White Egret paddling in Rainham Marshes

On Monday, at the same time I saw the Redshanks (photos in another of my posts), I was also excited to see a White Egret at Rainham Marshes.  It was in the water and quite a long way from where I was standing in the hide, but it shows up better than I expected when I took the photograph.

White Egret wading at Rainham Marshes

It was enjoying a paddle in the cold windy weather.  I love the long white feather sticking out from the back of it's head.

White Egret having a paddle

A swan was standing nearby and, in the photograph below, you can see how it dwarfs the Egret.  I think it must be a Little Egret.

Large Mute swan and tiny White Egret

When the Egret took flight, I realised that there must have been another one nearby as there are two of them in my photograph.  Another first for me - two birds in flight that are actually in my photo, even though neither of them are very clear.

White Egrets in flight

One of the Egrets landed further away, though it could still be seen through the window of the hide.

White Egret in the distance

What gorgeous water birds.

Redshanks at Rainham Marshes

Yesterday I went with a couple of friends to Rainham Marshes, an RSPB nature reserve in Essex. It was cold and very windy.

At the far end of the reserve, there is a large hide with big windows. I managed to warm up while in there - more from the excitement from what I saw through the windows rather than from being away from the wind.  Redshanks!  I love Redshanks.

The first one I saw was standing on the bank among the reeds at the far side of the water.

Redshank standing among the reeds

A couple of them were chirping away and flying around in front of us. One landed on a post that was not far away from the window. It must have known that I wanted to see it because it was looking the other way and presented me with it's back view.

Redshank looking at the reeds

 Then it decided to be very well behaved and turned round, so that I could see it's lovely face.

Redshank on a post

Below is my abysmal attempt at photographing a Redshank in flight!  Well, at least it is in the photograph, which is a first for me.

Redshank in flight