Not often we go anywhere now (thanks to COVID) but this was a day out that ended up in a disastrous trip home. An accident on the highway with two trucks, one that burst into flames, and we were stuck in a traffic jam. It was well over 3 hours in temperatures of 40 C (104F) before the police sorted things out and moved the traffic down the emergency lane to an off-ramp. A 1½ hour trip took us over 5 hours. Never the less we did get to see a few birds before all this happened!
Black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus)...
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As above with a Northern Lapwing in the background...
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Black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus).
As above.
Northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)...
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As above...
The gull looks to have a kerchief tied under its chin. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteIt must have been a nightmare in that traffic jam.
Thanks Marie, the traffic jam was terrible and the heat was ridiculous. Well done to the police for getting it sorted out as with the fire, the road would have been closed for several days! Keep safe Diane
DeleteIt's lovely that you got out to see the bird life. So sorry to hear of the accident and also being stuck in traffic during intense heat. It's a wonder you didn't get dehydrated and suffer sun stroke. I hope it means you carried water with you. Try to stay cool.
ReplyDeleteHi Penny, Yes we did have water thank goodness. As we had planned a picnic luckily I had packed two large bottles of water in the cool box. We had only drunk 1/2 of one at lunch. The people who were in front of us were drinking beer out of their cold box which would have dehydrated then further!!!
DeleteKeep safe and keep cool, Diane
Thankful for your planning ahead. Some people don't think at all. The ones drinking beer were not very smart. Not only would they get dehydrated but they'd be driving under the influence 🤔.
DeleteThere was 5 people in the car in front, the driver may not have been drinking alcohol but every one else appeared to be!! Diane
DeleteHi Diane - great shots ... and at least you had something interesting to look at, while you waited. I do hate being stuck in traffic at the best of times ... and am glad you water available. Wonderful lapwing ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary, Only miles and miles of traffic queues to look at, note above says we saw the birds before. We had picnic at 12 o'clock then watched birds for a couple of hours before getting back onto the road. We had only just got onto the highway when we came to a standstill. Take care Diane
DeleteI am always so jealous of bloggers who see and photograph lapwings. They are ones we don't have here
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to be here and thank you for sharing your blog with us today at IRBB!
Thanks for the comment and thanks for hosting. Always a pleasure to join you. Diane
DeleteNice birds - we have a very similar stilt here.
ReplyDeleteThe traffic jam sounds like hell!
Hope all is well - Stewart M - Melbourne
The traffic jam was terrible but thank goodness the police eventually got us off the highway. Hope all is well over there, take care Diane
DeleteBonjour Diane,
ReplyDeleteLes photos de l'échasse sont très jolies. J'aime bien l'ambiance.
J'espère que tout va bien chez toi.
Bonjour Nathalie, merci pour le commentaire.
DeleteTout va bien ici, j'espère que vous allez bien aussi.
Bisous Diane
Gosh, that sounds dramatic. I hope it turned out okay.
ReplyDeleteWe have heard no further news so we just hope the driver survived! Cheers Diane
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