Beautiful scenery..... and a lovely bird the Osprey

My Easter Break
 During breakfast on thursday morning the couple sitting at the next table arrived quite late for their meal.

Our host Tina thought they had overslept.......she was wrong.

They had been out since 6.15am to watch Otters at Bassenthwaite and had great views of them from a small bird hide I was totally unaware of.



The Bowder Stone

    

 I had a tour in my car this morning driving down to Borrowdale

 First stop was to view the Bowder Stone.

The Bowder Stone stands 30ft high and weighing over 2000 tons was believed to have fallen from the cliffs above.
It is now known to be of Scottish granite carried down by glaciers during the ice age.
A great tourist attraction since Victorian times.

My journey then took me over Honister Pass.... a steep climb of 1167ft dropping down to Buttermere
A jewel of a lake surrounded by the Western Fells.



Honister Pass is a real challenge for motorists

 

Buttermere is my favourite place.
A lovely four mile walk around the lake surrounded by mountains.

 

Buttermere flows into Crummock Water



I enjoyed my drive over Honister Pass down to Buttermere.
My route then took me past Crummock Water then I headed back to Keswick via Whinlatter Forest.
After a look around the forest visitor centre I pulled over to see the lovely view over Lake Bassenthwaite.




Lake Bassentwaite and Skiddaw

  Thinking back to that morning discussion I decided to seek out the hide on the lake shore.

The car park was easily found and a short walk through woodlands took me under the A66 highway to a gate and the shore of the lake.

 I was not alone two birders with scopes were scanning the skies and a couple of photographers were sat patiently hoping to capture images of the Ospreys that had returned from West Africa.

I stood in the shade of a large tree watching Little Ringed Plovers on the waters edge.

Then we spotted a large bird close by and initially thought it was a Buzzard. As it started to manoeuvre over the lake my dream of seeing an Osprey fishing became reality. Watching through my binoculars I had a great view of this wonderful bird dive down and pluck a fairly big fish from the water.



 

As it flew off with it's catch I managed a record shot with my camera which only had my travel zoom fitted 18-200mm but hey-ho these moments stay with you forever.

More beautiful birds can be viewed on World Bird Wednesday click the image below.

For more images of my trip to the beautiful English Lake District please read the last 3 posts.