Greetings everyone! Woke up today to an unexpected white wonderland – I really need to take better heed of the weather forecasts! Not being able to spend as much time outside this season, my cold conditioning has been lagging. Just the other day I received a letter in the mail from the RAU threatening a lawsuit for “Neglect and Unbecoming Behavior”. Dropped it off at our legal department to add to the “pile” (don’t ask). Upon inquiry, learned that the RAU is the Runner’s Apparel Union that, news to me, my cold weather running wardrobe had recently unionized under. They are pissed that they haven’t been used once this winter and noticed we were already packing for our trip south. They will need to take that up with my ankle doctor. While I get things straightened out with the disgruntled closet, Brad is going to bring you an adventure from across the pond (what expense report ha).
Take it away Brad….
Wildlife Intrigued sent Jan and I on an international birding assignment to Merry Olde England. The expense report is still pending. I think Legal is holding it up because they are jealous, they weren’t allowed to go. Can you blame HQ after the photocopy incident last time they were given responsibility?
On one of our free mornings, Jan’s cousin Louise offered to take us to Rutland Water Nature Reserve (RWNP) to see some birds. How could we refuse? The morning started out misty and cloudy, a typical English morning you’re thinking. However, in our experience, a very small percentage of mornings actually start this way. The movies have us all thinking that England, or more specifically London, is full of dark and gloomy places shrouded in a thick fog; best keep that brolly handy. Jan and I have made a few trips across the pond, and in the 70+ days we’ve spent there in total, only 2-3 have been truly rainy or the type of weather we needed a Mackintosh or Wellies after your morning cuppa.
After breakfast, Louise said she would drive. I was secretly relieved because while I am able to drive on the wrong, er, left side of the road, I’m not as confident as I need to be on the narrow hedge-lined roadways. Instead of driving the tiny European rental car (I could barely fit my normal U.S. sized feet under the dashboard to work the pedals), we rode to RWNP in style in a Jaaaaag (hoping the increased amount of “a’s” help with the proper pronunciation). Once we secured a spot in the car park, I put Jan’s camera together first. Then she and Louise headed off to the visitor center. I finished my camera, put the strap around my shoulder, and shut the boot on the Jaaaaag. As I wandered up the trail, I saw Jan snapping away at something sweetly singing in the shrubbery. But, as usual, by the time I got there it was gone.
Hit the jump to read more about this spiffy looking bird from across the pond.
Continue reading Holy Tourist Batman…by Brad Marks
Life Intrigued 