I have put in a massive amount of time this week in the hope of getting a “special” shot of a Dipper. I have to say that so far I have been defeated.  I am pretty sure , but not absolutely certain, that my camouflage is good because the bird doesn’t seem to worry about being opposite to me and near,  but whenever I try to predict where it is going to land, and then position myself accordingly, it just is not happening. The photo opportunities are just so good though, so I keep waiting in the hope that eventually I will be successful, and I am sure I will. There is going to be some more waiting though. Today i put in another 3 hours with only shots from 20 feet or so, and I want the bird 5 feet from me! It is good to watch him though, he is very interesting and I feel privileged to live in a part of the world where they are found.  As I sat under cover today a Spotted Flycatcher came and perched opposite and I snapped off a couple of shots for the record. At first I thought it was a young Robin but I quickly realised that I was watching a Flycatcher.

 He landed on here and then caught a fly and returned to the same perch as they are known to do. I think this one is a juvenile. Young birds that were hatched in the spring and summer this year are now known as first winter birds. 

So back to Dipper. Here are just a few of the ones taken today.

As you can see, they are all a bit grainy due to the bad light yet again. They are a hard bird to photograph and the more a try, the more I realise it. 

The Grey Wagtail was around again and took a bath in the River giving me the chance to experiment a little bit.