Water Rail

Well camouflaged and almost under my feet, but difficult to photograph as the light was fading fast. The water rail is normally a highly secretive bird but it was out in the open this afternoon. 

Earlier in the day I had seen and watched a bittern close to the water's edge - another highly secretive bird.  Although I could see it fairly well through the binoculars, it was too far away to photograph. 

A close member of my family died,  aged 38,  recently and I haven't fully come to terms with it yet. I have turned off comments for a short time but hope to start blipping again on a fairly regular basis.