definitely out 2

 

ant's eye view of native snowdrop

definitely out

 

it doesn't feel like it to us but plants and birds think Spring has arrived.

some colour

 

one solitary pansy survives the frosts

Spring in the air

 

a bit of joie de vivre for the snow and cyclone bound

getting closer

 

almost out

 

just out

frog spawn

 

 first frog spawn of the year, (on exactly the same day as last year) and the first leaves of lords and ladies, otherwise not much progress yet ... maybe a daffodil or two

going home

one of my favourite sights at sunset on a cold evening

more from the Constable school of photography

the mist starts rising as the sun warms up a cold forest stream on a frosty morning

holmbush

there is no doubt that we live in an interesting place. These are the old mine workings at Holmbush, which have been restored is very well preserved and are part of the world heritage mining site, and lies in the shadow of Kit Hill.

moon lane

It is hard to reproduce the illusion of the enlargement of the moon as it rises on the horizon. It seemed appropriate to have a buzzard watch over us. The first few lambs have appeared although the lambing season now goes on for many months. Otherwise not much has happened hence lack of photos and blogging.

the first signs of hope

at long last the shoots of early (although by now quite late) daffodils, and of the first snowdrops have started to emerge ... the nights are getting shorter so all that tree worship seems to have worked yet again.

first of the new year

the jays were being especially querulous today, goodness knows what about.

and a Happy New Year

on the road to Malham (where a few of us spent Christmas)

a christmas wish

night life

snow, a moon lit night and light on the church tower make for a magical Christmas scene at the bottom of our paddock.

dreamy landscape

an unusual view across the Tamar valley shrouded in mist towards Gunnislake, Tavistock and Shaugh Prior on a very cold and snowy morning. And below another view of our little village.

and snow lay roundabout

 

Stoke Climsland church this morning, under a light covering of snow

and the village shop looking warm and welcoming

the cassie

the new self propelled Dyson vacuum cleaner with cyclone action, also with self emptying bag and adjustable deck for that extra special deep clean, just lick and go!

hogweed flowers again

hoar frost or rime on the remnants of the dead flower head of hogweed

spot the bullfinch

the cold is driving some shy birds out into the open, but they are not always easy to see!

and the view from the bottom of the garden

frost, blue sky, Venterdon barns and the church

more from aladdin's cave

another magical image from our favourite lane, thanks to the exceptionally hard frost

minding the sheep

whatever the weather the sheep need tending

aladdin's cave

freezing fogs, mist, and hoar frost are making for magical morning walks.

wagtail of a different kind

during these cold spells some birds, like this foraging pied wagtail, which are normally quite shy come much closer to habitation

Spot's Sports spots

the weather has turned very cold and Spot has taken to wearing his winter cap. There was a great gathering of rooks today (this group was only a small part of the parliament), goodness knows what they were up to but something was going on

the quick and the not so quick

steam gets to Cotehele

steam arrives at Cotehele this morning ... parking outside the pub of course (well, tea room now).

the commute to work

starlings off to find food for the day.

raven's moor

Ravens are the largest of the crow family. They have a bluish tinge to their intensely black feathers, large heads and throat feathers. They often are seen in pairs (as here)

They like open moorland where sheep and other livestock are to be found because it is easy for them to find carrion to feed off.



They have a distinctive low pitched cry (described as prruk prruk) and a silhouette in flight, which is very similar to the buzzard.

quarry dogs

colours and reflections in the quarry near the Minions.

piteousness

a dole of doves descendeth upon us. As they are collared doves perhaps it should be a neck, or a wring of doves. I wonder why doves have this association with pity and sadness?

going browner still

the colour of the leaves on the rowan tree at the bottom of our estate (!) are very vivid this year and make a pretty sight mixed with the bright red of the berries. Many fields locally have a large tree (usually an oak or beech) standing in the middle to provide some shade for the livestock, and in the autumn they provide these picturesque images set against the natural mixed deciduous woods that cover the valley sides.

autumn colours

Our favourite lane has slipped into its autumnal livery.

the drive into Duchy College is lined with sweet chestnuts and looks very grand at this time of year.