Wansfell Pike and Braystones

A decent and dryish day on the fell. Starting from Ambleside it was up straight up onto Wansfell Pike with some cracking views over Lake Windermere. Then along a rather damp and slushy ridge to Baystones - the true summit of Wansfell and regarded as the Wainwright Wansfell for purists. I doubt I am a Wainwright purist, especially for my second round, but it made a day of it and meant we had a more gentle descent via Nanny Lane into Troutbeck (sandwiches on the bench in the rain) before skirting round Wansfell via Robin Lane. Lane may have been a debatable term, given the stream-like nature, in places, of both lanes. Rocky will be tired, bless him, but he loved it - especially the ridge, the Ravens and snow. 

Stock Ghyll.

How are those boulders not falling down?

Wintery Pikes.

The Kirkstone Pass.

From Wansfell Pike along the ridge towards Braystones.

Windermere.

Chasing ravens!

Baystones summit.

And into Troutbeck.

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!