Avocet

It’s late, but still quite light, when we arrive at the River Exe and I’m delighted to see an Avocet on the muddy bank.

Avocet - The Hall of Einar - photograph (C) David Bailey (not the)

They’re busy, elegant, entertaining birds.

Avocet - The Hall of Einar - photograph (C) David Bailey (not the)

We cross to look at a larger mudbank and I can see there’s a flock of Avocets, but they’re very far out. I’m thinking that not even Wellington boots will get me out there, and safely back, when one flies close by:

Avocet - The Hall of Einar - photograph (C) David Bailey (not the)

Their beaks are amazing, aren’t they? Humans previously extirpated them from the UK and they only arrived back because of World War II protecting their coastal breeding grounds.

I put together a composite shot of it flying past:

Avocet - The Hall of Einar - photograph (C) David Bailey (not the)

They are so elegant I’m entranced.

As we return to the car in the fading light, the one we saw first is still out there, working the bank.

Avocet - The Hall of Einar - photograph (C) David Bailey (not the)

The persistence they have in meeting their daily struggles for existence is inspiring.

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