very cold weekend

Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th Feb

Been out a lot this weekend so not what I would call a real walkabouts, so have shown the best of my photos from the past two days, was very cold this weekend, not too bad when the wind dropped but mighty cold when it was blowing, me feet are still thawing out.

And to top it all the central heating has just given up the ghost, hope we can get that fixed soon.

Had the crystal ball out experimenting for a bit of fun.

Got out just a touch too late for a good sunrise, sun burnt out here.

Mistle thrush giving me the eye.

Always nice to see the catkins and daffodils.

This jay was just over the road from me, looks like he had got a sandwich from someone's garden.

The following are a few flight shots, which is an enjoyable challenge.

I don't take many crow shots, but they can look quite graceful in the air.

And my last one from the weekend was this squirrel, he saw me and just froze.

Frosty and cold day out over the fields

Saw some bright light through the bedroom window so although I was nice and warm I jumped out of me bed, quick cup of brew and was off out and up the pool, love seeing the sunlight looking like this on the way.

Not surprised when I saw part of the pool froze over, but love it when the sun is shining low like this.

Love the eyes on the heron, so piercing

Nice to see the Great Crested Grebes wandering round the pool, a touch too far away to get a decent shot.

Had to take the wife shopping this morning, so time was pressing and reluctantly went back home for a nice warm drink then a visit to town, shopping and stocked up with bird seed.

Then a quick hour or so before lunch, walked up the lane to Edna's Tomb, found a new log on the way so set that up but with only seeing one bird in just under an hour I gave that up and went for a walkabout, along the foxes run past the sale field which was rather noisy today, a steady walk down to the fishing pool and then past the swamp, along the grey lady's cloisters and finally back home. 

Think that is the quietest walkabout I've ever had, part of one of my regular walks and hardly see a bird.

This is the biggest bird I saw this morning.

Undeterred I had lunch and went back out again, set the log up again at Edna's Tomb, did get 3 birds this time, saw a couple of bramblings, missed a shot as I was talking :-) 

Saw Kestrel a few times and plenty of passing birds overhead, most of which looked like finches.

This little blue tit was getting a bit greedy, that peanut i almost as big as his head!

Always nice to see the dunnock.

Even the robin only showed once which is very unusual.

Quite a few photographers and birders wandering around again.

Had a walk down to the dead man's allotment where I met Jason, had a chat for a while and then called it a day, it was so cold, nice brisk walk back up Christmas Lane and was soon back in the house with a nice hot cup of brew.

Tuesday 20th Feb

Due to work and other things I only managed an hour out, so popped down to Stonechat's Lane, met up with Jason and Brett for a chat, had a walk along the lane where I got my closest shot yet of a stonechat and also a meadow pipit.

Didn't see a lot else about so had a little go with my crystal ball.

Was surprised as the BBC opened and closed the Midlands weather with the shot below.

This one is just a straight shot of the sky.

Quite pleased with this one looking over the field, will be doing some more experiments with the crystal ball methinks.

Had a look again over the dead man's allotment, all was quiet apart from 3 buzzards flying around over the trees but too far out for any decent photos.

Hopefully some more interesting posts to come in a couple of days time.

Wednesday 21 Feb 2018

Took my grand-daughters down the lane to see the horses, here's Martha with her Fuji compact, she's getting very good with it, not bad for a 6 year old.

And one her photos with Rosie sneaking into the picture.

Quiet weekend

Yes a quiet weekend, Saturday wasn't too bad and on reflection I should have gone for a walkabout instead of spending most of the day trying to get some birds in flight.

This stonechat was my best shot of the day which doesn't say a lot for the others.

Poor photo as it was so far away.

A short walk on the saturday saw me start at Captains, couple of gooseanders at the top end of the pool, the gaps in the hedge at the bottom of the lane have been filled in, but they won't stay for that very long I'm sure, on my walk back I noted some of the branches had been removed.

Top of the lane by Edna's Tomb were long tailed tits and some corn buntings (I think).

Lots of people roaming around with scopes and bins and a couple of people with long lenses, it's always busy round here at this time of the year.

Bottom fields were full of starlings, fieldfare and redwings.

Sunday 18.02.2018

With a touch of light in the sky I set off with just the bridge camera, intentions of walking to Shenstone via Stone, the dead man's allotment was covered with a flock of finches of which the bulk were goldfinches, could well have been other species amongst them.

A steady walk along stonechats lane revealed nothing apart from lots of crows, not even a raptor in sight, walked up through Stone, even when it's dull it's a pleasant walk, but then the drizzle came, not a lot but enough to make me turn round, a few pictures below show how dull it was, hope my next walk is more exciting.

This is as far as I got!

Croome Court

Well it started off as a very nice sunny day, so we decided to pay our first visit of the year to Croome Court which is near Worcester and is a National Trust property.

We walked down and make our usual amble down to the lake, first thing we spotted was the heron having a clean, walk around down by the stream and then made our way to the Chinese Bridge, from there it was past the house and up the bank to the Rotunda and then back to the car park. Nothing exciting but felt good to stretch our legs.

Pictures below in no particular order.

There are views of Broadway Tower and then turn around for a great view of The Malvern Hills.

After arriving home I had a quick wander over the fields, but only saw the usual suspects, quite a few long tail tits around Edna's Tomb, they didn't stay too long as a kestrel was around.

Although a sunny day it did cloud over and I didn't stay out too long. 

Had 3 images on the BBC weather watchers this week, which are below..