Walking in the Caldew

As it is so dry, there was an opportunity to explore the river Caldew, in rather a different manner... The bedrock is limestone, so there were lots of scoured and eroded blocks - a strange kind of limestone pavement and a few fossils too.

Limestone riverbed blocks....

Scoured ....

..and scalloped.

Reflections.....

Fossils: solitary coral, colonial corals, Brachiopod and Crinoid cross sections.

Hesket Newmarket riverside walk

As the fabulous weather continues. a late afternoon walk from Hesket along the river Caldew to Water's Meet. The sun was dropping and it was generally cloudy, but when the clouds let the sun through, the light was lovely.

Carpets of Wild Garlic.

The ancient woodland indicator species - Herb Paris.

Herb Paris.

Meadow Saxifrage and Dandelions.

Goldilocks Buttercup and Water Avens.

Bluebells on 'The Island'.

Wild Garlic and Bluebells......

Wild Garlic....

Caldbeck to Hesket Newmarket river walk

A glorious day, again, and a break from gardening by way of a riverside walk. The Wood Anemones were at their best - not rain and wind battered as they usually are! A few Primroses, Violets, the first Wild Garlic and the first Bluebells. The main woodland Bluebell area is yet to begin flowering - those out were beside the path near Caldbeck. The leaves of the Herb Paris were just showing, as was the first Toothwort. Lots of Peacock butterflies too.

Blackthorn ...

Wood Anemones....

It's been dry recently!

The winter's gales have felled quite a few trees.

Most of the Bluebells aren't in bud yet.

Ancient woodland indicator species: Herb Paris.

An aroma of Wild Garlic....

The first Garlic...

Toothwort......

One of many Peacock butterflies.

Caldbeck to Hesket Newmarket riverside walk

A regular walk for us, but the first one of the year....Surprised to see the first Bluebell of the year! Lots of Willow Warblers singing and nice to see a pair of Comma butterflies. The Wood Anemones and Celandines were spectacular in the sunshine and the first Toothwort is just coming through. The Wild Garlic is just beginning, in places, to come into bud - Spring is here! A pint in the Old Crown, as always, completed a lovely walk. 

Enjoying the sun. 

Blue sky ...

Wood Anemones.

The Gorge.

Toothwort and below ...

Zonked! 

Caldbeck to Hesket ...a riverside walk.

This is a walk we do quite regularly, especially in the spring. Although the spring flowers are well over - it is still to be recommended! 

Slow worm! 

So lovely to see...

A silage scalping.

The river is 'running' low. 

Not very pretty, but nice to find some new patches of toothwort.

Rhagium bifasciatum ..a lovely long horn beetle. 

Caldbeck to Hesket Newmarket

Well it's that time of year again - time to do the riverside walk and check on the spring flowers....and butterflies..

Wood anemones - not quite at their best yet. 

Prinroses with a bee fly. 

An early bluebell.

Speckled wood. 

Comma.

Toothwort.

Toothwort.

Dipper.