Broad-Bodied Chaser

Broad-Bodied Chaser
Wing Mosaic (Broad-bodied Chaser): Winner, Nikon In-Frame Competition August 2010

Cormorant

Cormorant
Cormorant: Winner, Attention to Detail, Bird Photographer of the Year 2017

Monday 19 August 2013

One White Swallow Makes a Summer

During a few days in sunny Norfolk, I noticed what seemed to be above average numbers of Swallows and Martins.  The number of successful second broods must be the main reason for this, with many chicks still in the nest and fledging.  I paid a bit more attention than usual to these birds and tried to get some images.

These were two of five that fledged the previous day at Drove Orchards, a shop where the visitors were enthralled as the birds sat around the fruit and veg, waiting to be fed.

 
 
Feeding time!
 
 


At Burnham Deepdale I found this beautiful highly leucistic individual.  Sat among a bunch of Starlings, it had me stumped for a while until I got a little closer. 



The only visible colouring on the bird was where it had retained some of the red throat.



I later briefly saw it hunting with other Swallows, before a Hobby arrived and scattered the hundreds of birds. Although distant, it was quite spectacular in flight against a dark sky.



At Cley, more demanding youngsters!