There cant be many wildlife photographers in Essex that haven’t made a visit to RSPB Rainham Marshes in the last couple of weeks, where 2, 3 or 4 (depending who you ask!) water rails have been uncharacteristically showy for a usually reclusive bird.
I made a visit a couple of Sundays ago and when it poked its head out the reeds the first time I was happy with what I got.
It then came right out.
It wandered round the terrapin pond, going in and out of the reeds. Sometimes it came quite close.
And sometimes even closer!
The long shadows, an inconveniently placed alder tree and small crowd watching made getting shots in the sun a bit tricky, but I managed this one of it in the water.
And this one on the edge of the reeds.
When the sun had dropped too low and I was beginning to freeze (note to self, yes you WILL need that extra layer, don’t be lazy and leave it in the car!) I put the camera on ISO1600 and grabbed this as it made a final close walk past before I left.
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