impossible to pick a favorite, although I do admire the plumage on the godwit.
ReplyDeleteso very cool! love the shelduck and the lapwing!
ReplyDeleteThose ducklings make for a large family to watch over. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots Frank and congrats on your 40th Anniversary!
What gorgeous birds! I love the details of the feather tufts that you caught on the lapwig.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Frank, to you and your wife. Looks like you had a great trip.
ReplyDeleteLoving the birds beasts and scenery... And that'd be my idea of a perfect way to celebrate a milestone like that. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteYour "taster" of the birds makes me wish for more. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrific place to celebrate your anniversary! Great shots, love the Northern Lapwing.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you both on your anniversary Frank, and what better place to relax and celebrate it in? I hope the celebrations didn't blur the view to much?...[;o)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds and the seals are adorable.
ReplyDeleteHi frank Congratulation on your 40th wedding Anniversary. Great shots and a wonderful selection of birds seen.
ReplyDeleteGreat series!! Love the seals. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteNice set of pictures!
ReplyDeleteA while ago my wife and I were sat having a glass of wine, when she said - "Is it out wedding anniversary?" we looked at the paperwork and it was ten years to the hour! Its the only time we have remembered!
Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW.
Stewart M - Melbourne
That is a quite a family of Shelduck Frank.
ReplyDeleteWow! FAB, you had a fabulous trip, and I loved seeing the birds you saw! Our Avocets have rust, black and white on them. A little different I think from what you saw.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful captures of the birds and the seals. Congratulations to the Shelducks for managing such a large brood!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic way to celebrate your anniversary.
ReplyDelete40 years? Congratulations.
Great birdwatching weekend for you. Congratulations on your 40 years. Love the Shelduck babies.
ReplyDeleteGreat images Frank, the Marsh Harrier is a beauty.
ReplyDeleteHappy 40 th Anniversary. We are heading toward 44 in December...time flies;) I enjoyed all of your images, but those Lapwings are always such a treat to me~
ReplyDeletequite the trip!
ReplyDeleteHappy 40th! The lapwings have such subtle iridescent colors.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from, RW & SK