Insh Marshes

The Insh Marshes are a 10 sq km nature reserve of the river Spey floodplain and they provided  pleasant stop on our way to Nethybridge. The lichens on the trees were spectacular and you got the feeling if you stood still for too long, you too would be encrusted! 

Looking over the marshes.

Patterning on the fallen Aspen leaves ....

A good lichen blob!

And a Snow Goose!

We then drove along through Insh to the loch...

More nice mosses and lichens.

Hoof fungus.

The bird at the back is a Smew....

Scarlet Elf cups

 There is a fabulous display of these colourful fungi, just along the lane from us. 

Red's walk

Another glorious day, so a walk with a friend and her dog, Red. Mawbray never fails to deliver.

Looking across to Criffel.

Little Egret.

An exposure of red clay.

Many of the groynes are worse for wear!

Red...

As it was coming up to high tide, we skirted inland to avoid disturbing the birds.

Popping our heads slowly over the top of the grass.....plenty of Oystercatchers.

Together with Bar-tailed Godwits.

As usual though, a dogwalker let his dog run through the roost....a real problem at this site.

Looking inland - the snow is disappearing.

 

Wedholme Flow Golden Hour

 A glorious late afternoon walk, with snow on the fells as a perfect backdrop.

Splendid Skiddaw.

Female Stonechat.

Pinkfeet in formation.

Hair's-tail Cottongrass - nearly over. 

Reflections.

A wintery veil.

A possible painting...

Sunset.

And some Whoopers in the evening light.

The Guillemots are back!

We thought it might be a bit early for seabirds at St Bees, but it was a gorgeous day so we fancied a cliff walk anyway. It wasn't as nice at St Bees as at home, rather hazy, but it was so good to drink in the smells and sounds of the occupied rookeries.

Whooper Swans off the coast.

Guillemots.

Herring Gulls beginning to pair up.

The rookeries are filling up!

The left hand bird is a Bridled Guillemot.

Cliff top.

Sandstone...

Stone Chat.

One of several Chiff Chaffs - seen but not heard.