Through the reeds

It’s back to Liverpool today for an appointment at LSTM - Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Since coming off the TB meds, it’s largely a ‘touch base’ base appointment - but it’s good to discuss symptoms etc with someone who’s been involved in my case since November 2021.  Now all hopes are based on the drug Methotrexate,but it will be Dermatology who will prescribe and monitor this, and as my next appointment there is in August, my LSTM consultant will try to move things forward. I’ve already written to Dermatology, but I know how tight appointments can be. Still, while I’m there, I have bloods taken so if a window becomes available, all the information will be there. 

Having spent two hours in the clinic I’m feeling jaded, and decide a wander round Liverpool isn’t what I need! So instead we head for RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, nature seeming a more gentle antidote.  

The weather’s not ideal - dull and slightly chilly - so the wonderful dappled light I love is absent, as are the butterflies and dragons I had hoped for. But there’s a pair of tufted ducks and some gorgeous ducklings who seem to have escaped from mum! 

Further on, we come across a majestic Great Egret fishing amongst the greenery of the reeds, and then a small flock of flying lapwings - I do love to see them flying with their broad white-tipped wings. There’s no sign of the spoonbill today, but there are avocets wading through the shallows and a handsome pair of shovelers on the bank. Certainly plenty of photographic options - though many are really far too distant even with a 600mm lens. 

My main’s obviously the Great Egret, with extras of the ducklings and shoveler pair.