'Painting images with light, moments framed with love'
   
Avocet - Recurvirostra avosetta
The Avocets' return to Marshside each Spring is always an exciting time. Their return seems to be getting earlier each year; maybe due to the fact that many over-winter in the south of the UK, rather than along the Mediterranean and North Africa. A beautifully slender bird that moves with the grace and agility of a ballerina; yet behind such beauty lies a gutsy, territorial bird, prepared to defend its chosen nest site and eventually its chicks with unparrallelled determination and ferocity. Ive seen them chase away gulls, swans and Grey Heron!
 
'Bright Eyed'
'Afternoon Reflection'
 
'Battle Cry'
 
'In Your Own Time'
 
'Hard To Get'
 
'A Little Patience'
 
'Im All Yours'
 
'Heat Seeking Avocet'
 
'Aerial Attack'
 
'Early Days'
 
'Prospecting'
 
'Seasonal Duties'
 

'Ruby Eyes'

In over three years of photographing Avocet, only this week (19 March 2008) did I discover they have beautiful Ruby red eyes. Hopefully the colour can be seen in the portrait image above :)