Kingfisher video

A short video of a Kingfisher perched in front of Bishop's Hide at Cley

The ISS and Jupiter

Slightly dodgy photo (I was just on my way to a band practice!) of the ISS sliding past Jupiter last night: it was almost exactly the same magnitude, so a brilliant sight. It was preceeded by a faint satellite slightly ahead and above: could this have been the infamous 'lost toolbag'?

The International Space Station

Here are the visible passes by the ISS for the next few nights: most are conveniently just after sunset...

Waxwings in New Costessey

A day for colourful birds! An early start at Cley provided the team with good views of a couple of Kingfishers: one in front of Bishop's Hide, the other from East Bank. Little else to see, but after a good walk round and the usual cheese scones, we headed south to Norwich.

Parking sensibly, we headed for Jerningham Road where we joined a small gallery enjoying a flock of 80+ somewhat flighty Waxwings. (It wasn't the well-behaved 'toggers' that made the birds nervous, but rather their presence by a busy park with dog-walkers and joggers)

Beaver Moon

The clouds opened in time to see (and photograph!) tonight's 'Beaver Moon': so called because in Native American culture tonight is when Beavers retire to their lodges for the Winter. Hmmm... Still: great to see!

Some serious sunspots!

The Sun was really spotty this morning: although mot necessarily an indicator of a forthcoming CME, there has to be a fair chance that we might see more aurora activity next week!

The Moon and Jupiter - again!

The Moon crept up on Jupiter again last night: by tonight it will have gone past and moved eastwards... Luckily there were a few gaps in the cloud!

Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson: a wonderful anniversary present

It was Linda and my 29th wedding anniversary at the weekend (hence, in some part, our London trip!) Before we left, we exchanged presents: I gave Linda a scandinavian silver brooch in the form of Noah's Ark. Linda's present to me fulfilled a long-held wish to add a piece of woodcarving by Yorkshire craftsman Robert Thompson to my 'cabinet of curiosities'. He is, you may well know, famous for 'signing' his output with a small, carved mouse: Linda's present to me features a really beautiful example.

Beautiful Moon...

Last night's sky was crystal clear, so that even a 300mm lens revealed great detail on the waxing gibbous Moon

Shorelarks at Holkham (and other goodies!)

Brian and I made an early start at Cley (no Norman today) and were in Bishop's Hide in time to catch the ever-present Long-billed Dowitcher, on the deck and in flight.

A move to Holkham and a trudge out to the roped off area eventually gave us great views of a flock of a dozen or so Shorelarks, as well as a few Snow Buntings. A look at the sea added lots of Common Scoter and a couple of Red-breasted Mergansers, followed by coffee and sandwiches at the excellent cafe.

Back to Cley for a brief seawatch: Red-throated Diver and female Scoter close in were nice (thanks to Brian Tubby for the photos!) while nine Eider halfway to Holland were less photogenic!

Sight-seeing in London!

While down in London to visit the Titanosaur, Linda and I walked 18 miles in two days, taking in most of the tourist sites north of the Thames! These included the National Portrait Gallery, Trafalgar Square, Tate Modern, The Globe, The Monument, Tower of London and all the famous skyscrapers!