Photography.

Only a few minutes after I published yesterdays post 'M'cbe & 'Mossing' on the blog I discovered that Brian Rafferty had been to Leighton Moss the day before and by being 'at the right place at the right' time had excellent views of the 'daily' visiting Hobby which he says perched obligingly quite close to the Lower Hide at one point, not only that he was also able to achieve some superb images of the equally superb bird.

I've always had an admiration for good photography and good photographers and continue to enjoy viewing other peoples work in particular the work of the non-professional which is a description sounding much better than 'amateur' but really only means you don't get paid for your efforts. Brian has given me permission to post his photographs on my blog and putting up these three of the Hobby gives me an enormous buzz......thanks Brian.

Lots of visitors to LM won't have a clue as to the importance of a Hobby on the reserve, not only present here but visiting - it seems - on a daily basis to hunt. I'd go as far as to say if you could claim to have visited here for 50 years or more your Hobby records probably wouldn't amount to very much at all though I don't claim to have the local history of this bird to hand but do know in terms of status the Hobby is a 'mega' at Leighton Moss and anywhere within the recording area for that matter though breeding does occur but is kept 'quiet' and quite rightly so.

I can only sum up my feelings about Brian Rafferty's 'Surprise Hobby' at http://brianraffertywildlifephotographer.blogspot.com at Leighton Moss with just three words in humour......YOU JAMMY BUGGER!