A wild goose chase or 2!

Over the past few weeks there have been various reports of different geese on the Solway. Being local we made several trips down to see what we could see...some more successful than others! So here are the highlights....

The Lessonhall Ross' Goose ...

It finally moved from behind the wire which obscured the view...which in the first place was obtained through a narrow gap in the hedge!

Not a goose, but a Spoonbill just opposite Campfield Marsh turning.

Part of a huge flock of geese at Drumburgh - the Russian White-fronted Geese were easy enough to spot and we were lucky the single Taiga Bean Goose was with them, hence easy to spot! 

The 'orange- footed' Taiga Bean Goose.

Some signs of Spring!

 A walk round past the old church, Ireby. For once it was a bright-ish dry morning!

Nice Ivy textures...

Catkins.

Stigmaria trace fossil.

And a few Snowdrops...not as many as we remember but nice to see...

Enjoying the 'warmth'.

Ireby Old Church.

Part of two medieval grave slabs, that were built into the church during restoration in 1980

Catkins in the sun!

and then lambs too...

Moody Skiddaw.

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.