Tuesday 30th November

Well the snow came, and the temperature went up but the wind and wetness of the snow made it quite unpleasant outside.
No Bobblehead again, Goosestep arrived and did a bit of revving up on the slippery snow.

I walked again to the lake, no sign of the sheep I expect they had found a sheltered spot. and no sign of the Heron either. The snow was laying on the ice .

In the entrance to the cow pasture a weed (not sure if it is angelica, hogweed or cow parsley) is doubled in size by its topping of snow.

The horses in the field were very agitated, jumping at the slightest movement I was glad there was a fence between us as they rushed up to me, I think they were looking for food as the grass was covered in snow.
Hopefully they will be fed before they return to their shelter under the trees. They were quite vocal this evening.

Monday 29th November

Even colder today, and I decided to walk a route I haven't done for about 10years which was interesting as I got a little disorientated , eventually mmanaged to find my way back to a path I knew, I shall try it again as it is a good walk around the edge of the valley it was very quiet and I saw the white bottoms of about 8 deer...I was too late and too noisy and it was too cold to stay still for long.

 You can see the frost crystals growing on this nettle.

The lake was pretty much frozen solid, only the inlet and outlet remained liquid, one of the Herons waits to see fish under the ice, I had waited a good while for him to get this close. My extremities and some other bits were freezing.

he didn't stay long, a buzzard was overhead swooping low into the treetops and the Heron flew off.

I have found a couple of good viewing spots and will return another day.

No posts for the next day or so as I will be away during daylight hours, I hope I may see Bobblehead as I haven't seen him for a couple of days, Goosestep has been around and seems to have taken on Bobbles bolshieness, we have a flock trying to muscle in (12 in waiting this morning), and Goosestep waddles around trying to see them off. His bad leg is shorter than the other and if he is on a flat surface he seems to rev it up before he gets traction.

Friday 26th November

Brrrr..... very cold but a fantastic sunny day.

The lake had a thin layer of ice on it. Two herons flew in and turned immediately around as they saw my bright pink scarf! stupid IOB.

Loads of thistles ....all covered in frost.

Well look at this ! I have never seen one of these before, what great colour in November. It is a Spindle tree it flowers in May, these are the fruits, the seeds are covered in a bright orange fleshy material, and these are enclosed in a cherry pink capsule. It gets its name from the fact that its wood is used for the spindles in the spinning of wool. It is apparently widespread in the uk as far north as southern Scotland but I have never seen one at this fruiting stage. I want one for my garden.

Wednesday 24th November

A frosty morning as forecast, I had some work to do so I was a little later getting out than I would have liked. It was still very beautiful, things I would normally ignore were wrapped in a coat of sparkling white.

 every contour gets a coating.

The one that didn't run away....and she still has a tail.

and she had a coating of frost on her fleece.

Bobblehead arrived for breakfast again avoiding the rush hour, he looked a bit healthier and some feathers were growing back on his neck.

Monday 22nd November

A busy work day today so no time for walking.
I managed to see Bobblehead which was a relief as he hadn't been looking good, and then on Saturday morning he was pounced upon by a much bigger,stronger pigeon he/she was pinned down and the pigeon just kept stabbing Bobbles head.....poor thing he has a bald spot anyway so not a lot of protection.....he arrived to feed today but not at prime time. I think he has lost control of his territory.

Two woodpeckers as well, no wonder I am constantly filling the nuts up.

Friday 19th November

I Managed a walk today, after all the rain everywhere looked dull and muddy, only the cobwebs and water droplets sparkled .

A ladybird is visible at the bottom, Selborne has swarms of Ladybirds in the summer, at a friends the other day she opened the window and the recess was packed with thousands of them, it was difficult to close the window again and we were aware that we had just murdered hundreds in their bed. Every window is the same and we were told it is always the same at that end of the village. Gilbert White doesn't mention them at all so maybe they are a recent occurance.

the water droplets are held wherever you look.

A view across the muddy lake, it has a very distinctive smell at the moment and I was pleased not to have a dog with me.

Thursday 18th November

Well yesterday was an absolute washout so no walk. Today wasn't much better but did get out in the garden between showers.

The crab apple dripping...
The lavender is slightly confused and trying to bloom again, it is very cold out this evening so that will probably put a stop to it.

