It was never going to be easy returning after such an exciting and eventful trip to Scotland, but necessary things have to be addressed and dealt with.
The opportunity to visit the splendid Rodley Wildlife Reserve occurred, run totally by volunteers on the outskirts of Leeds this is a wonderful place to spend a few hours...
A black swan, elegant and beautiful but very aggressive towards the native mute swans!
Little grebes are wonderful, quirky and occasionally noisy like a whinnying horse, on a small scale!
Blue demouiselles were in the mood for love...
Many species to enjoy, my last bird sighting for the day was a male bullfinch, cracking birds
On my way back to the car I spotted a superb female broad bodied chaser...
Looking after a little grand-daughter later in the day we saw a lovely swallow taking a rest....
After explaining the migration instincts and directions and distances to a very patient and interested little lady I needed a rest...however alert eyes spotted a poorly looking hedgehog on our drive!
I was nominated (surprise!) to don some gloves and inspect the poor thing, its eyes were bright enough and its joints were OK, we decided to pop it under a shrub and monitor it for while. Maybe a pellet infected slug had been eaten and induced some lethargy, happily soon after it seemed re-invigorated and moved on.
Another day, another joyous experience...the RSPB have done a tremendous job at Malham, peregrine falcons breeding successfully for over twenty years. This year there are four chicks and we took our five year old grand daughter up there for the first time.
The many steps to the top of the cove get more of a challenge as we get older but with a youngster charging up in front the time passed very quickly! From nervous beginnings scrambling and climbing the limestone outcrops became great fun as Jaime followed my promptings, her confidence soared, wonderful!
A peregrine in flight...
We found a green woodpecker feeding...
Two of the peregrine chicks appeared on the nest ledge...
The adult female took a rest from feeding duties quite near to us ...
A few days later I had the chance to visit Leighton Moss RSPB reserve, a treasured place...although the weather forecasts were not promising!
First sighting a juvenile reed bunting on the rain soaked reeds...
I had good otter sightings through my binoculars, and occasional views of marsh harrier...
Patient work got me a lovely view of a reed warbler with a meal :)
Preparing to feed its youngsters, it was another reminder of the cycles of life.
Time spent with our grand daughters is special, once upon a time that was me!
Many thanks to all who view, don't forget if you do comment they come to me first for moderation.
