Frosts Mists and Frozen Lakes

Frosts Mists and Frozen Lakes - Wigeon swimming
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.

Canada goose on Ice
Canada goose on Ice

 

Action shot of Canada Goose

 

Eurasian Teal
Eurasian Teal

 

Goosander, Shoveler and Teal
Goosander, Shoveler and Teal

 

Wigeon, male and female
Wigeon, male and female

 

Tufted Duck
Tufted Duck

 

Male Wigeon
Male Wigeon

 

Tufted Duck and Wigeon
Tufted Duck and Wigeon

 

More Wigeon
More Wigeon
Female Wigeon stood on ice
Female Wigeon stood on ice

 

Male Wigeon walking on ice
Wigeon walking on ice

 

Male Tufted duck
Male Tufted duck

 

Yet more Wigeon
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.

Starling
Starling

 

7 Goosander in amongst the other duck and gulls.
7 Goosander in amongst the other duck and gulls.

 

Broken wing, still gong strong after 2 years.
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 StonechatsStonechat ObsessionStonechat Obsession Continues

Pheasants preparing to fight (they never did though)
Pheasants preparing to fight (they never did though)

 

Male Stonechat on the ground
Male Stonechat on the ground

 

Male Stonechat on Post
Stonechat on Post

 

Male Stonechat on Post
Male Stonechat on Post

 

Male Stonechat on wire fence
Stonechat on wire fence

 

female Stonechat on wire fence
female Stonechat on wire fence

 

Close Male Stonechat
Male Stonechat on Fence Post

 

Close Male Stonechat
Close Male Stonechat

 

Close Male Stonechat
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.

Frosts, Mists and Frozen Lakes
Frosts, Mists  and Frozen Lakes

 

misty, wintry view over Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve.
misty, wintry view over Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve.

 

River Great Ouse by New Bradwell
River Great Ouse by New Bradwell

 

View from below the church
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.

Suki's memorial bench
Suki’s memorial bench

 

View from Suki's Bench.
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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