Frosts Mists and Frozen Lakes
With ice thickening over much of the lakes of the Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve, there is less and less open water, and those small patches that still remain take on greater significance for the remaining waterfowl. A space to feed, dive and clean remains vital even in these times of frozen waterways.
Frosts Mists and Frozen Lakes
OK, so rather than leave this post half written for days, the rest of this post is just going to be the photos from my walk on Monday 23rd Jan, back to normal for my next post.
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| Canada goose on Ice |
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| Action shot of Canada Goose |
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| Eurasian Teal |
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| Goosander, Shoveler and Teal |
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| Wigeon, male and female |
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| Tufted Duck |
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| Male Wigeon |
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| Tufted Duck and Wigeon |
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| More Wigeon |
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| Female Wigeon stood on ice |
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| Wigeon walking on ice |
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| Male Tufted duck |
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| Yet more Wigeon |
It was clearly a good day for swimming duck, small patches of open water meant that they were swimming quite close to the hide, sadly also meant they were easily spooked, as I learnt first hand when I dropped my camera and the whole flock took to the skies.
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| Starling |
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| 7 Goosander in amongst the other duck and gulls. |
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| Broken wing, still gong strong after 2 years. |
Stonechat Obsession
My obsession with the local wintering Stonechat continues, they are such beautiful birds though, well that is my excuse, this is the 4th post full of photos of the stunning birds, read the others here: A Morning With Stonechats, Stonechat Obsession, Stonechat Obsession Continues
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| Pheasants preparing to fight (they never did though) |
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| Male Stonechat on the ground |
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| Stonechat on Post |
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| Male Stonechat on Post |
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| Stonechat on wire fence |
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| female Stonechat on wire fence |
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| Male Stonechat on Fence Post |
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| Close Male Stonechat |
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| Ok maybe a bit too many Close Male Stonechat photos? |
Landscapes
The days was a rather mixed day, but that did allow me to take some pretty nice landscapes around the river valley.
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| Frosts, Mists and Frozen Lakes |
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| misty, wintry view over Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve. |
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| River Great Ouse by New Bradwell |
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| View from below the church |
Memorial Bench
For the first time, since my sisters passing 4 years ago nearly, I ventured to her memorial bench, so here are a couple of photos of the plaque and view from the seat.
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| Suki’s memorial bench |
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| View from Suki’s Bench. |
Once more, sorry, not my greatest post, time gets away from me sometimes, but wanted to share the photos anyway. Back to normal from my next walk (I hope).
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6 Comments
The Herald
Super set of images Ashley, it must be confusing for the water birds when their world starts to get harder and smaller?
I like the Pheasant 'face off' shot, those lovely little Stonechats are just stars, aren't they?
Check out the Goosanders..I make it eight!…[;o)
AshleyBeolens
Thanks, it's the diving ducks that worry me, all too easy to get stuck under the ice.
Thanks for the proper count, I don't think I noticed the female on the ice.
Living Life Our Way
Your photos are absolutely stunning. The top male stonechat on a post photo is particularly beautiful. Thanks for linking up with #LivingLifeWild Katie 🙂
AshleyBeolens
Thank you, glad that you enjoyed them.
Sonia Cave
Wow what a huge variety and all looking beautiful in the wintry landscape. They are lovely photos so nice to see on #livinglifewild
AshleyBeolens
Thank you, I am blessed to have such a lovely place to walk right on my doorstep