'Remember, the snipe call is this: "Woo loo loo, woo loo loo." '

Hank Hill (Cheryl Holliday - King of the Hill)

I am not sure when, or why Snipes became lumped in with Snarks and Questing Beasts of Old. However the truth is, mirth aside, I have been known to enjoy a good Snipe Hunt on occasions, albeit rather rare ones. Rare, not due to their being too few snipes but because they are not known to tolerate humans. The truth is that going on a Snipe Hunt is very often a fools errand particularly if you try to call them, they are very elusive birds. On this particular occasion, he was not aware of my presence when he arrived to feed near where I was waiting with my gear and I took care not to alert him to my presence. Their beautiful song is common and I have heard them often however this is one of the few times I have seen one and I feel very blessed to have been able to take these few photos. If you are yourself interested in hunting Snipe they tend to stick to marshes and bogs where they feed, but move gently and respectfully less they take offence to your presence and make haste to safer grounds.

© TS Ni hUiginn