Driving up to Fly Flatts late afternoon the sky was bright and sunny looking to the east but the dark black clouds could be seen to the west over my destination.
On arrival at 1500 hrs the whole area was as dark as night with the setting sun way over to the west throwing everything into silhouette. A strong S > 5 was blowing with light rain.
The south wind that has been blowing several days now is the worst conditions for Fly Flatts with the wind blowing straight across the length of the water giving no shelter for the birds on either bank, hence no birds tonight.
Only 4 Mallard on the water which soon left for Dean Head leaving empty shorelines and empty skies. A single Kestrel made a brief appearance whilst 2 Reed Buntings came off the south shoreline and dropped into the heather on the edge of the moor hardly identifiable in the conditions. And still 6 weeks to the shortest day.
Just a word of advice for photographers to finish on. If your camera goes faulty, or as in my case you knock it over on the tripod, I strongly advise you not to take it to Janet Greens, Halifax for repair. I was told it was 4 weeks turn over to send it away, get it repaired , and get it back.
After a good two months and a lot of shouting , plus a bill for £330 I finally got my Canon 7d Mk 2 back on Friday and after using it over the weekend I have found several faults on it making it unusable so tomorrow its going back for probably another long stay. Oh well, back to the 7d Mk 1 .
BS
WEST YORKSHIRE BIRDING. BRIAN SUMNER. I am based at Queensbury and bird a patch within a 10 mile range of home incorporating 16 stretches of water, several plantations, a belt of woodland, stretches of river and canal and good areas of moorland. I specialize in upland birds, reservoir and sky watching. My local patch is Fly Flatts reservoir. Any reports can be sent by text or call to 07771 705024 or see profile for e mail address. All images on this blog are copyright.(2024).