Birthday Boy

St. Andrew's Day is a day for celebration - not because of some bearded chap supposedly born in 6 B.C. in Galilee, but because of someone very real and much closer to home. It's Malcolm's birthday and today he has reached the ripe young age of 55.

Happy birthday Malcolm and many, many happy returns.

Bright and Chilly

Things have taken a rather chilly turn for the time of year. But as is often the case, the chilly feel was accompanied this morning, by a glitteringly clear blue sky. So we set out over Shipley Hill feeling cold, but basking in the sunshine.

We were heading for Osborne's Pond, down the hill...

The trees are now almost completely bare, with just a few brown leaves clinging to the twigs, but the views from the other side of the hill the other day, the colours were still pretty good.

The chilly conditions have meant that the Sparrows are even more hungry than usual and every day, we are treated to feeding frenzy in the tree in front of the house. This cheeky little chap seemed to be unimpressed by me pointing the camera at him while he was busy with lunch!

The influx of winter visitors goes on at a pace. Among the most numerous at the moment are the Redwings which have arrived from Northern Europe. This one was photographed in our garden a few years ago - actually, I've just checked and it was almost six years ago! Where does the time go?

Winter Visitors

It was rather blustery this morning and it looked like it might rain on us at any moment. So with that in mind, we set out for a short walk around Straw's Bridge. On 'Swan Lake', we were pleased to see a small group of Pochards.

Pochards (Aythya ferina) are a resident of the British Isles but their numbers are boosted in Winter, by incoming migrants. Numbers reaching around 48,000 individuals.

As usual with Wildfowl, the males are much more colourful than the females and display a wonderful chestnut coloured head and the brightest red eyes you can imagine. Unfortunately, they are on the RSPB red list meaning that their numbers have fallen drastically in the last 25 years.

The wind today, was doing its best to relieve the trees of the last of their autumn colour but thankfully, there is still some to be found.

Still Colourful

Autumn is slipping by at a frightening pace, but as thoughts turn towards Christmas, it is nice to see that the colours of the season are still rather fine. Where they have fallen from the trees, they are carpeting the ground with a thick pile of golden brown.

Many are still clinging to the trees.

As always, the Maples are the stars of the show.

Around Shipley Woodside...

and through the woods around Coppice Lake, where the Beech trees take the lead.

It is not just the leaves which attract attention. The bright berries of the Cotoneasters are creating quite a show of their own.

Just a little 'bloom' to enhance what is already a colourful scene.

Osborne's Pond

After a very chilly start, the morning turned out to be bright, sunny and clear. One of those days when it would have been a shame to stay inside. So we set off across Shipley Park. as we crossed Shipley Hill and looked back across the fields, a slight frosty mist hung about the trees.

The few leaves still clinging to the Maples, are quite beautiful as this ornamental variety shows.

At Osborne's Pond, the still waters were rippled by a passing Swan...

and the reflections were brilliant.

At the far right of the picture, the reservoir dam is just visible, reminding us that this was once a 'feeder' reservoir for the canals of the area. All a far cry from the glorious scene this sunny morning.

Reflections

We thought we would take a look at Mapperley Reservoir this morning as there had been reports of a group of Mandarin Ducks. Needless to say, we didn't find the Mandarins, but we were treated to the sight of a pair of Kingfishers chasing each other across the water. Unfortunately, they didn't stay still long enough to get a photo, so we'll have to settle for some general views.

Despite being rather overcast, the weather stayed dry as we took in the scene.

It soon became clear that the reflections on the surface of the reservoir, were well worth looking at too.

There was no breeze to disturb the surface, so the reflections were quite sharp.

Some of the Willows had bracket fungus growing on them - while trying to hang on to their leaves before Autumn turns to Winter and they give up the battle.