Fine Weather

We've had some lovely, fine weather over the last few days, so Malcolm and I have made the most of it and been out and about enjoying the sunshine and all the delights of the summer countryside. Starting with the lakes of Straw's Bridge.

Zooming in a little, we could see the beautiful Water Lilies more clearly. Not a native variety, they must have been put there deliberately, but they're very nice all the same.

Nearby, we thought we'd have a look at the meadows of Pewit Carr. This area is always filled with orchids at this time of year, but you have to make the most of the short season.

In fact, the whole meadow was bursting with wild flowers and grasses.

Buttercups and Clover, Meadowsweet and Common Spotted Orchids all made quite a spectacle, for us as well as the bees and butterflies.

Things have been equally colourful at the other end of Shipley Park, as we found out whilst walking around Mapperley Reservoir the other day.

Hundreds of tiny fish fry were swimming about under these (native) lily pads, keeping away from the coots and geese.

At Osborne's Pond, we were delighted to see a family of Mute Swans, mother, father and two small cygnets. One of which was feeling in need of a lift!

He looked quite comfortable from the vantage point of his mother's back.

But he wasn't giving up his post to his sibling.