I have to say that I am massively excited and pleased with this photograph that I took today. It was wet, windy and a typical British winters morning when I made my way out to meet my friend Dave Land who had rung me earlier to tell me of a Snow Bunting close to Powderham Church on the Exe Estuary. I felt like an arctic explorer as I battled against the wind and the driving rain, very  fitting as  I was on my way to see an arctic bird. Dave had just had a disaster, his camera was blown over on the tripod by the strong gusty wind, and the Canon plastic body didn't stand the impact and smashed almost in half. I really felt for him having damaged three cameras myself in total in such a way. There is always the thoughts of "if only" but fate will always win and eventually you will have an accident. Anyway, the bird was a lovely thing and in common with all arctic species, very confiding. I had read somewhere that Shore Lark, if you get very low and lay down, think the you are a four legged animal such as the Reindeer that they are familiar with and this is exactly what reaction I had from the Snow Bunting. It made its way towards me and when everyone had departed, the bird not only wasn't worried that I was nearby but actually seemed to seek me out and came to rest right next to me which was a magical thing.. Obviously this was also a brilliant opportunity and I took many, many really good close ups.  Dave Cawthraw is a nice chap that I have met on many occasions and he took my photo as I photographed the bunting…..me in action so to speak and thanks Dave for sending it to me.

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So there I am!   At one point the bird decided to drink from a puddle which made for a good image.   There will be many more photographs of this bird when I have had a look through them.

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