Old friends and new in foreign places

So..I’ve just returned from 10 days in the Seychelles – something of a bucket list destination for me. As I didn’t go to any of the “bird” islands the spotting was not as dramatic as its reputation but there was still plenty to add to my list once I got my eye in.

These Striated Herons seem to be quite abundant and pretty confiding…this one perched in a palm tree almost directly above my head and made for a nice tick.

This one, on the other hand, was equally unexpected and came with the the odd thrill that only finding something totally familiar in an unexpected location brings. If I didn’t know where it was this Grey Heron could be on my local beach.

Greenshank are familiar from the rather cooler climes of Cumbria as well – although we don’t usually find them in the middle of “major” towns like this one.

And while I should probably have spotted a Curlew Sandpiper at home by now, it is definitely more fun to introduce yourself to the species in a tropical paradise. This busy little guy was dashing energetically round the local parkland by the marina.

This one is not quite an old friend – but familiar from a dismally damp and windy day at Waratah Bay with my brother in 2012. Who can resist the slightly scruffy charm of a Great Crested Tern – not me that’s for sure. I nearly toasted myself on the beach capturing this image with the sun essentially directly overhead. At least this time it was warm and sunny.

Good job I was using Factor 40+ sun-cream or my european complexion would have ended up like this guy:

A nice cheerful Madagascar Fody.

If you’re keen on bird images – or like showing off pictures your latest tick why not try Wild Bird Wednesday – go on, you know you want to!