Bearded Tit euphoria

[galanthus]

After Snake's owl pic yesterday I was inspired to brave the freezing weather today and go out wombling with camera.

After reading on the bird sightings that a bearded tit had appeared in a lakeside area I headed off into the sunshine. When I got there sun had gone and it was freezing cold. I hung around for over an hour in the reedbeds, disappeared for 10 mins came back and found I'd missed it by 1 minute. Another half an hour forced me to walk on as I couldn't feel my toes or move my mouth, ( my other half would have been pleased if he'd been there ). Anyway, an hour later I got to the cafe with feet like ice slabs and a frozen face and had a hot coffee.

Feeling a little warmer I came out to head for the car park and saw a pic someone had put on the board of the bird yesterday. I decided to go off and have a last 10 mins. The result had me beside myself with glee and joy You see these in the bird books, however, nothing prepares you for the irridescense of the head colour, the bird is the most impressive I've ever ever seen. The pics aren't great and are the best of around 40, the rest being blurs, however, the reeds were blowing like mad so it was quite difficult. I am sooooooooooo happy

[pammosley]

Great photos galanthus, worth missing the rugby for these
I`ve never seen one.
Pam

[sunnydale]

You must be thrilled galanthus. There's nothing quite like spotting a bird for the first time, that you've been dying to see. Congratulations!

[Tracey.A]

I bet you're so glad you decided to have one last look before you left I've never seen one yet - one day! That feeling that you get the first time you see a special bird stays with you for ever

Tracey

[Foxglove]

Ooooh very nice Great photos of a great bird!

I've been wanting to see Beardies for absolutely years now but so far the wee blighters have eluded me I'm planning a trip down to Leighton Moss sometime in January however so fingers crossed there.

[LoveT]

It's a fantastic feeling, finally getting to see a bird you've only ever read about previously

I caught my first ever glimpse of a Kingfisher recently, and a Greater Black Backed Gull, both on the same day. I was totally chuffed, so I know how you feel.

Excellent pictures given the conditions, too!!

Thea

[Ollie]

Well done on getting these shots. They are a stunning bird as you say and not the easiest to photograph even in perfect conditions.

Roger

[leifus]

well done - ag pics! This happened to me last year tooooo - I didnt get photos but the views were amazing - as if it waas tv!

[galanthus]

Thanks mateys. I was torn in two, I wanted to gaze lovingly and rapturously at it with bins, however, also wanted to at least get some kind of image of it giving that it was quite obliging. The reeds were frantic with movement and trying to manually focus with the bird diving around erratically as well was almost impossible .

Passers by were curious about what we were looking at with enormous grins on our faces, so I ended up lending out my bins over and over again so that little peeps and their parents could see the bird. Most peeps were astonished that these birds actually exist in Britain, so I hope at least that they may take an interest in future. Anyone in Wales near Barry dive in the car tomoz and take warm stuff and lots of hot coffee

[Bouncytigger]

Oh my Word!!!

Now that really is worth Freezing your bits off for!!

Well done Galanthus

Bet thats made your DAY, WEEK,MONTH??

Think it would have made my YEAR actually