Female Reed Bunting

1D2n, 600mm f4 is, 1/1000s, f4, iso 400

I hadn't previously appreciated the lovely facial marking of this bird, probably because they never sit still long enough. I got some very strange looks taking this one. I had the full rig set up on tripod following birds in flight over a vast area of ice, when I became aware of something going on at ground level. It was heavily backlit so I could't see what it was. Every so often, I would get the camera off the tripod and hide under a bush lying flat out, not helped by the fact I had forgotten the angle finder - and the bird invariably disappeared. I heard a comment "daddy, that man's a spy!" (Standard camo gear isn't too effective here!)

I only managed a couple of frames. The bird was actually drinking droplets of water from the thawing snow, whilst her mate was foraging on the open ice for crumbs left for the ducks. I hear that many birds are succumbing in this exceptional weather and here's hoping the thaw continues.