Maryport harbour

Whilst going across to Maryport to collect fresh fish from the Chelaris trawler this morning, I took a photographic wander....loving the colours and textures..

Return to Chobham Common SSSI

As it is the last weekend before his course starts, Tom took advantage of Saturday's good weather and went to Chobham Common to explore some of the vast reserve that he had missed on my previous visit. His highlight had to be the Dartford warblers which, despite being a nightmare to photograph, he managed to get a better photograph of (than the last trips black blob).

Chobham Common.

Dartford Warbler.

Ruddy Darter.

Fly agaric.

Crypress pug found in the morning at a light
 and a pine carpet found appropriately in an area of pine.

Fossil bivalve and possible bryozoan imprint in chert nodule. 

Common blue. 

Common blue.

Autumn has arrived

 With the first significant frost on Friday night and the arrival of pink feet geese, autumn has arrived. A walk round Wedholme Flow NNR confirmed this with the deer grass turning red and a few fungi appearing - it's been too dry for there to be much at the moment. 

Pink feet above  the moss....

Autumn.

The larger fungi are bovine boletus, Suillus bovinus, which are found under pine trees.
Next to them is a 'rosy spike' Gomphidius roseus,
which is thought to be parasitic on the boletus and in a three way relationship of
pine tree: bovine bolete and rosy spike. 

Looking across to Criffel.

Looking back to Skiddaw. 

Black darter and poplar hawkmoth caterpillar.

Beda Fell and Rest Dodd

Well we set off in good time, but the carpark at Hartsop was full...as was the Cow Bridge one at Brothers Water and the one in Patterdale...

We had intended to park at Hartsop and walk up Rest Dodd and onto the Nab with the option of crossing down to Beda Fell as well. But Plan B came into operation when we were able to park at Deepdale Bridge. So up to Boredale Hause it was and then the lovely ridge to Beda Fell - overlooking Boredale and Martindale. We then came back to Angle Tarn, a keen wind had developed, and across to Satura Crags and Rest Dodd. I can't say I was overly impressed with Rest Dodd the way we did it - just a large lump....maybe it would have been better in nice weather. Anyway, looking down onto The Nab we decided that walking there would be fine, but the ascent back over Rest Dodd for a second time was a no go - in retrospect the right decision. Coming up The Nab from Martindale Church looked far preferable! 

Looking back towards Boredale Hause as we climbed onto Beda Fell Knotts
...the summit of Beda Fell is infact right at the end of the ridge. 

The obligatory summit photograph.

Beda Fell over-looking Ullswater.

Looking across to Rest Dodd and The Nab.

Our return from Beda Fell towards Angle Tarn.

Angle Tarn. 

The summit of Rest Dodd ...rather cool! 

Looking down onto The Nab ...no ascent today!....

Lunch out of the wind at Angle tarn.

..and back - Brothers Water.

And Ullswater ....16 more Wainwrights left for the dog to do. 

Hesket Newmarket linocut

 I always love going to get things from the framers....and this morning picked up three framed prints of Hesket Newmarket. I now have three different views of this picturesque north Cumbrian village. ....so time to revisit Caldbeck and Ireby for some new views. 

Green Crag - Ulpha Fell

After our day off on Saturday, when we walked round Buttermere we headed off up the Corny Fell Road do do another Wainwright. It was rather warm ....delightful...and we only saw two people. The views couldn't have been better! 

Looking across to Green Crag.

And down to the Duddon....

Devoke Water with the Isle of Man in the distance.

Across to Crook Crags. 

The summit of Green Crag.

Lakeland mini paintings

These are 7cm x 7cm mini paintings on canvas. They are fiddly to do, especially as I only use a palette knife! I have regular best sellers, but it was lovely to do some new scenes.... I only do four of any scene at a time otherwise they tend to lose accuracy. They each come with an easel and cost £8 with free delivery in the UK. Several people have asked for specific scenes of other fells, so there will be more coming ...feel free to comment or message me if you would like one. 

Blencathra.

Buttermere, Ennerdale,
Bassenthwaite from Binsey and Blencathra.

Carrock Fell, Bannerdale Crags from Bowscale Fell
and two of the Solway.

Buttermere reflections

Saturday's weather was perfect for reflections....

Buttermere perfection

Following our tather long walk round the Kentmere Horseshoe on Friday we walked round Buttermere on the Saturday. Getting there relativley early was a good plan as parking was filling up rapidly when we arrived and it was quite busy for the return leg of the lake - outeard bound though was lovely and quiet. The stillness of the lake made for some beautiful reflections! 

Looking towards Fleetwith Pike.

Swallows waiting to depart ...

Reflections....

Gooseanders....

A beautiful Herdie. 

Snoozing.....

Looking towards Haystacks ...

...and back to the Lake.

The top end of the lake and Fleetwith Pike.... 

....and across the lake to High Snockrigg.