Swan Lake

There was just time for a quick walk to Straw's Bridge this morning, so we took advantage of the sunshine and headed off. There was no sign of the Egyptian Goose today, but I still have one picture from a few days ago.

There were however, lots of Swans on the lake. Two of them were getting a little romantic until a Mallard decided to put a stop to all that.

Several swans decided to take off while we watched, but a few of them had second thoughts and came back.

One particularly magnificent Cob, was master of all he surveyed.

Just one more picture of this gorgeous chap.

Sunshine!

We managed to get out again this morning, although with everywhere being so wet and muddy, we opted for an easy life and only went as far as Straw's Bridge again. The low, Winter sunshine, was lovely as we stood looking across the lakes.

As there was very little breeze, we had some great reflections to enjoy too.

On 'Swan Lake', the usual crowd, were enjoying the seed and breadcrumbs provided. This domestic Goose was looking his normal, belligerent self.

The Swans were looking wonderful as usual...

and plenty of background noise was being provided by the Black-headed Gulls.

Among them all, the exotic-looking Egyptian Goose was still in residence and seemed to have made friends with the Greylags.

Cold

This morning, despite the gloomy weather and the coldest morning of the season so far, we bravely set out to do 'the farm walk'. Gone were the blue skies of a few weeks ago....

and instead, we had leaden skies and lingering mist.

We were convinced the sun was still up there somewhere, but it was struggling to make its presence felt this morning.

Looking back along the path, things were definitely looking wintry.

The Oaks are hanging on to their leaves for a few more days yet, but have taken on a golden hue, brightening up a dull day.

Up through the woods, the brook is still gushing with water after all the rain.

There are still a few fabulous fungi to be found around the trunks of the Birch trees...

and if you look closely, you might find these wonderful little Fairy Cup Lichens, or Cladonia.

Rain, Rain and More Rain

Things have been a bit quiet on the blog lately. All the rain we've been having, has rather put a stop to most of our walks and when it has been fit to get out and about, we've had to do more mundane things, such as shopping. So it was a treat to be out in the sunshine this morning, even if we had to be vary careful where we walked, to avoid flooded footpaths and seas of mud.
We decided a short walk to Straw's Bridge was probably the best idea and as we walked along, the sun on the hedgerow Maples, was glorious.

As we got to the Nutbrook Canal, it became clear just how much rain we've had. We haven't seen it this full for quite some time.

Indeed, it was obvious, that sometime during the night, the water must have been up and over the path, as it had been washed clear of fallen leaves and mud. So we were lucky that the levels had dropped a little by this morning.

Further on, near the golf course, the old canal has been 'piped' and an overflow channel built, but here too, the water was rushing through.

Time for a short video here I think - trying not to fall in, or be blown in by the gusty wind...

There was no way through Pewit Carr this morning, as the footpath through there, was under several inches of flowing water.

Even across the reed beds, where you normally can't see standing water at all, it was quite obvious this morning.

So, on to Straw's Bridge and all that tip-toeing through puddles and by-passing mud, was rewarded with some lovely Autumn views across 'Swan Lake'.