Things are warming up!

How heartening to witness the sun appearing more often and the temperatures warming up, the paths and tracks have had chance to dry and become more pleasant to walk and the trees and bushes are beginning to gain colour and foliage.

 

The great migration of birds is well under way and some much anticipated arrivals can be sought with the reasonable expectation of success!

 

An opportunity for an hour or so by the canal and I was out in bright warm sunshine...

 

I think this is blackthorn blossom, a cute little robin popped out...

 

Near Silsden the wonderful chiffchaff sang its name constantly :-) 

A few days later and I was in Wharfedale checking the woods by the river, treecreepers are a real test for camera skills, rarely still and usually seen disappearing to the invisible side of a tree trunk!!

 

The fungi are numerous in the woods, no idea of the name though....

 

How many members of the duck family nest up trees? Not sure, I think goldeneye and goosander do...and mandarin which is why this male was keeping on eye on the nest site...

 

 

Another robin shot...

 

You may spot a few rain drops, not the best of weather on this occasion. The day was made more special by quite a close encounter with a male great spotted woodpecker..

 

Continuing my walk by the river I caught a bit of a long distance view of a dipper...

 

The support and help from family enabled us to head eastwards to the Humber estuary for an overnight stay. Blacktoft Sands RSPB reserve is renowned for spectacular sightings and the stay enabled two lengthy explorations. Quite a compact reserve but we were well rewarded with good views through the binoculars and telescope, photography can be difficult from hides and having been on flight settings I was only just able to grab a shot as a red fox at first strolled then ran past one of our early hides!

We had some beautiful views of avocets...

 

The marsh harriers displayed well, male and female respectively...

 

A shelduck came in close...

 

On the Sunday we had tree sparrows by the car, once very common they are disappearing quickly as hedges are replaced by post and wire fences...sad..

 

The marsh harriers continued to delight...

 

 

And a little grebe popped up quite near :-)

 

A great deal of excitement during the day for the bird watching specialists as cranes and a quite rare green winged teal had been spotted, we saw both but at very long distance. A much appreciated couple of days away :)

 

Back home and the Bank Holiday weekend, I had a walk up on one of my local moors. First good sight of the day a wonderful peacock butterfly...

 

The meadow pipits are back...

 

Always a likelihood of seeing grouse up here...

 

Wheatears are delightful seasonal visitors, a male...

 

Another of my real favourites on my way back to town, willow warbler. The splendid descending notes of their song is really special...

 

On Sunday we planned a very early get up and start to beat the traffic and get to Wharfedale very early...worthwhile too :-)

 

Pied flycatcher are just so lovely, a delightful song and beautiful plumage, the fact they only come here for the spring and summer to breed is to be marvelled at, it is a long way from Africa to come back to where instinct tells you you were born, the magic of nature....

 

 

The carpet of bluebells in the woods is developing...

 

Sitting quiet and still we had a very close encounter with a blue tit!

 

A female chaffinch peered at us curiously...

And finally for the day another long distance dipper...

 

The Leeds Liverpool canal is only minutes from home, another hour to spare, another short walk....orange tip butterfly...

 

A lovely dunnock...

 

And practising my flight shots a pigeon preparing to land...

 

Many thanks to all for bearing with me through a difficult time, love for family is uppermost in my thoughts and concentration, escapes with wildlife provide relief and solace and most importantly relaxation.

 

Don't forget if you do wish to comment that they come to me first for moderation, a big thanks to all who view and especially those who do comment.