It has not been a productive summer camera-wise. It has largely been with me, but I've either not had the opportunity, nor felt the inclination - largely I've been into cities. I did however get it out on a recent holiday with the family to the Hebrides, where a particularly obliging Stonechat posed on a fenceline for me. It was the only time I used a large telephoto the entire trip. These two were taken out of the car window as I rolled to a stop. On the second one, even I'll admit that the post isn't the best, but that's what the bird liked, so that's what I went for - it was the highest post which probably explains the bird's fondness for it. Straight down the barrel!

My photography in Helsinki was concentrated into a single morning session from sunrise, which was about 5am, and 6.30am, when the light started getting a little too harsh. It probably wasn't, but just seemed like it after the incredible start to the day. I was in a small hide near the start of the boardwalk to Lammassari, and as the sun rose the mist became more concentrated for a short period. Once the sun was up and the silhouettes were over, I started on the inhabitants of the reedbed, mainly Sedge Warblers and Reed Buntings. As I was all alone, I did a whole load of grunting, pishing, whistling, chucking, and they were surprisingly interested and came pretty close in - I think they were probably young birds. 

I then had to lug my camera round Helsinki for the rest of the day. Was it worth it? For the warblers etc, probably not, but that Caspian Tern and that sunrise will live long in the memory!

I spent Saturday in Helsinki, no real reason, just more of my ridiculous penchant for travel at the moment. This time I did take the camera, and arriving in the small hours I elected not to bother with a hotel but instead get myself into position for some potentially lovely light at sunrise. I wasn't disappointed! Vanhankaupunginlahti Bay is a very long name, as such often called Viikki, and is an area of habitat immediately to the north of Helsinki city centre. I jumped off the airport bus at approximately 2am, and walked perhaps 2 or 3 miles to this fantastic reedbed. I gave up attempting to sleep after being ravaged by mosquitos, and instead waited for the sun to come up. Awesome conditions, a low mist that became more intense at first and then gradually dissipated, and I had it all to myself. Photography was over within the hour, the light incredibly harsh in the heatwave that Finland is currently experiencing. But by then I had a few images that I was happy with - rarely in the UK am I able to get myself somewhere for this time of day. The following photos are all a bit 'samey', but altogether different from my normal output - it's good to try different things now and again. It's a tough call, but my favourite is the final one - an early morning Caspian Tern, no detail possible in the conditions but instantly recognisable nonetheless. It has to be one of my favourite images of 2014 so far.