Grey Wagtail

I went back to the river again today because there is a family of Grey Wagtails, at least 4 youngsters and their parents. This is a great opportunity to get some good shots. The juveniles are feeding themselves and also accepting food from the parents if offered. I sat hidden by the river with my camera focused on rocks in mid-stream. The first bird to arrive; one of the juveniles, was to my left but only 24 inches away! I couldn't photograph it but just watched and waited and enjoyed. Realising that the birds were more likely to feeding on the rocks on the edge of the river, I adjusted myself for a better angle. It wasn't long before another bird (or the same one) came back, this time not so close and I watched it catch a wasp or hoverfly, I can't really tell from the photograph. It certainly makes a nice shot though. That was about it as far as Grey Wagtails were concerned but then a Kingfisher did a fly by and an adult Dipper perched on the rocks down stream which was good to see. On my walk back to the car I saw the young Dipper fishing..... yes fishing.... it actually came up with a tiny fish. It's nice to see that this juvenile Dipper is doing well and has even now got the ability to catch tiny fish. As it searched under the water I quickly took the opportunity to rush towards it, freezing as soon as it popped up. Then repeating the process. In that way I got within 15 feet as it now bathed, preened and then rested. I laid myself down on the ground with a clear view and the camera resting solidly on a boulder and took a few nice shots, the first I have taken of this youngster for a couple of weeks.