Even the Garnock gulls seemed less ordinary.

We suddenly became aware that we were not alone in the Garnock estuary. Everywhere we looked there was teeming bird life seeking shelter for the winter.

 Turnstones were dozing on...

 ...the rocks and...

...oyster catchers were probing the mudflats exposed by the receding tide.

 Even the Garnock gulls seemed less ordinary.

Flocks of widgeon flew backwards and forwards across the estuary as each mud banks was exposed revealing fresh pickings.

As the estuary emptied a whooper swan decided there was not enough room in the narrowing channel and flew off towards more open water as...

 ...did we before being caught high and dry. We paddled out of the mouth of the river and over...

 ...the bar into...

...the open Firth of Clyde beyond.

Who would have thought that this waterway behind the industrial decay of the former Nobel explosives works would have been such a natural wonder?