Thankfully this trip came around so quick it was perfect, couldn't wait to get back up to Norfolk with Sarah. We were staying just outside Holt and decided to head up early and start our trip off with a stop at Titchwell then work along the coast towards the Hotel. The day was quite misty/foggy but it felt great to be out and about on the Norfolk coast.
I had taken some smaller camera gear so it was a walk and shoot effort and snap at what I could. As per norm at Titchwell we headed to the sea and then walked along to Thornham point. As always we walked the shoreline as I like the opportune moments of pics when the waders fly by, mind you at the speed they pass it is a challenge for sure. With the usual groups of Sanderling, Dunlin, Bar tailed Godwits I was kept busy looking.
One aspect of the beach that draws my attention are the sands and the formations they make, absolutely stunning some times and this morning was no exception. In the picture above I couldn't get my head around what a contrasting edge this was, Some way from the water, how did it stop being formed in one way to the very next smooth transition, stunning.
And then the black sediment left in a washed away effect, I just could not take my eyes off the patterning.
After losing myself in the sands it was back to the birds, with a lot of Scoter and a pair of Mergansers off the coast, the birds seemed to almost vanish, so we headed back towards the car to move along a bit further.
Our next stop was at Wells next the Sea. We parked up towards the Wells woods near the sea front and ventured out towards the beach huts. I hadn't actually ever walked this part of the coast before and I could see why it was so popular with visitors. We trekked to the end of the huts and then out to the shoreline heading back. There were 206 beach huts there! and no I didn't count them all, I went by the numbering on the hut fronts!
Once we were back at the car park we headed into the woods and around the Dell. There we were to find the largest congregation of Goldcrests I had ever seen. There were at least 20 in the tree and bush immediately in front of me at one stage and I could hear more around the neighbouring area. We were both transfixed with these little beauties just feet from us.
Throughout the trip I used my little pocket camera to take some panoramic shots of the landscape.
Here we have some more weird sand formations, these looking more like plant growth! Such detail.
Panoramics of Wells beach and its huts and woods bordering the sand dunes before meeting Holkham.
Day 2 and we ventured, after a hearty cooked breakfast, to Horsey Beach to see the Grey seal colony there. We had been there before and just hoped there were some seals present.
We were not to be disappointed either, with a few groups on the beach sleeping it off there were plenty of photographic opportunities. Although quite a few people were visiting the colony I headed to the furthest group and with least watched group. With a slow and timely approach we were sitting close these lovely seals, who were content with our presence and carried on sleeping. There were a few younger pups there, no longer in there white fur as they would of been during December. I had originally stumbled upon this colony a few years back in December when after a Desert Wheatear, back then the pups were in their white coats.
Using the rocks as pillows or just upended on their backs, it was a lovely and rewarding morning spent with these animals. It has to be said that because it such and easy and open viewing area the people that visit are not always that clued up and wildlife aware. With mums too busy talking to watch the kids running back and forth making them wary and blokes boldly walking up to the nearest rock and standing atop it to get a picture, then wonder why they have all unnecessarily moved towards the waters edge?? For all those numpty idiots...take your time, admire how lovely they are and approach with caution and ease and treat them as wild and not a pet shop viewing pen! and as for the mums that bring their kids...have a bit of awareness and think of the wildlife and not what new bit of gossip you have to tell..have a bit of control over your kids its not a playground....moan over.
