"Portraits" from the last couple of weekends (aka stuff that got too close and more than filled the frame)

Little Bunting at Forest Farm, Cardiff

Jay and Water Rail at Parc Slip NR, Tondu, Bridgend

Gulls Galore !!

After a weekend off for the rugby last week I was hoping that the juvenile Glaucous Gull found recently at Porthcawl would still be around and popped down early yesterday Sat 7th March hoping to get some photos of the bird on a sunny and mild spring morning.
It took me a while to find the bird and after checking the gulls on Salt Lake car park and at the harbour I eventually found the bird on the beach, it had probably been loafing with a large group of gulls on the sea but it was difficult to scan them with only bins looking straight into the bright sunlight.
The bird allowed a reasonable approach and I managed a few nice shots......

I moved on then to Cardiff Bay meeting friend and fellow "togger" Richard Smith on the way and after parking at the Ice Rink we walked the western bank of the River Taff in search of the Bonaparte's and Little Gull and also the three Goosanders which have been giving great views.
We found the Little Gull about 200m up from the road bridge and although always a little distant we both managed to get some "record" shots......

The Goosanders were a little more obliging and came in reasonably close to the river bank allowing Richard and myself to get some shots that we were both pleased with........

Although the Bonaparte's Gull eluded us it was great to be out on such a beautiful Spring day and the other birds seen and photographed made up for our "dip".