This was the view around midday, looking southwest and inland from the northern end of Belhaven Beach. The low winter sun was reflected in the River Tyne and swathes of oystercatchers continually took to the sky then resettled along the banks. Unusually, I was drawn away from the view out to sea, where the Bass Rock was framed by a crisp blue sky, to the more dramatic play of light on the River Tyne and the stark silhouettes of the trees.