In the Woods

 A short walk yesterday morning in the local Hem Heath woods.  Lots of work has been done by the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust over the winter months.  Many Ash trees have been taken out because of Ash Dieback disease.  New paths have been made, now much firmer and cleaner underfoot.  

The sound of birdsong played in the air as we walked. The trees still bare of leaves looked wonderful against the blue sky.

We walked along the circular route back towards the car park.

Many areas under the trees were standing in water.  I'm sure this will take some time to drain away.

We stopped by the pond.

Signs of life here.  There will soon be Flag Iris and Marsh Marigolds to enjoy.  Possibly little ducklings too.

We made our way back to the car park. 

 We'll return in a few weeks time to find the woodland floor a sea of blue, as this wood is noted for its glorious display of Bluebells.  

All for now. 

Spring Flowers

  The weather has changed over the last week and felt quite Spring like on a couple of days, although it's colder and duller today and there was a misty haze this morning.  I don't think we are out of the woods yet but winter is loosening its grip.

 On the Brampton in Newcastle-under-Lyme the Crocus are in flower all along the paths, so delicate and fragile.  Some had been trampled, possibly by squirrels or perhaps dogs taken off leads. 

Meanwhile at Trentham Spring has also sprung.  Snowdrops are going over but are replaced by another carpet of white.

Wood Anemones also known as windflowers. They are well advanced the ones in our garden haven't appeared yet.

They are one of my all time favourite flowers.

Hellebores are still flowering alongside the primulas.

At Westport lake trees were in blossom.

Above Pussy Willow catkins.

Last but not least - daffodils.  They are out now in gardens and along verges.  

Always a welcome sight.

Birds, Blooms, Beavers and Bookshops

 Walking around Trentham Estate yesterday morning we discovered two new things.

In the retail village was a new bookshop in a horsebox.  According to their sign it is the smallest bookshop in the world.  I've been on a book barge on the canal, seen small libraries in telephone boxes but never a bookshop in a horsebox.   Unfortunately it closes on Mondays so we didn't get to peek inside.

In the gardens close to the education Tipi there is a new sculpture of a Beaver.

It was carved with a chainsaw from a dead cedar stump by Simon O'Rourke.

The real Beavers live on an island in the middle of the lake.  They have recently built a dam closer to the lakeside path.

It's that time of year when British blooms are back in the shops.

 Daffodils and Tulips both bringing colour to a dull day,  brightening up windowsills and table centres.  I can't resist buying a bunch every so often.

We took part in the RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch over the weekend.  The weather wasn't great, we had a large group of Rock Doves (feral pigeons) appear and towards the end of the count a female Sparrowhawk flew like an arrow from the side fence around the hanging feeders and up into the tree at the top of the garden.  She didn't catch anything. All went silent, the count was over.  

Final total - 3 blackbirds, 2 Dunnocks, 2 Robins, 1 Magpie, 1 Great Tit, 10 Goldfinches, 19 Rock Doves and 1 Sparrowhawk.

All for now.

A Little Bit Icy

 Yesterday we decided to walk at Westport Lake to blow away the cobwebs after  having been indoors for a couple of days.  The roads were clear but both the canal and the lakes were still icy.

It was cold, very cold but there were lots of people out and about.  Dog walkers, a large walking group and quite a few photographers too.

When I saw the Moorhen walking on the ice I was reminded of one of my favourite paintings.

It's usually known as The Skating Minister. It depicts the Reverend Robert Walker skating on Duddingston Loch and is by Scottish artist Sir Henry Raeburn (1756-1823).  I remember seeing it at the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh many years ago.  Here is a - link - to their website which tells you more about it.

Before the New Year

How strange the weather has been for the last few days, neither one thing or the other.  Calm, dry and dull.  No wind, no rain and no sun either.  It feels 'pending'.  I'm hoping proper winter weather stays away for a few more days as we have to travel and stay over for a family funeral next week.  We started this year with a funeral and it seems like next year is starting out the same.  

Below are a few photos from yesterday's morning walk around the lake.

How quiet it seemed, not many people along the paths.  Just a few other walkers or photographers passing by.

Even the water birds seemed quiet with the occasional call from a coot or gull or the flap of wings from a landing swan.

Time for a snooze for Mr and Mrs Mallard.

Right, time to get ready for my appointment at the opticians to see what the problem with my right eye is.  It's always the right eye, I've had laser treatment on it before I'm keeping my fingers crossed I don't have to have that again or that the cataracts haven't worsened.  I'm a bit of a scaredy cat where my eyes are concerned and can't bear anyone messing with them.

I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas.  All my best wishes for the New Year.

Take care.

Spotted

 Spotted Recently

Early Snowdrops at Trentham Gardens.  

A Hedgehog in the garden on one of the warmer days a couple of weeks ago.  It looked healthy. After a good rummage around in the grass and along the side of the greenhouse it wandered away into the hedges between us and next door.  I hope it has a warm home somewhere now the first frosts have appeared.

Again at Trentham Gardens beside the lake a strange fungi that looks like a cross between a cone flower and a fried egg.

At a local garden centre a Robin on the roof of one of the little 'gingerbread' cottages.  It flew in from the more open houseplant area into the decorated tree and then onto the little house.

Heron lurking in the branches of a tree overhanging the lake at Westport Lake, when it finally flew away another one flew out from the base of the tree and followed it.

A Kingfisher on the Trent and Mersey Canal between Westport Lake and Middleport Pottery. Paul managed to take a quick photo but the bird darted hither and thither.  It was so nice to see its wonderful turquoise blue feathers as it sped down the canal.

All for now.