Getting back in the groove - very slowly!

 I'd be a complete fool if I said anything other than the fact that my physical (& mental) wellbeing was still a cause for concern - on a personal level. Energy levels and lack of appetite might be a hangover from the bout of Covid I suffered prior to the Kefalonia holiday? My anxiety issues are far more complex and certainly have their origins firmly linked to Bev's passing. However, the clock isn't going to stop ticking , it's up to me, coupled with the support I receive, to negotiate a route through this part of my life's journey and, hopefully, emerge the other side an older and wiser guy because of the experience.

I'll start with today's news and work my way back to Bonfire Night. Bruno and I were on the way down to the RMC just prior to 05.45 hrs, two rods fishing before 06. 50 hrs. We had bee greeted by the first frost of the autumn and two Pike succumbed to my offerings. The first just a feisty jack of six, or seven, pounds. The second, however, was a rather battered looking individual tipping the scales at 12 lbs 14 oz, thus my second double of the campaign. Because it was in such a sorry state I didn't bother with any photos choosing, instead, to get it straight back into the water once unhooked.

From Thursday 13th to Sunday 16th I'd been up in the West Midlands stay with my great friends Carrie & Craig. The weather wasn't up to much and we were battered by Storm Claudia overnight on Friday. The break, however, was just what the doctor ordered and we spent our time chatting and laughing, simply enjoying eachothers company. Without consulting the local news sources, Craig suggested that we take a drive across to Wales on Saturday, just to get out of the house for a while. Great idea, or so it seemed at the time? The drive across to the border was fairly straight forward, although there were ominous signs of heavy rainfall provided by numeros roadside puddles and standing water in the adjacent fields. It wasn't, however, until we reached the border that the full extent of the havoc caused by Storm Claudia became apparent. Craig had actually commented on how little traffic was on the roads and now it was becoming clear as to why. 

Just a big puddle when compared to some of the flooded roads we encountered
during our tour.

Taken from the passenger seat in Craig's VW estate. Absolutely mind boggling
areas of agricultural land under water

As a proto-type engineer for Jaguar Land Rover, Craig had no intention of admitting failure and so we continued to negotiate our way across towards Aberystwyth to a spectacular group of reservoirs, in the hills overlooking Gigrin Farm. I did manage to grab a few images, thanks to Craig, although the weather/light conditions were less than favourable.

Although I've been very lax with my blogging since Emily and I attended the firework display in Broadstairs, the requirement to take Bruno out for daily exercise has meant that the camera has seen quite a bit of use whilst out wandering the tracks and footpaths of Grove Ferry/Stodmarsh NNR, Worth Marshes RSPB Res. plus the Little Stour Valley.

Finally, I'd like to end this offering by sharing a couple more images I obtained on the evening of the 5th November. If I don't share them they will get forgotten in an aging file within my cyber storage facility which would be a shame?

Under no circumstance can I claim any credit for the above images. I simply
copied the camera settings used by a Youtuber, based in Australia, job's a good'un!

A Guy Fawkes Pike

 It was a little before 04.30 hrs, this morning, that Bruno and I headed off down to the RMC for our first session in over two weeks. Thankfully, a Pike had read the same script as I had which resulted in my first "double" of the campaign. No monster but, at eleven pounds fourteen ounces, most welcome all the same.

I'd been hoping that the local college would hold a firework display, yet this was negated when a phone call from my  grand-daughter, Emily, asked if I would accompany her to Broadstairs for their event? A quick lesson, via Google, ensured that I took my camera gear in the hope of getting some images to accompany this post. Not an area of the photographic sphere that I have any inspirations to master, the images I managed tonight, were certainly an improvement on anything I've managed previously.

Already had a couple of Perch sessions whilst awaiting conditions on the RMC to improve. Sadly nothing to report, thus far, but am certainly hopeful of some action once the temps start to drop.

November surprise

 Apologies for the recent lack of up-dates, I've not been in a very good place; mentally, of late. Thanks to the input and efforts of so many friends, neighbours and family, things now appear to be on the mend. Bruno and I had a wander around The Little Stour Valley, this morning, and it turned out to be a very enjoyable outing. Blue skies had replaced the early morning wind and rain ensuring that the visibility was about as good as it gets. As we made our way along the regular route, it was obvious that Stonechats were present in decent numbers particularly atop, and around, the game cover which borders many of the fields within the area.

A few Linnets, Chaffinches, Reed Buntings along with the occasional Yellowhammer were also feeding around the game cover, so there was always something to point my binos towards as we slowly made our way around the circuit. Three distant egrets (Cattle ?) were watched flying westwards towards Grove Ferry before I discovered the bird of the morning. A smart male Dartford Warbler popped up, very briefly, on a sunflower allowing me to grab a token image of this addition to my 2025 year list.

Benno and I are Perch fishing down at Sandwich Coarse Fishery in the morning. Not too sure that it will be particularly serious but, instead, a social catch up.

Great Grey Shrike

Bruno and I were out on the flatlands, quite early this morning, in order for me to assess the Pike fishing potential of a couple of small drains. Basically, I was looking for alternative venues should the RMC remain out of sorts? I'm actually toying with the idea of a spot of Perch fishing, but haven't made any plans as yet. So, as we were out in the general area, I decided to take a wander across to Worth RSPB Res to, hopefully, cross paths with the Great Grey Shrike which has been present for a few days now. I parked by Lillyroo's and walked the track across to Hacklinge Pumping Station before following the North Stream (NOT THE ROARING GUTTER) towards Worth village. There were two birders already present, scopes pointed in the direction of the shrike. Always distant, and extremely mobile, I was very grateful to be allowed to look through one of the guys scopes allowing me great views of this impressive visitor.