And the early evening sky is good, the best it has been all day....I hope that means it will be a good day tomorrow, the car is in for a service so a lot of walking may take place.

Tuesday 16th November

What a fantastic morning, for once I couldn't wait to get out of bed, there was a heavy frost with mist rolling towards the house, I needed to get out with the camera before the garden was engulfed.
Our neighbours were quite friendly to start with but I think they are slightly worried about my wild hair and strange attire in the mornings, Pink fluffy dressing gown with barbour over the top and wellies will catch on one day....

the sun looks incredibly large through the mist.

Bobblehead looks slightly better but is definately losing his remaining neck feathers.

The cobwebs were fantastic again, so delicate and yet so strong....the water droplets being many times their weight.

Couldn't choose between these so you have them both.

And the moon was to the left of Jupiter tonight, I saw it at  5pm but had clouded over by the time I got back.

Monday 15th November

A beautiful autumn day but ice on the bird water this morning. Walked this afternoon and the air was cold but very clear.
Revisited the Hop barn which has not yet been sold, the light was good and I took many more photographs to add to my collection.

I am never bored by the light , it is never the same.

The frost caught the Hops this morning.

The needles of the Larch have changed to yellow, the sky so blue, it reminds me of a Jackson Pollock painting.

The Moon and Jupiter in a clear night sky...they look a funny shape because I couldn't keep the camera still, apparently tomorrow the Moon will be on the left of Jupiter.



Sunday 14th November

It is getting harder to get out with the camera as the days shorten. Managed a good walk this morning, but with the still of the mist and rustling leaves and fallen twigs I was not expecting to get close to wildlife, but as I concentrated on a spiders web by the lake I almost fell in as a Heron suddenly took off just 4 feet away, trust me to be looking the wrong way.

The spiders had been busy...wrapping seed heads and softening barbed wire.

Fantastic coloured fungi, the colour highlighted by the mist and damp.

Thursday 11th November

Well I managed to get out mid afternoon between gales, the clouds were fantastic, either stacked threateningly or pulled and stretched by the strength of the wind.

The animals and birds must have been sheltering as there was no sign of life not even a squirrel.

I came across this lichen on dead wood , and this fungus on the same branch, I think it may be Stereum but not sure.

After todays blow the woods look very different, large branches fallen and the canopy open to the sky.

And more fungus.

Wednesday 10th November

Leaves on the line...or branches anyway, No phone or internet since Saturday, today a BT engineer came and replaced our line as it had broken....he explained that each overhead cables contains a bundle of wires each connected to a number, out of the bundle it was ours that had snapped...sounds about right.
Anyway I am now back and will do a little update on the birdtable as I had to wait in all day for the engineer.

Bobblehead is looking a little worse for wear, he seems to have lost more neck feathers, he is either being henpecked or hopefully just moulting, although the other woodpigeons are looking very healthy. without feathers around the neck he must be more susceptible to the cold and the wet...of which we have had plenty.

This is a bit of a mistake , it is a collared dove taking fright...but looks like an angel, well it is getting close to Christmas apparently.

great spotted woodpecker and collared dove.

And lastly a healthy looking Nuthatch, they always descend head down, even on trees. A great day today after the heavy rain of Monday and tuesday, hopefully it will continue and I will get out walking tomorrow.

Oh and a question I heard on the radio to which nobody called in with an answer "Why do birds not interbreed?"

Thursday 4th November

A good morning still mild but clouding over in the afternoon again.
Bobblehead enjoyed a lunchtime rest under the Rhododendron bush, it has been a long breeding season and he still has a youngster to look out for.

I walked on the ranges with a friend this afternoon, but the light was so flat and the pine woods so dark photography was difficult.
Her guinea fowl managed to stay still just long enough for a picture, red lips are definately in this season..

They are excellant guard fowl, the noise they made because I was 'new' in the pen was not to be ignored.

Wednesday Nov 3rd.

Sorry I have been a little lax on the blog front....Busy, Birthdays, car MOT and a rotten cold.

But got out today with the camera and was surprised at the change since last week, it hasn't been cold in fact it is so mild that my Weigela has broken into flower.

Bobblehead is still bringing his/her offspring to the birdtable....he appears to be winking.

the woods were really stunning, the beech leaves have changed colour rapidly since last week.

looking through the beeches to the pines and the lake.