Distancing.

Having had to pop in to the pet supply shop over at Littleport, I thought I'd stop off at the Washes - because they are completely on my way, honest.

The breeze was virtually non existent, and the scene before me was only slightly tarnished by heat haze. At last the levels have dropped, and now the wash is revealing its spikes of Flag and bulrush, and vegetated islands of Bugle and other wetland plants have attracted passing waders and dabbling wildfowl. There are still Wigeon scattered across the shallow waters, and a sizeable flock of Godwits have yet to return to Iceland. While the resident breeders are settling onto territories - Redshank, Avocet and Limosa Godwits - this is just a stopover for the Ruff (probably....). A group of 24 loafed and pecked in the Spring warmth, sharing the lagoon with raucous Black-headed gulls and a few other waders.

Down at the causeway, a Stork shuffled across the drier compartments before disappearing along a ditch.