The weather last week was hit and miss... today has been dull and wet.
I am so lucky with the weather... Sunday was my last day off work and the sun was shining.
I had a lovely walk around my local nature reserve.
Cowslips covered the ground..... a lovely carpet of yellow flowers.
A member of the primrose family.
I was chasing butterflies all morning.... this is a Small tortoiseshell.
It's probably the commonest butterfly on my patch... and a real beauty.
Haydn's Pool is in a nature reserve on land reclaimed from a long industrial past.
The company that own the local chemical works paid for the bird hide on the far side of the pool.
This image is from the main hide.
It has an information board with images of the birds you are likely to see at certain times of year.
This Black-headed gull had found a perch on the pool.
Haydn's was refilled in November after last years drought left it dry... we still have a lack of rain.
The water level has dropped but this has created a shore line... great for waders.
Haydn's was refilled in November after last years drought left it dry... we still have a lack of rain.
The water level has dropped but this has created a shore line... great for waders.
The single Black Swan is still around... the Mutes appear to be accepting it.
Suddenly!!... all hell broke loose... and what a racket!!
It was the sound of three Chinook Helicopters (correct me if I am wrong) flying over.
The noise they made was amazing... a real roar.
I have never witnessed this before.
The birds? ... not a flinch.
http://skyley.blogspot.co.uk/
I have never witnessed this before.
http://skyley.blogspot.co.uk/
wow! surprised they sat still! i like that gull 'surfing' on the stick. :)
ReplyDeleteA lot of different nice shots Andrew....good work.
ReplyDeletegreetings, Joop
This was a wonderful breath of fresh air until... helicopters!
ReplyDeleteRain, cold here.
the gull looks like he is skiing or surfing. those choppers do make a loud noise. you were blessed with sunshine and really beautiful blue skies.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant images. Can you tell me, how do you get down on fat birders top 1000????????
ReplyDeletesuch a great post. lots to look at. i've never heard of "cowslip" ... or perhaps i did not realize what i was looking at. ha. ha!! what i have always wondered is how do you know if it is a moth or a butterfly? we get to see helicopters like that all the time here in va. good day to you. (:
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful is there, Andrew! Even with these helicopters>
ReplyDeleteTerrific captures as always. I love the shots of the birds.
ReplyDeleteLove the gull with the outstretched wings. As for the chinooks, oy! Glad the birds didn't mind, though.
ReplyDeleteSuch a charming name 'cowslips' and made for a really pretty photo. Nice to see them up close, an interesting plant. I love that governing bodies have converted no longer industrially productive locations into reserves such as your Haydn's Pool. Great photo of the Black-headed gull; I'd never seen one before. I'm glad to see the lone black swan has been accepted. Amazing how the birds accepted the Chinooks too.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful, even with those noisy helicopters!
ReplyDeleteWow! ~ beautiful photography ~ isn't nature wonderful! ~ thanks, namaste, ^_^
ReplyDeleteLovely ramble with you, Andrew.
ReplyDeleteHow huge can a chopper get?
ReplyDeleteAwesome stuff Andrew!
Sounds very peaceful, well up until the helicopter evasion! I'm surprised it didn't scare off the birds.
ReplyDeleteI truly enjoyed this walk. Even enjoyed those helicopters!
ReplyDeleteThat butterfly is lovely!
ReplyDeleteNature Trekking on Holy Saturday. My first time joining NFS Waters.
It looks a great place to visit Andrew. Good to see the Black Swan. Used to have a couple visit my local.
ReplyDeleteHi Andrew...I like that the birds ...not a flinch lol!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome photos ...especially love those first two of the carpet of blooms !
Everything is so lush and the birds are contented looking ..nice post!!
Grace xx
I Drew. What a beautiful carpet of yellow flowers...what a place! And the reflections... amazing!
ReplyDeleteThe noise...I can just imagine...LOL
You are so kink... thank you for the words in your comments.
Isabel /BShell
Great images Andrew. It looks like you've got a super place to nature watch there. Not too sure about those large Hoverflies though!!...[;o)
ReplyDeleteLove the gull shots, Andrew! And the butterfly. You have a beautiful place to visit! I believe you are correct on the helicopter ID.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were able to take a break from the weather and enjoy a sunny day! Love the Gull on his 'longboard' surfboard!
ReplyDeleteIt's typical that it's some sort of 'man made' noise that spoils the peace and harmony! I was surprised to see the black swan Andrew, so you have many over there?
ReplyDeleteWow! Your walks certainly are eventful. Thanks for sharing the beauty of your area. My favorite photo is of the gull with the wings up in the air. (Newest follower)
ReplyDeleteAndrew, so many beautiful photos ... yellow flowers and a butterfly ... beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of those kind of helicoptors. So military! Anyway, the birds must be used to it. Funny!
ReplyDeleteThat gull looks like he's riding a surf board!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteI love your last shot! Really great!
ReplyDelete:)
What terrific captures for the day, Andrew! In spite of the helicopters!! I do love that surfin' gull! Beautiful butterfly, flowers and such lovely skies with the big, puffy clouds! Thanks for taking us on your walk! Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Beautiful shots!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great place to visit.
Love to see the Black Swan.
Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos Andrew! It's amazing how different birds react to different sounds isn't it? I love that Black-headed Gull with its wings up!
ReplyDeleteA perfect Skywatch shot. Love the fluffy clouds and the birds! Sorry about those noisy chinooks!
ReplyDeleteOdd that the birds didn't react to the noise of helicopters above. I really enjoyed all your photos posted this week.
ReplyDeleteJoyce M
Coming back for Skywatch!
ReplyDeleteMy Sky shot, have a great weekend!
Beautiful captures.
ReplyDeleteLoved the birds and helicopters on the same post! :-)
ReplyDeleteI've noticed before that planes don't seem to disturb the birds -- where we stayed in Arizona a couple of winters was under an airforce flight path apparently; there was a nearby birding park and they never flinched either.
ReplyDeleteYou must live right to have your weekends be the most beautiful days of the week! I swear when we worked (and lived) in Oregon, it rained every weekend ;>)
I love the gulls pictures Andrew. I will soon try to post my drawings of them. Lovely photos. Cheers, Ruby
ReplyDelete