Watching the kingfishers

I was supposed to be going out for lunch with a friend today.  Yesterday she said she had to be back to drive her husband to play bowls; today she had to take her hairdresser to the hospital.

I took the hint :-)  (though she was telling the truth, I know)

I took the white loaf I'd made her round to her husband and then went to the Wolseley Centre, near Rugeley in Staffordshire, to see if the kingfishers were around.  I'd had no luck yesterday at Elford Hall Garden.

There was great excitement going on when I arrived.  A couple, not regular visitors, had taken a photo and they didn't know what it was.  It was a mink.  The regular paparazzi were delighted. Now there is photographic proof that there are mink around and the centre will have to do something about it.  The mink would get into the nests and kill the young kingfishers.

And the kingfishers?  Yes. They were around. They flew westwards soon after I arrived but about an hour later, they were back.

I just love watching them. But getting photos is a real bonus (and proof)

Thanks to one of the regular visitors, I got these that I'm really rather proud of.