in a galaxy far, far away

the local patch isn't on fire presently, although in a literal sense I almost wish it was. It being 60% water and not in BP's portfolio, this remains unlikely. But just to make myself feel better about hammering modest local sites deep in urban London, and how things can only get better now July is finally shuffling off, here's a Stone-curlew from August 2007.


A great bird in any context; a truly great bird when discovered in the small field behind Lea Valley Riding Centre while walking dogs with a friend, hiding behind the only weed in the whole field, in the only field in about ten thousand square kilometres of concrete.



Probably the only London record that year (including those huge expanses of open country and gargantuan reserves on the fringes), and photographed using my then-famous 'digibin-handshake' technique, much copied but never bettered. Better than finding a Pallas's at Flamborough and responsible for an out-of-body experience.