A few days in Wales.

Day 1..A few of the local photographers ( loosely speaking ) from my local patch each year join forces and have an annual trip somewhere within the country for a few days, this year I was fortunate to be able to join them. So with Steve Ashton, Steve Ray, Mike Gould, Alan Ashdown and Pete Hemmings we set off early last Sunday with our destination being Rhayader, mid Wales. We had a faultless journey to which I must thank Steve Ashton who drove us there. We stayed at the Elan valley hotel which could not have been better situated for us, it was opposite the river Elan  allowing us easy access to the river, and close to the Red Kite feeding station Gigrin farm. It was there we had our first action with the cameras on a bright day with blue skies. Feeding time for the kites is 3 o'clock  each summer day, the kites are joined by Buzzards and most of the crow family for the feast. There are several hides, some are high and we pre booked the tower hide which costs £20 but well worth it. The Kites seem to appear from nowhere and although we all thought numbers were not as big as previous visits there were lots of birds and the action was fast and furious as the first wave off  Kites started to circle and then plummet to the ground,  this is a real spectacle as they jostle for position, often crashing in to each other as they grabbed at the meat. There  were a few Buzzards trying to land and feed, they had to keep their heads down and a close eye on the kites at all times. As the food started to thin out the birds were easier to watch and calmer  with the Buzzards  occasionally settling in a tree close by.The feed lasted about 3 hours and afterwards it was back to the hotel for a welcome roast dinner.

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