Springtime Shocker!

What a difference a year makes. This time last year we were shivering with the 'beast from the east'. This year we are experiencing record-breaking high temperatures and it certainly felt like it this morning as we set out for Osborne's Pond. Although there was not much to see on the water, the views and reflections were nevertheless, rather good.

One Black-headed Gull stuck around long enough to have his photo taken. He has already lost his winter plumage and got his brown (black?) head back.

On Shipley Hill, the Snowdrops are now past their best, but still looking good enough to demand another photo before the Daffodils muscle in on the act.

Out of the trees, the views were pretty good too.

The local Wildlife Trust have been busy with improving the area, installing new paths, thinning out the over-grown brushwood and now this...

A huge, wooden spider has appeared in the woodland - not something to stumble upon in the dark!

It's enough to give us arachnophobes, quite a shock.

Attitude

It was nice this morning as Malcolm and I strolled towards the lakes of Straw's Bride. Along the old Nutbrook Canal, just before we got to 'Swan Lake', a few small clumps of Snowdrops were blooming bravely among the Ivy and dried weed stems.

It seems there are snowdrops popping out all over the place this year - even where we've not seen them before.

When we got to Swan Lake, the usual suspects were causing havoc. Canada Geese were honking at each other, Coots were fighting and the Swans were vying for position as controller of the lake. Mingling with the Canada Geese and Greylags, a large, white domestic goose has taken up residency and was also doing his best to impress.

As I stood there taking his picture, he thought he'd have a closer look at me...

and the more I looked at him, the more attitude he seemed to get, until he was looking at me with utter contempt.

If looks could kill, I certainly wouldn't be writing this now!

Dawn Light

The frosty mornings of late, have provided a few photo opportunities all of their own. Yesterday, as well as the chill in the air, it was also rather misty and the White Park Cattle were thrown into golden silhouette as they gently steamed, seemingly oblivious to the cold.

Turned out to graze the land and 'churn it up', they are acting as a more natural way of managing the landscape for wildlife. But in the cold of the morning, they didn't seem too interested in landscape management. They did look rather picturesque however.

The Local Wildlife Trust have been busy all over Shipley Park, improving the ground, repairing paths and fences and now they've added a new 'gateway' to the area known as 'Woodside'. Made of some very sturdy timber and intricately carved with all sorts of animals both wild and domestic, it was attracting lots of attention this morning - and quite rightly too.

Nearby, a small flock of Gadwall (Mareca strepera) were busy on the water. From a distance, they can look a bit plain and, frankly, dull. But closer inspection reveals a beautifully marked and subtly coloured bird.

The drake is as usual, much more colourful than the female and if I had noticed that I had my camera on the wrong setting, I might have got some better shots...

never mind, it just means we will have to go back and try again another day.

Signs of Spring

In contrast to the last few days, this morning didn't start sunny and cloud over, it started cloudy and stayed like it (at least until lunch time). So it was rather dull for taking pictures, but here are a few anyway.
There was lots of activity on the bird feeders first thing. Sparrows dominated of course, but this plucky little Blue Tit was getting his share.

Around the lakes of Straw's Bridge, signs of Spring are beginning to show themselves. The Hazel trees have been in flower for several weeks of course, but they always reward closer inspection. The familiar catkins are the male flowers...

but most people would miss the delightful, but tiny female flowers. They're there, looking rather like miniature red jelly sweets...

On to 'Swan Lake' and the ducks are busy either pairing off or fighting between themselves. Among the Mallards, one stands out.

He's only about half the size of the others and rather attractive too. There is undoubtedly a lot of mallard in him, but he is a hybrid - probably crossed with a much smaller domestic duck.

Heading for home, the reed beds of Pewit Carr caught the eye as they swayed in the breeze.

Nearby, the Blackthorn was beginning to show signs of blossom and a couple of early Hawthorn bushes have already opened their first shoots. Sure signs that Spring is on its way. As are the Snowdrops in our back garden...

Bright Start

It was indeed a very bright start this morning - if a little on the chilly side. Setting out along 'the farm walk', the sky was bright blue and the sun was shining.

Of course, the trees are still bare, but when seen against such a blue sky, they have a beauty all their own.

This old Oak still manages to appear green, even without its coat of leaves, thanks to a generous layer of moss, algae and lichens.

Frost was still clinging to the lower growing plants where the sunshine had not yet reached and looking out across the fields from Slack Lane, the skeleton of a dead tree stood out.

Further on past Mapperley Village and a Buzzard caught my eye as it flapped lazily into the top a distant holly tree. At this distance, it would have been a challenge for my old camera, but my new one coped fairly well.

By now, the clouds were gathering, so it was time to head home once more.

Recent Walks

We've been rather battered by high winds over the last few days and with intermittent showers, it hasn't been very nice to be out and about. So here are a few more pictures from recent walks we've enjoyed, starting with a very frosty scene.

At the end of January, we had a number of very chilly walks around Shipley Park and were treated to some rare sights, such as this frost-coated Pine.

The dry grasses drooped under the weight of frost.

When the frost thawed, everything just became wet, glistening in the sunlight.

I am always struck by the beauty of Silver Birch trees in winter, when the somewhat monochrome effect of the tree trunks is offset by the green of mosses and algae.

Over at Straw's Bridge, sparkling sunshine illuminated the heads of these Phragmites reeds.

The sunshine was also instrumental in brightening up an otherwise damp walk along this old mineral railway line.