A walk at RSPB Fairburn Ings

Richard set off just before 6 a.m. to get the morning ferry from Birkenhead to Belfast; he'll be staying with his sister in Larne for a few days, sorting out some bits of family business.
I'd kept the day free, knowing that the weather forecast was promising. RSPB Fairburn Ings is just outside Castleford, in the former S Yorks coalfield.  It has a spot for viewing kingfishers, as well as some good walking trails and hides.
I didn't spot any kingfishers, though I spent a companionable hour or so with a couple of other photographers, peering into the trees.  One flew over our heads, but he/she decided to go and fish elsewhere.  
After a while I went off to explore.  The big treat of the day was watching a pair of red kites hunting over the houses and fields on the other side of the lake. They were too far away for me to capture much detail, but their beautiful colours and shape stood out anyway.  And there were various robins, tits and other small birds to watch.
I was glad to get away from all the feverish media coverage of Johnson, his character, his possible demise etc. The big takeaway for me is that he has managed to erode trust in politicians and political processes even more than it was already debased.  This will make it harder for more honest and progressive figures to make any headway, when opportunities arise. Meanwhile the odious Farage is jumping up and down in the wings, ready to conjure up ominous appeals to the need for 'strong leadership' etc... and in a context of increasing inflation and insecurity... I guess history lets us know in which direction that leads.