Leighton Moss in the rain

Being as we had a delivery to make in South Cumbria, it would have been impolite not to call in at Leighton Moss - and they do a cracking lunch! 

It was banging it down, so there were very few people, but equally not a lot of good views - however the Marsh Harriers were definitely doing their best to put on a good display for us! 

Dark and dismal - plenty of ducks! 

Shoveller in the wind and rain.....

Shoveller.

Pintail in amongst hard rain drops! 

Shovelller and Pintail.

Teal and Snipe.

Shoveller and Cinammon Teal cross Shoveller.

Coot and Tufted Ducks.

Sheltering Teal and Snipe. 

Marsh Harriers.

Snipe. 

Mawbray birds

A blustery walk today ...lots of birds....distant photos though to avoid disturbance, as it was a tad chilly.

It isn't until I downloaded the photos I saw, what I presume are Wigeon, on the sea. 

Curlew...

Curlew...

Curlew and Oystercatchers.

Unusual carvings - I can't find out anymore about this - sadly! 

Well I needn't have bothered buying Rocky a Christmas pressie - this float is now wrapped up and under the tree! 

RSPB Geltsdale

A brief break in the generally dismal, dark and dank weather allowed us a day out at the RSPB Geltsdale reserve. Nothing spectacular by way of Hen Harriers, Black Grouse or Short-eared Owls, but nice to be out! 

Tindale tarn.

Tarn House/ Visitor facility - and a very welcome cuppa!

Looking towards Howgill.

Plenty of Canada geese.

The re-wiggled Howgill Beck.

Tindale tarn from the 'Hide'/screen.

Nice reflections.

The track to Howgill - sun! 

..and looking back. 

Grune Point

On a sunny day, without rain, wind or ice...a walk round Grune Point. Stunning! 

Skiddaw.

Criffel.

Redshank reflections.

Redshank.

Mainly Wigeon and Redshank.

Red-breasted Mergansers. 

Rosa Regosa - alien invasive - lots of seed heads looking like Christmas baubles...

Ladybird.

Fellside bimble

After going to the framers, we went for a quick walk up the track from Fellside to Roughton Gill. A small covering of snow and plenty of ice - sadly no icicles worthy of a photograph. 

Definitely warmer in the sun than the shade! 

Saxifrage sp.  

A few coppery odds and ends on the spoil heap. 

Photographing ice with Rocky around is always challenging - as he loves crunching ice and wants to see what I am doing...

...patterns ....

Close up of water - flowing but icelike at a high shutter speed. 

The sun has gone down.