Thorpe & South Peak District

A beautiful sunny winters day meant another trip to the Peak District. With the South Peak less than half hours drive away it's an area I visit often for walking and photography. The village of Thorpe is often a good starting place as Thorpe Cloud, Dovedale & Ilam are within easy walking range.

Thorpe Cloud (above) had a steady flow of walkers climbing to it's summit in the wintery morning sunshine all wrapped up well against a very chilly peak district breeze.

A walk up the lane signposted to the church is well worthwhile as you are greeted with the magnificent St. Leonards, Church of England. Always pleasing on the eye but on this particular morning the sun lit the surrounding trees beautifully.

A wander through the gates and around the church is a very peaceful experience. I "bumped" into a lovely gentleman sweeping just inside the main door who was only too pleased to enlighten me with some of the Churches history. He showed me the lovely grounds surrounding the church which was definately worthy of a shot!

Walking back down the lane I heard the call of a particular favourite bird of mine. I could hear a Great Spotted Woodpecker but was having difficulty in locating it. So I decided to stand still and only a few minutes later I caught a glimpse ( and a quick shot) of the bird as it made it's way up to the top of the tree.

Having spent a pleasurable couple of hours in and around Thorpe I took to the road and headed north looking for serious signs of winter. You don't have to travel very far before snow is evident on the mountain tops.

About 8 miles south of Buxton with snow on the hills all around me I took a left down a quiet road in search of a possible snowy landscape. The views were tremendous and it felt like I'd travelled alot further north than just the few miles or so that I had!

Footpath signs and stiles always make a good subject for a photo and I loved the swirly patterns in the sky in the image below.



Another wonderful day spent in the southern part of the Peak District. I think a trip further north will be necessary soon as there will be more snow and more snowy landscapes!!

Easter at Croxall Lakes, Staffs Wildlife Trust

Was a lovely Easter weekend at Croxall Lakes with large turnouts of people eager to capture the wildlife.

There were great sightings of the Willow and Sedge Warbler and most people had gathered at a spot where a Grasshopper Warbler had been seen.

The Sedge Warbler was spotted across the river but the Willow Warbler let me get quite close and I managed to get the image below.

Unfortunately I didn't see the Grasshopper Warbler or the Ring Ouzel which apparently was also in evidence.

Having then spotted a Kingfisher by the river I mananged to get a shot of a cuckoo flying between the trees.

The weekend was finished off quite nicely with a great view of a Little Egret in flight!

See you soon!!

In Search of the Kingfisher

Having just created my first blog I'd like to tell you about my first sightings of the wonderful Kingfisher.

I was visiting the home of the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust at  the Wolseley Centre one Saturday afternoon in May 2010. I had reserched the subject and heard that the Kingfisher was a regular sighting there.

I soon got chatting to a fellow photographer. Her telephoto zoom lens was the give away that she was on the look out. The time was 2.00pm and she had been there since 7.00am such was her enthusiasm for this wonderful bird.

We had only chatted for a few minutes before the Kingfisher made it's first appearance. It landed on some twigs in the river, fish in mouth, before flying into the nest. I had a few seconds to land my fist shots and was deligted with the result.

Having taken the fish into the nest to feed it's young, it then emerged from the nest, took a quick drink and landed on the same twig as shown!!

I returned on many occasions after and had regular sightings until I discovered a viewing point down the river where there was a perch that The Kingfisher regularly landed on.

I returned one Sunday morning and set up my camera opposite this perch. After nearly 3 hours I was about to give up when the Kingfisher headed up river and landed just where I had been hoping it would.

I had a few seconds to get the shot but again was delighted with the result.

This concudes my first blog.

See you all soon.