In the absence of a big lens for my SLR I have opted for the impressive 42X Nikon P510, if it works well I will be taking this on tour with me instead of the heavy SLR set-up. First impressions are that it easily outcompetes my old Panasonic FZ35 in terms of distance work and produces nice images. It should work well for herps, birds and large invertebrates I think. You cannot beat an SLR for fiddly macro work though! Full review of the P510 later perhaps. This young grass snake was not impressed when I unearthed it the other day at Petersberg.
A quick look-in at Båstad harbour produced a single yellow wagtail yesterday. This is a cropped image taken at range.
Yesterday was just one of those days when nothing goes to plan. Dropped in on Båstad harbour for fifteen minutes chasing birds with my new bridge camera, a yellow wagtail was on the grass here and tree pipits were evident overhead (they remained a low-level part of the audioscape for the rest of the day). Did a spot of work, lunching at Kattvik where a single Arctic skua was the only highlight. Then the school rang and I had to pick up one of the kids who was under the weather.
Escaped later and had an hour at Klarningen en route to the do the weekly shop. Klarningen was cold and wet and aside from a fly-through adult hobby it had little to recommend it! Waders here though included; ruff (3), common sandpiper (1), spotted redshank (1), greenshank (3) and a single wood sandpiper.
A poorly-looking black-headed gull at Båstad yesterday.