heron-DSC 6052 edited

Excellent capture, Andrew!

On the whole, together with hoopoes, I think herons are my favourite birds. A lovely shot!

Hi Andy, yes, I'd like to see a hoopoe in real life, only ever seen photos and, many years ago, a taxidermy specimen in a slightly disturbing collection of stuffed birds in Brighton called the Booth museum. They are certainly very charismatic animals.

I've lived in Spain now these past twelve years and I've walked many 1000s of kilometres and I've been on the lookout for hoopoes ever since I got here. And how many do you think I've seen in the flesh? Exactly right. None! :o(

A superb shot. You were lucky to get that close. Everytime I get remotely clse to one they fly off!!

Yes, it was far too interested in whatever it had seen in the water to notice me.