Waxen of Wing...The True Northerners

Well if Preston is considered attractive to these birds, I can't imagine how bad Scandinavia is in the winter is all I can say. It was because of this odd attraction I found myself on a train bound for Preston around midday on a saturday. I'd sat in front of Birdguides all morning looking at reports coming in from all over about a certain invasion of a certain species. Over the last few weeks i've watched their progress from Shetland to Orkney to Inverness to Tyneside and final down to the north west. They've even penetrated Manchester, have these Waxwings.

The thing with Waxwings is that they tick all the photographical boxes. They're pretty, rare, approachable and spend an inordinate amount of time in cities and towns. They really are the photographer's best friend. Except they're not are they? They spend most of the time up trees in the topmost branches looking down on us below, sneering at the poor angle and light they've given us. They finally come down to feed, then the local Mistle Thrush comes bombing in and that's the end of that. They do circuits of the local TV aerials, call plaintively and regularly just to let us know they're still about. Nightmare.

But with the correct application of patience and fieldcraft you can get close enough for a shot. I literally cannot get enough of these birds when they're about, they're absolutely stunning creatures. Especially when the light's on them...

...even when it isn't they're stunning...

....up with the fairies...

...the 'ooh-look-i've-got-a-berry-in-my-mouth' shot...

...slight overbalance here...!

...Showing off that gorgeous wing bar...

...two's company...

...liftoff...!

...'look what I found...!'

...that golden light...

...and don't we all love the shots that were lucky...?

...absolute belters, really brighten Preston up no end. But the bug's there now, and its there for the winter I feel. I'll twitch them tomorrow, and who knows when else! All I know is I'd like em on my garden list (yes good people of Shetland that's directed at you).