Well, we are at last experiencing some wintry weather but hopefully it will not spoil these daffodils which have been out on our local recreation ground since Christmas.
Both DH and I have had colds since just before the New Year but decided that we needed to get out and blow the cobwebs away so we went for a short walk today to Anton Lakes, a local nature reserve. I have to say it was really quite chilly with an icy wind blowing and for the first time this winter I really should have put some gloves on but it was still good to get some fresh air in our lungs.
We did manage to see a Goosander duck which is quite rare in these parts and a Kingfisher, unfortunately the photos I took of these birds didn't turn out particularly well as the Goosander was some way from us on the other side of the lake and the light wasn't good when we spotted the Kingfisher. It is always a pleasure to see Kingfishers as we don't see them very often, although we have seen a couple since Christmas, one on Boxing Day as we took a walk by the river in Kingsclere and now again today.
We also saw an elusive Water Rail but he didn't hang around to have his photograph taken and took to skulking in the bushes and weeds by the side of the river!
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| Goosander |
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| Love the reflections of the reeds in this little pond |
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| A view looking back to the main lake |
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| Lots of hungry waterfowl, unfortunately we didn't take any food to give them so once they realised we weren't going to feed them they swan off |
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| A majestic Mute Swan |
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| This photo shows how choppy the water on the lake was today |
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| And the stunning Kingfisher (not a fantastic photo but at least you can see what it is) |
We are so lucky that we have two nature reserves close by where we can enjoy spotting wildlife and occasionally see something a bit more unusual.
Until next time ....
Ooh you really aren't far from me. I know of Anton but have yet to visit it. Lovely set of photos and I know what you mean about needing to get out into fresh air :o)
ReplyDeleteLovely! It's turned chilly here too but not yet sunny! The daffodils here are just pushing up green shoots - so early - though not half as advanced as yours!
ReplyDeleteI like the way the light catches on the waves and the birds' plumage. How lovely to be close to places where you can watch these beautiful creatures. Hope your colds get better soon.
ReplyDeleteCathy x
The temperatures have dropped here too, its certainly feeling chilly. We still have rain though... Great to see the daffodils they really are early.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place to take a walk. It was very cold when I went out for a walk today, but it is as it should be isn't it! xx
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful photo's it looks like you had a lovely walk. :)
ReplyDeleteOooh lovely. I only seem to manage to see the tail feathers of kingfishers. Looks a great day at last. :-)
ReplyDeleteDaffodils already! Love the photographs of the lake - beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLiz
Oh, you already have daffodils?? So pretty--ours don't come until April... Wonderful photos, as always, Jan!
ReplyDeleteLovely photographs, Jan. The ones I have taken in recent weeks look as though they were taken in Black and white! No colour in the sky or sea, just grey, grey, grey.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the walk did you good even though it was cold and you felt under the weather; I grabbed the chance of a walk along the beach when we had a dry day - so uplifting to smell the ozone and feel the somewhat bracing wind.
What a wonderful place. I'm cheering up a damp and grey afternoon with some leftover Christmas cake and a spot of bloghopping and what a joy it was to land here and share in your heart lifting walk.
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