Autumnal wanders

The continuing good weather has been a real bonus for my local walks and explorations, paths are still mainly firm and dry and the boots are not getting too muddy!

 

The decision to retire from work has meant I can be more selective about when I head out too, which allows me to choose the best conditions for wildlife spotting and photography.

 

A short walk by the Leeds Liverpool canal brought me a lovely shot which displays the colours of the moorhen fairly well.

 

We get goosanders in reasonable numbers at this time of year, they are "sawbills" named after the serrated nature of their bill which allows them to keep a fair grip on anything they catch during their dives, this is a female.

 

Mistle thrushes can be hard to get close to, luckily I had a wall to hide behind as I approached this one!

 

More by luck than planning I extended my walk a little, a fortuitous move as I spotted a splendid little owl perched in a bush.

 

Our neighbouring valley of Wharfedale is a favourite destination, the river and woodland are home to many birds and visit there is always worthwhile.

 

Dippers are super subjects for photography as they often pause between their habitual "dips", watching them closely will reveal ample opportunities for shots.

 

There is no mistaking the season we are in despite the warmer than usual temperatures.

 

Another stroke of luck as I peered over a wall just in time to see a roe buck as it tried to escape my lens!

 

The fungi in the woodland were numerous and spectacular...

 

It can be quite difficult trying to monitor all that is around you, we try to look for any small movements even in the periphery of vision. It works too as a small bird moved from trunk to trunk we were able to follow and get a close look at this treecreeper, guess how it gets its name!

 

Another day, another Wharfedale visit, another dipper!

 

As my knowledge of birds and their habits develop I always check groups of blue tits because not only are they lovely little birds but they are often accompanied by the delightful long tailed tit.

 

Jackdaws are not the most popular birds and they can be rascals, their green eyes seen close are however quite entrancing...

 

Back by the canal again and sat enjoying a coffee in a favourite location, I am often visited by a little robin seeking crumbs from snacks.

 

Alerted by the chiding chattering call of a wren I readied the camera and got a super reward...

 

plus a bonus as a blue tit settled in the trees overhead...

 

A buzzard soared overhead, this shot is heavily cropped as it was high in the sky.

 

Sometimes days just get better, this one certainly did as I then found a long tailed tit..

 

...and roe deer wandered the fields down below me...

 

A few days later and I had reason to visit the outskirts of Leeds, I stopped off at Yeadon for a walk round the tarn and got a fairly close look at a great crested grebe.

 

The lovely feathers of this bird almost led to its extinction as they were much in demand as clothing accessories during Victorian times, happily we are more educated nowadays and the birds have made a strong comeback.

 

Many thanks to all who read my blog, don't forget if you do add a comment they come to me for moderation first.

18-21st April, checking out my local sites

With the warmth of Spring and the need for fresh air I took a wander up on Rombalds Moor, the nearest of the moorland habitats for me and it offers a wonderful array of routes back to Silsden,

 

It is the western end of what is more commonly known as Ilkley Moor but is generally quiet and lacks the number of walkers and runners found on the popular side. There are numerous paths and tracks to follow, most not on any map, some are virtually unfrequented and it will be no surprise that is these which I usually follow unless the weather is dire!

 

The advent of Spring brings forth beautiful creatures from their long winters....the peacock butterfly

 

Meadow pipits are another delightful returnee...

 

Wandering quietly the red grouse are not too unhappy with my company...

 

Skylarks were noisily and spectacularly ascending, what a soothing and relaxing day!

 

Another bird that returns to adorn the higher ground is the wheatear, I carefully watched then approached this male before taking my shot, forgetting I had just been attempting high speed skylark shots...grrrr at myself!

 

Settings corrected for another meadow pipit, this time a walltopper...

 

The walk back on the tarmac into town can hold delights for the discerning, the willow warbler has a lovely mournful three note song in descending volume .....

 

On a Bank Holiday weekend most locals would stay clear of Bolton Abbey, not us! A carefully planned early start and we had the first part of our woodland and river walk almost to ourselves, magic :)

 

The bluebells are beginning to thicken in the woods....

 

And a true miracle of nature, the pied flycatchers find their way back to the place of their birth...all the way from Africa.....could we?

