The foggy coast

Back from a long weekend in Norfolk, in which we enjoyed different climatic conditions to the rest of the region. Winds blew mist in off the North Sea and kept the cloud cover to 100% for much of the time. The result was we didn't suffer the sweaty heat that everyone else did, though it was still fairly humid.

Stiffkey Fen

The beach at Titchwell

We camped at Reedham, right next to the Yar, and not far from Strumpshaw Fen, where we started Saturday.

There were orchids-a-plenty. This might be a Southern Marsh Orchid, or apparently it could be a hybrid. I have no idea. To me it's just a pretty pink flower.

Loads of butterflies about, with Small Tortoiseshells most common

Female Emerald Damselfly

Male Black-tailed Skimmer

Very Hairy Caterpillar, probably a Vapourer moth

Next, Upton Broad, a Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserve. Here we skored Swallowtail butterfly - a mighty impressive beast, the first I've seen since a holiday to France when I was 11! - Norfolk Hawker dragonfly and...

What appears to be a Variable Damselfly

Lots of Large Skippers, too.

Another pink flower, which might be Herb Robert. Remember, I don't know anything about plants

After that, we went up to the north Norfolk coast, which was somewhat less productive, but still enjoyable: Ruff, Spotted Redshank, lots of cute, fluffy Avocet babies

and a Hobby being mobbed by a Black-headed Gull

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM or with Canon Powershot A640

Norfolk - some more

It's a whole six days since we were last in Norfolk, so time for another visit, this time centred around the Broads.

Went to twitch the American Wigeon which is at Buckenham Marshes. The Yankee showed only distantly, but a flock of Euro Wigeons were the most confiding I've ever seen. They looked fat and glossy in the sunshine.

Wigeon feeling frisky

Strange 'white-eared' female Wigeon, Buckenham Marshes (another 'white-eared' bird here)

Wigeon in flight (spooked by Marsh Harrier)

Rook cawing

Blackthorn blossom

Catkins

Guelder rose berries

Snowdrops, Strumpshaw Fen

Special birds: Cranes coming in to roost [relatively] near the Stubb Mill watchpoint (though that's Horsey Mill in view):

22 came in; we also saw 16+ Marsh Harriers

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM, Extender EF 1.4x II