Well, that couldn't be more precise, could it ?
With the Chinese calendar officially "Autumn" it seemed a good time to check out a rising tide at Mai Po Nature Reserve.
For context, a couple of views of Deep Bay with the air clear after overnight rain.
Not fully alert, I wandered into no less than three spiders' webs strung between the mangrove along the boardwalk. Sorry spiders...you'll have to string those up again.
There was about an hour of sunshine in the early morning (06:30 to 07:30, roughly) as the tide came in. The few birds present shuffled around the tideline, with a few of the Grey Plover still in fine breeding plumage.
You can see why this species is called Black-bellied Plover in the United States.
Many Grey Plovers will winter in Deep Bay, but birds such as Terek Sandpiper and Grey-tailed Tattler are on their migration southwards.
Others - like these Whimbrel and Black-faced Spoonbills - have over-summered here, but will be joined by more of their fellows as winter approaches.
The spoonbills have mastered the art of "loafing"..
But even for them, the water on a rising tide soon gets too deep.
And that's all for now - "Must fly !"
With the Chinese calendar officially "Autumn" it seemed a good time to check out a rising tide at Mai Po Nature Reserve.
For context, a couple of views of Deep Bay with the air clear after overnight rain.
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| Deep Bay - view from Mai Po boardwalk hide with Shenzhen in the distance |
Not fully alert, I wandered into no less than three spiders' webs strung between the mangrove along the boardwalk. Sorry spiders...you'll have to string those up again.
There was about an hour of sunshine in the early morning (06:30 to 07:30, roughly) as the tide came in. The few birds present shuffled around the tideline, with a few of the Grey Plover still in fine breeding plumage.
You can see why this species is called Black-bellied Plover in the United States.
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| Grey Plover - Pluvialis squatarola |
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| Grey Plover - Pluvialis squatarola |
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| Grey Plover - Pluvialis squatarola |
Many Grey Plovers will winter in Deep Bay, but birds such as Terek Sandpiper and Grey-tailed Tattler are on their migration southwards.
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| Terek Sandpiper - Xenus cinereus |
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| Terek Sandpiper - Xenus cinereus |
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| Grey-tailed Tattler - Heteroscelus brevipes |
Others - like these Whimbrel and Black-faced Spoonbills - have over-summered here, but will be joined by more of their fellows as winter approaches.
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| Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus |
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| Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus |
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| Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus |
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| Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus |
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| Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus |
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| Black-faced Spoonbills - Platalea minor |
But even for them, the water on a rising tide soon gets too deep.
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| Black-faced Spoonbill - Platalea minor |
And that's all for now - "Must fly !"
Always envious about your Mai Po posts..............................
ReplyDeleteWonderful inflight shots John, early morning lights at MP is worth waking up early for!
ReplyDeleteDo love your BIF pics, some of the others are equally spectacular - especially the Grey Plovers.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone..... the light was really nice, if only briefly!
ReplyDelete