 

 

Sitting quietly even common birds like blue tits come amazingly close...

 

Pausing for a break in a shelter a female chaffinch looked in with some curiosity...

 

Down by the river a dipper showed nicely ...

 

In the afternoon I had a walk by the Leeds Liverpool canal, an orange tip butterfly fluttered by and settled...

 

 

A dunnock posed ....

 

And I practised my flight shots on a pigeon :-)

 

Bank Holiday Monday...Malham, yes you read that correctly! Get up early is the answer and what delightful rewards...

 

A male redstart, another African migrant...

 

The female peregrine is thought to be sitting on eggs, great news indeed. I think this is the male taking a break but a very distant shot....

 

They are quite rightly concentrating on matters in hand, or more correctly nest right now. The peregrine project here is really successful, long may it continue.

 

Down by Malham Beck a pied wagtail...

 

Jackdaws can be rascals but each creature has its place in the wealth of things that adorn our wonderful wildlife...

 

A grey wagtail fluttered and flitted in the beck...

 

House martins collected nesting mud and frustrated my feeble photographic efforts...

 

 

 

A now scarce greenfinch was treasured....

 

And for the keen eyed bird watcher.... a bonus a tawny owl, but not much of it!

 

 

Thanks ever so much for all feedback....

 

Don't forget comments will not appear until I have moderated them :)

2nd-11th November 2013, Getting out when I can!

Some times it can be difficult to get out for a walk even when you are as eager as I always am!

The weather has been very changeable and more of my time has been required to look after my elderly Mum. On occasions there can be much more important things to consider than blog updates too.

On Saturday the 2nd the rain threatened to engulf the whole day around Airedale, as the day developed it did look as if may clear in the early afternoon though so with waterproofs already donned I set off.

Looking westwards I was optimistic...

Minutes later and it is absolutely bucketing down!!!

Optimism did not prove unfounded though and it soon cleared, a colourful magpie celebrated by taking to a tree top.

A lovely female mallard seemed happy in the new found sunshine too :-)

Looking back westwards again, much better!

I chanced upon a couple who were exercising a hawk and they explained it had been found injured as youngster, now better but not able to hunt in the wild it enjoyed finding dead rabbits. I was allowed close for some photographs of this beautiful goshawk,

A beautiful little robin appeared on a nearby fence...

The skies were now fantastic as I wandered back into town...

I found a swan taking a meal from the grasses on the bank...

One of the youngsters was nearby...

On Sunday we had a short walk over in Wharfedale our neighbouring valley, not friendly light for photography most of the time and raging levels of water meant opportunities were limited.

A chaffinch...

A nuthatch posing beautifully in a really natural setting...

Autumnal trees...

As we drove home the skies to the west drew our gaze and the camera came out again, Pendle Hill in the background under the blazing sun.

Nearer home we spotted  a hare in a field, unfortunately the light was too poor to get a good action shot.

With a dry evening in prospect I reckoned the water levels in Wharfedale would have fallen considerably the following Monday and I risked another journey over there.

A peaceful scene....and a tumbling side stream.

I was looking out for dippers, I found one but it was right by the far bank...and a goosander scared it away quite quickly !

I found a jackdaw observing proceedings from a tree...

...and eventually dippers came close to me, just as the light was going!

We had no time for a walk this Saturday with jobs around the house and family commitments, topped off by a pretty bad weather forecast!

Sunday was bright and cool and I found time for a couple of hours on my local moor. The walk was pleasant enough but I could not locate the grouse I come up here to see and photograph.

Eventually though...

The rowan berries have been decimated by strong winds...

And as patience surely works in the end some lovely close views of a red grouse..

Back to Wharfedale again on Monday, this accompanied by Isla my 10 year old grand-daughter. A training day at her school meant time for us to enjoy together, she loves all outdoor activities and really likes wildlife. On previous days out I have taught her to watch for dippers and that seemed a good way to spend a couple of hours.

We found a female goosander first...

Then our combined skills paid off as we located a pair of dippers which kept coming in fairly close.

A wonderful little excursion for us both :-)

Many thanks to all who read, it really is appreciated.

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