Wednesday, 4 April 2012

A little beauty from my walk on Sunday............................................................

Visiting Chester wasn't all I did last weekend.
I had a lovely walk to visit Haydn's Pool on a sunny (but chilly) Sunday morning.
Despite the winter weather warnings the 1st of April in Cheshire was fantastic.

I walked alongside Witton Brook...  this isn't my normal route but I fancied a change.

Butterflies have been enjoying the last couple of weeks sunshine
I spent quite a bit of time chasing them trying to capture a decent image.
I eventually caught up with this one alongside the stream....  it's a real beauty to see.

Peacock butterfly (Inachis io)
In my opinion the prettiest butterfly I see on my patch during the spring.

Haydn's Pool looking into the sunlight... the water levels have dropped since it was refilled.
Wading birds are returning... a Redshank was feeding on the main island and a pair of noisy Oystercatchers (birds that have bred at Haydn's Pool for a few years) were making their presence felt.

I saw this Mistle Thrush as I wandered home.
It's larger than the Song Thrush I recently shared singing.

The wonderful weather we were having (the third hottest March on record) has been replaced by a return to winter.... cooler temperatures...snow on the high ground and strong winds.

34 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

the sun glistening off the water is pretty. as is that peacock!

Anonymous said...

That Peacock butterfly is beautiful! Looks like you had a great day for a walk!

Kay said...

Great photos. Particularly love the butterflies.

NatureFootstep said...

wonderful shots. I have not seen any Peacocks yet, nice to see yours.

It would be nice if you joined in NF Winged tomorrow.

nfmemes.blogspot.com

BlueShell said...

Oh Drew...It is My honor to have you as MY friend!

Your Photos...such variety...and such beauty in every one of them...
I'm delighted!

Thank YOU!
Hugs

BShell/Isabel

Susan said...

Beautiful post Andrew! The butterfly, the pond, the flowers, the bird. Lovely!

cieldequimper said...

Thanks for taking us with you!

(And thanks for the grey skies you sent over! ;-))

Bob Bushell said...

Good sunday for walking, full of beautiful things.

Shaun said...

Some lovely shots there Andrew. I wouldnt like to have done that walk today, i guess its pretty chilly up with you today?

MadSnapper said...

i like the view and the grasses in the first photo and the last one of the yellow flowers is so cheery

Betty Manousos said...

great encounters!

thanks for both the lovely walk and for the beautiful pictures.

those are fantastic sights, i particularly love the butterflies.

Carole M. said...

Good to hear the weather didn't muck up your weekend outings Drew. The butterfly is brilliant, and I love the bright, perky nature of the Mistle Thrush. Does it get its name from mistletoe I wonder, does mistletoe grow on trees over there?

Debbie said...

oh my, i love the bright orange butterfly and pretty yellow in the last picture.

i just returned from a beautiful walk at the beach, the weather has been crazy here, super warm!!

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

The Peacock butterfly is stunning. I've not ever seen one before.

Jessabelluh said...

Beautiful shots! I especially love the first one, of the brook.

jeanlivingsimple said...

I adore your Thrush. It looks much like the one here in the States.
Hugs to you Andrew!

Gillian Olson said...

Beautiful shots, those butterflies are beautiful.

Carletta said...

Andrew, that first image should be frames and on your wall - beautiful!

Brian King said...

Just beautiful! Fantastic landscape! The Peacock is gorgeous, Andrew. Great shot!

Mary Howell Cromer said...

I was going to stop on your Pigeon post which is very neat, and then I saw this post! Wow, that opening image is a breath taking scene, and it looks like you had a wonderful walk about, from the butterflies to the spring blossoms and the sweet Thrush...very nice post!
Happy Easter season Andrew~

Bitch said...

Wandering with you and your camera.
Shooting so well and capturing this beautiful world of nature!
Thank you for sharing!!!

Betty Manousos said...

just stopping by to say hi and thanks for the follow:)
following you right back!

wish you a great day!

Pantherka said...

Great photos. Butterflies are amazing.
Greetings.

Sallie (FullTime-Life.com said...

Beautiful walk! The peacock is one of the prettiest butterflies I've EVER seen (even virtually)...we see quite a few varieties here but I've never seen one quite that bright.

Veronica said...

Gorgeous butterfly!!

joo said...

What a lovely walk!

Unknown said...

The symmetry in butterflies always amazes me. This one is gorgeous.

Susan Scheid said...

A beautiful photo of the peacock butterfly. How marvelous you caught it with wings outstretched like that.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Your butterfly is gorgeous!

Light and Voices said...

I don't believe that I have ever seen a Peacock Butterfly. It is so lovely. Thanks for sharing. I enjoy these cyber walks even though we are across the mighty ocean.
Joyce M

Arija said...

Your Mistle Thrush has mee all excited and on the hunt for your singing Song Thrush. We had them nesting in our garden in Melbourne but after moving to Adelaide 41 years ago, I have not heard one and have sorely missed them.

Unknown said...

That butterfly is absolutely amazing - terrific shot! I can just see myself chasing it - it would be comical, I'm sure!

Ruby said...

A beautiful series of pictures and the butterfly is lovely!!

Amila Kanchana said...

What a flashy butterfly!