I used my 1.4x teleconverter with the 100 - 400 mm lens in an attempt at getting an image or two for the blog. At the distances involved, they were never likely to be anything more than record shots? Still, they're better than nothing - I guess.

A gloomy Tuesday

Well I attended this season's first Canterbury/Thanet PAC Regional meeting not having registered a single bite from a Pike, thus far, this season. I was not alone in this predicament, as the majority of the other guys were also struggling. As always, the banter was non stop and a pleasant time was enjoyed by all. We also welcomed Mack, a new face into the gang, which is always a positive step for the region, but also the PAC as a whole. I'd had to leave early as I had left Bruno at home for the very first time and wasn't sure how he'd cope? I shouldn't have worried, as he was fine when I got back so, hopefully I'll be able to stay for the duration of the remaining meetings.

This morning, under grey skies and intermittent drizzle, Bruno and I had a wander around Worth Marshes RSPB Res. Not too much to get excited about, although there was a noticeable passage of Swallows headed north across the reserve and I saw my first Fieldfares of the autumn when two flushed from besides the Pinnock Wall.  Four 1st year Spoonbills flew over before dropping down, briefly, onto the main flood and a small group of Chaffinches, feeding on seed provided by the RSPB, had a couple of Bramblings for company. Always a nice bird to spend time with.

Back down to the RMC at silly o'clock tomorrow morning. Surely my persistence will be rewarded - eventually!

Best laid plans

 Sometimes it doesn't matter how thorough the preparation, if the Pike haven't read the script, the effort involved counts for nothing. This is exactly how my 2025/26 RMC campaign has started. Two sessions, in a prime spot, yet not a murmur from the alarms. There was a third session planned, yet grand-parenting duties had to take priority and the chance was missed. So, if I am to have anything to offer during the "round robin" at the PAC meeting, next Monday night, I will have to catch something earlier in the day. Quite obviously, my time on the banks has not been wasted and it's been great to catch up with some folk who have been just as much a part of the experience as any Pike I might have landed from this historic waterway during the past four seasons.

A smart little Stonechat beside the track from Lilyroo's to Hacklinge pumping station.

Luckily, the daily Bruno walks have allowed me to enjoy some reasonable birding, around the various locations we wander, and the camera has been useful on the odd occassion?  A complete circuit of the Grove Ferry/Stodmarsh NNR site proved to be quite a stiff test for Bruno's little legs, yet he made it back to the van before collapsing on his blanket and immediately falling asleep. Nothing unexpected was encountered during the stroll, although nine Great White Egrets were spread around the margins of the main lake, and seemed like a high number for the site? Anywhere there were cows, then sure enough there were Cattle Egrets to be seen. I made a rough count of fifteen, but that might be well off the mark due to the uneven terrain the animals were grazing.

Sometimes an image is not about the bird but, more pleasing, because it
captures the context of the encounter.

The best image I managed during the week was of a young Hobby, hunting high over Worth RSPB Res. As always, I am indebted to the technology within the Canon set-up which allowed me to record such a decent shot. The pale fringing on the upper wing and rump are not something I've actually picked up on through my binoculars.

This morning, my grand-daughter Emily and I took Bruno for a stroll along the Little Stour before heading across to The Duke of Cumberland PH for cheesy chips with bacon. Absolutely bang on and exactly how a walk with grand-dad should culminate? 

Kefalonia 2025 - a very different experience

This holiday was always going to be a difficult trip, being the first one since Bev's passing. All I can say is that I am indebted, and forever grateful, to my dear friends Leon and Pauline for making the event as wonderful as it turned out to be. An emotional roller-coaster wouldn't be too far from the mark, as I recall the fortnight now sat here at my laptop. We'd all gone out there, this year, with a very simple plan. We'd take each day as it came, thus having no pre-planned itinerary, and this certainly worked for me. I won't dwell upon those occasions where I felt myself in a bit of a mess due to vivid recollections of happier times, yet can't deny that they occurred fairly regularly and if not for Leon and Pauline I would have come home within a few days of our arrival. 

A Common Sandpiper in Argostoli Bay

We stayed at The Aridas Palace apartments, yet it was The Hemmingway Bar, next door, where we based ourselves. Most days would see Leon & Pauline lazing on sun-loungers, thus ensuring they looked like they'd been on holiday, whilst I would take a stroll up onto the high ground beyond the Lourdas resort, armed with my camera kit and binos. We'd rendezvous around 13.00 hrs, grabbing a cold Mythos and a bite to eat before I'd retire for an afternoon siesta, whilst they returned to the beach to continue with their lizard impersonations.

Scarlet Darter

Red-veined Darter

My time outdoors wasn't particularly productive, although still enjoyable, due to the weather conditions. Mid 30's C most days, with blinding sunshine producing stark contrast between the light and shaded areas of the surrounding Olive groves and vegetation. If the birds weren't playing ball, I happily pointed the lenses at whatever else was prepared to pose for me.

The only Hoopoe I saw during this holiday.
Once again the EOS 90d performing its' magic, allowing usable images to be captured at 40m plus!

Will I be going back? There were times during the holiday when I really thought I'd had enough but, never say never, things evolved during our stay and I have a much more positive mindset moving forward. At this point it might be prudent to mention the impact that Zoe and Andrew (a couple we met on the plane coming out) from Cornwall had upon the events of the holiday. Time in their company was always accompanied by smiles and laughter, so thank-you both.

Leon and Pauline without whom this 
holiday simply wouldn't have happened!