Day 341 Slimbridge

Wednesday 7 December

It was a day to wrap up warm as Viv and I had a day out together at the Wildfowl and Wetlands  Trust at Slimbridge.  It's one of our favourite places and the forecast was largely sunny but cold.  With the sun low in the sky at this time of year it was ideal for the two of us to do a bit of bird photography.  As you see I didn't just photograph birds as the back lighting on the teasel and pampas grass made them irresistable subjects too.  I've gone a bit overboard with the teasel shot as it is so amenable to manipulation and I've ended up with a rainbow!  The highlight of the day was seeing the bittern from one of the hides.  It's the first time either of us have seen one.  It wasn't difficult to spot as it was standing motionless right in front of the hide windows. It's always nice to see the wild birds, such as the bittern & greylag geese, although the captive ones are far easier to photograph My other favourite was the flamingo who wasn't having an afternoon nap like the rest of the flock!

We had a great day out but by 2.30 the cold was getting to us, despite our many layers so we returned to the cafe for a late lunch and warming cup of tea.  We took a different scenic route home to the one we'd taken in the morning and were treated to a wonderful pink sunset sky most of the way home.