Norfolk waders

In late August myself and a friend decided on a trip to north Norfolk to photograph some wader species. We decided on Titchwell RSPB reserve as our focus for the day as this would give us the options of both beach and lagoon habitat. Our first session of the day was with the enigmatic Sanderling (Calidris alba), which were running up and down the beach on the receding tideline. these are one of my favourite photographic subjects but on this occasion they proved a little frustrating. I eventually targeted a moulting adult and after a period of lying flat on my belly on the tide edge (yes, a very sandy and very wet experience!) it became confident enough to approach within suitable distance. 

After a few hours on the beach with a low success rate and sand, well everywhere, we decided to head back to the comfort of one of the hides. I have found very few hides in the UK that provide good photographic conditions and the ones at Titchwell, in my opinion, are no different. However, on this occasion there was a lot of activity directly in front of it and one of the species on show was Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), which was a new photo species for me. So whilst the angle was not one I like, I decided on some record shots of this great looking wader.

Last up in front of the camera that day were some Ruff (Philomachus pugnax). Again not a preferable viewing angle but nice to see these so close.