Feathered Friends

With a couple of walks at nearby Hestercombe Gardens,

I encountered the resident Swan.

So beautiful & graceful on the water,

but I'm aware that they can have an agressive nature.

As I walked alongside the lake,

the swan followed aswell,

finally emerging from the water in hot pursuit of me!

♥ ♥ ♥

I'm sure the Swan must be fed by the staff.

Most probably thought I had more food!

As my pace quickened,

 the Swan returned to the lake.

With the walk on Friday,

as I walked around,

a Robin would reappear at intervals.

On one of these occasions,

the Robin dared to get closer & closer,

a perfect opportunity

 to take photos of a favourite bird

 I love to see.

Can honestly say I never felt alone on either of these walks.

100th Post

This is my 100th Posting! 

 Amazed, as this has been quite a journey since  my blog began  last July.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed progressing with all the post I’ve composed.

 

It’s made me far more aware of  everything I would usually take for granted,

 or not even take a second glance at sometimes.

  I think I’m much more appreciative of nature & certainly of my cameras!

Now, I am usually taking a camera with me at all times,

 as I’ve realised that you never now when it’s going to be needed.

A special friend of mine,
 gave me his DSLR Canon camera,
 as he was updating his before Christmas,
which I well appreciated!

So, as it was my 50th birthday this year,

 I treated myself to a Macro lens  to use with it.

I certainly have not looked back. 

  I am really enjoying photographing what interest me,

and look forward to going to new places,

 besides exploring my immediate surroundings.

 

I have also thoroughly enjoyed following other blogs. 

  I feel they offer other insights, 

 full of inspiration & friendship. 

  Long may this continue!

 

Thank You all for leaving your kind comments,

 I may not always acknowledge these comments,

 but I do  sincerely appreciate them!

Winter @ Slimbridge

More sences from Slimbridge,

but much to our surprise,

the Wetland Centre is undergoing some major changes. 

 Mechanical equipment occupied some of the area rather than birds,

changing the landscape of the lagoons close to the main building.

Much of the plant life had been cut back,

no doubt in readiness for another growing season

But with this reinvention of the area,

other views were evident,

 giving the landscape a new prospective at the present.

Despite all the changes taking place,

 it was still an enjoyable day out.

The last view I captured,

 was of the bronze bust of  the late,  Sir Peter Scott,

 founder of the Wetland Centre in 1946,

with a Gull resting on his head.

As he had worked hard to establish this centre for birds & wildfowl,

it's quite appropriate.

In a Flap

Flamingo's at Slimbridge

Elegance

Such a stunning bird, the Demoiselle Crane.

A very elegant bird in every way

Their home at Slimbridge, Gloucester.

Visited there yesterday on a very cold but calm day.

A very relaxed day.

~   ~   ~   Photo shoot over now   ~   ~   ~

Resting!

In The Park

Further to my recent walk in Vivary Park,

one of the impressive structures to be view is the Bandstand,

exceptional with its intricate ironwork.

As you stroll around the park,

you pass the pond with elaborate statues adorning the central column.

Even the birds are catered for,

 with a very large oversized birdhouse.

As you  enter & leave the park, a huge war memorial stands solid,

 respectfully, poppy wreaths are still in place from last November.

A cricket ground is situated at one end of the park.

Alongside the park, there is also a golf course,

& this weathervane is appropriately overlooking the bowling green

~   ~   ~   ~

The total atmosphere was very tranquil.

It was good to take your time to stroll at a leisurely pace.

Wildlife in the Park

Yesterday afternoon, after I had finished work for the week,

I decided to get some fresh air before heading home.

We have so much in our local area,

 that we often take it for granted & don't even appreciate what is there to see.

After a walk through the town centre

& towards the top of the High Street,

 I choose to walk around one of the towns oldest & largest parks, Vivary Park. 

A couple of Squirrels caught my attention as I walked.

The one I was able to photograph stood motionless at first,

as he had sensed my prescence,

then he proceeded to bury his food he had started eating,

before darting through the grass & up the nearest tree,

but leaving his scent trails behind to enable him to find his food at a later date.

Further on, by the stream that flowed alongside the park,

there was alot of movement & commotion

coming from the Goose that was busy flapping his wings.

Also plenty of Mallard Ducks to be seen,

Just love the photo of the female duck above preening her feathers.

The park is a favourite haunt to see children feeding the ducks,

 today a pair of Mute Swans were positioned well in front,

 aiming to get as much as they can.

An afternoon well spent. . . .  .

Flooding on the Levels

Totally amazed to the extent of the flood water on the Somerset Levels. . . .

Definitely covering field after field. . . .

Although some preventive work was completed some years ago,

to help stop flooding,

 this was definitely apparent it hadn't worked in this corner of the Levels.

Fortunately, it didn't invade the road going to Street that was very closeby.

I just wonder how long this will linger. . . .

So Close

A couple of weeks, just before Xmas,

this Blackbird took me by surprise,

as he was so close to the house

 & remained so for quite awhile.

I was in the kitchen, oblivous at first of his presence.

I happened to stop what I was doing & he caught my attention.

Thought he may fly off as I continually stared out of the window,

 but he seemed determined to stay.

 Every now & then,

he hopped along the ground in search of insects & worms.

In fact, he stayed long enough for me to get my camera.
He certainly wasn't camera shy either.

Pleasant Surprise

A cold but relatively bright start to the New Year.

A drive to the nearby Quantocks via Kilve in the early afternoon.

Parked up to an area that lead to several footpaths onto the Quantock Hills.

While parked in the car park, spotted a Robin.

Such inquisitive birds, but such a tease, especially the one that frequents my garden.

Not been lucky enough yet to photograph this one.

But today was going to make up for that.

It was so cold that very soon felt the chill of the day with feet & hands becoming nearly numb.

The ground was predominantly firm as the frost & ice had well & truly set in.

The fallen leaves & now brown bracken was tinged with white,

 a very wintery look to add to the day, but at least no sign of rain.

Just a cold crisp day!  

A lovely start for the 1st January 2010!

Max thoroughly enjoyed his walk,

& he even ignored me when I called him,

 he was also trying to make the most of the day!

A new camera lense to practice with,

 so was well & truly looking for the delights of nature,

as I was eager to use the macro setting.

I wasn't disappointed.

The homemade soup on our return home thankfully helped us to thaw out!