Green Woodpecker...

In them midst of yet more dreich weather, it was nice to go and collect my Green Woodpecker after firing, and place him on our back lawn.

The Woodpecker ....

In situ.

Closer up...

Whinlatter Fell

It was rather a 'fresh' day, but oh, so good to be out! Not a long walk and very nice to be able to have a coffee in the Whinlatter Visitor Centre at the end.

Looking across Keswick to Skiddaw.

'Terrible tusks, terrible claws and terrible teeth in his terrible jaws' ... the Gruffalo that is!

Looking across North Cumbria and into Scotland.

Looking across to Grisedale Pike and Hopegill Head. 

Low cloud.

The obligatory summit photo.

...and sunshine....

Wintery.

Leighton Moss

 A glorious sunny and calm day after yesterday's storm. A strong light made photography challenging.

The view from Lillian's hide.

Teal and Pintail.

Pintail....

Shoveler....

Great White Egret.

The Teal were very active: buzzing round...

And a Marsh Harrier.

After the main reserve it was down to the coastal hides - no birds, but a nice sunset!

Gaitbarrows' Pavement

A trip down south! First stop was a quick walk around Gaitbarrows NNR. The light was low, the pavement damp, the surface very slippery! Lots of patterns and inspiration for artwork.

A lovely expanse....

Criss-cross patterns.

I like the contrast of the flat scoured surface to the wrinkled gryke sides.

The sun began to cast light into the grykes.

The dark patches were damp and lethal.

A lovely woodland light.

 

Whitbarrow embroidery

A rather uncharacteristic piece of work form me: a detailed, hand stitched embroidery. Inspiration was  the top of Whitbarrow Scar in South Cumbria.

The top of Whitbarrow.

The finished piece with detail below...

Top end of Derwentwater

Rather than walk the whole way round the lake, we decided to do the best bit. We parked in the Kettlewell carpark - lots of spaces mid week January - and walk through the temperate rainforest at Lodore; across to Chinese Bridge and then out across the Mansty boardwalk to the cottage at the far side of the lake. Rocky really enjoyed himself, as did Rowan....as did we!

On arrival at Kettlewell there was a raft of Tufted Duck, with a couple of Greater Scaup.

Greater Scaup.

And into the rainforest....

A spectacular Dog Lichen sp. 

Looking towards Skiddaw.

Dipper.

Sunshine! Chinese Bridge.

The 'Jaws of Borrowdale'. Castle Crag.

Blencathra.

Birch bark.

A pair of Ring-necked Duck.

Skiddaw and Blencathra.

Rowan paying attention!

Great Mell Fell

A quick walk up this little Wainwright with Rocky and Rowan. The highlight was Rocky managing to get up and down ok, but also the lichens. There were many fallen trees, mainly Larch, that were smothered in both mosses and lichens.

Rowan, after a very vigorous roll in the grass.

Looking into the Lakes.

Snow remnants.

Our Rocky.

Fallen Larch.

Fruiting bodies.

..and some lovely lichens....

A decent panorama.

Wind sculpted ....

Oak galls....