Another collection of varied sightings

Still not much chance of lengthy walks but I have managed to get out for short wanders occasionally, the sun has started to shine more often and the warmth levels are rising.

 

One such opportunity recently allowed me another chance to walk a decent length along the Leeds Liverpool canal towpath, it was a bright and sunny day for much of the time.

 

A lovely moorhen showed nicely...

 

 

A goldfinch posed well near the top of a tree...

 

 

I had a bit of post photo editing to do to achieve this effect of a swan...

 

 

And a similar effect on some lovely snowdrops...

 

 

Learnt a lesson in how auto focus works when a bird is facing away from you as I caught this blackbird, notice how the rear end is in sharp focus and the beak not!

 

The next sighting caused some confusion even after arriving home and checking my books, help arrived from a good friend and this is likely to be a hybrid Canada and greylag goose...

 

I continued to venture out whenever the opportunity occurred, even half an hour can be rewarding by the waterside.

 

One such little outing brought me a lovely shot of a blue tit...

 

...and a robin ventured really close to me..

 

Sometimes instinct takes over and just the distant shape told me this was a little owl perched on a barn roof 150 yards away...

 

Getting to know the swans is important for me at this time of year, if they know you hostile behaviour is far less likely at nesting and hatching and rearing times, I have been really close and never suffered any untoward behaviour.

 

We had a short drive to Yeadon Tarn one Sunday, a bit of a cold bleak day but plenty to see and a place to return to.

 

A tufted duck, male....

 

 

There were five great crested grebes close to shore, maybe due to the fiercely cold wind all were hunkered down...

 

 

Another canal walk and I was looking out over the fields, this little rabbit came up really close, cutey...

 

An hour to spare and dry weather, easy choice...my local moor, favourite place and the grouse were out, skylarks were singing and meadow pipits were flying about.

 

The larks and pipits will hopefully be captured by the lens later...

 

Fascinating and lovely birds.

 

Once more by the canal and I find a synchronised swan family practising..

 

A Canada goose in reflective mood...

 

And one I see so often and in this light the colours show superbly, the male mallard....

 

Many thanks to all who look and read, comments are much appreciated but they come to me first for approval. The blog is now away on location near the west coast for a few days, updates could be possible !!!