Monday 18 January 2010

Somerset scenes - mish mash

This post is made up of various photos taken around my home county of Somerset over the past few weeks. There's nothing spectacular about the first photo, just showing the snow fall looking out over our front garden a few days ago.
An overview of my local Rodden Reserve before the snow. If you look carefully you can see my elongated shadow at the bottom of the picture....makes me look tall (almost)! (-:Taken low down to the ground, showing the iced over lake at Rodden.
I love the long shadow effect across the iced over water here.One of my favourite viewpoints around the reserve for taking a photo.Seed heads of the beautiful Purple Loosetrife that flowers in profusion all around the lake later in the year....something to look forward to!A gorgeous reflection of the burnt orange colour of this Willow tree. The dead branch is a favourite perch for the local Grey Heron, but not on this day unfortunately.And finally, some shots taken at Chew Valley Lake when birding with my friend Jane over the New Year weekend. This is a large lake and a lot of it was iced over causing some problems for the wintering birds.A Pied Wagtail running around on the ice in it's usual busy way.Some of the water was not frozen over and this stunning male Goldeneye was obligingly close in.Any guesses who this rather pretty backside belongs to?A strikingly plumaged Common Shelduck of course.So, that's all for now folks! I NEED to get out with the camera again soon, though the forecast isn't too hopeful for the rest of the week!

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lovely scenes Jen and a fabulous Goldeneye. I am saying nothing about your elongated shadow, but I know someone who will.?

Eve said...

Love all the photos Jenny, the ducks are beautiful.
And yes I'm jealous of your shadow!! Didn't think I'd say THAT did you Roy!!!! hahahaha :-)
The colors in this post are fabulous!!!

John said...

Lovely Photos Jen, I have heard rumour we may have more Snow for Wednesday...The Goldeneye is a stunning bird. I have not birded at Chew for a few years now.

John

Chris said...

Hi Jenny,
Wow spectacular landscape pictures there!!! I love them all and I love the long shadows effect!! Gorgeous... I'll give anything to see a common goldeneye like you did! and the shelduck... We have few shelduck which breeds over here in summer, only in one region of the country. So if I want to see them, I have to go a bit north and drive for 2 hours!!

Rural Rambler said...

Hi Jen! The Goldeneye and the Common Shelduck are beautiful birds, backside and all! I can still call to mind your pictures of the pretty Purple Loosetrife from summer. I would still love to have a big old field of it!

Jenny said...

Hi Roy, yes, she never lets us down does she! (-: I was soooo chuffed to get that Goldeneye so close.

Hi Evie, I'm jealous of that shadow too! HAHA! (-: Glad you enjoyed all the photos.

Hi John, yes, snow for Weds, but maybe not too much in our area, but further north. Hope so anyway! Chew isn't the prettiest of places, but the birding can be good! (-:

Hi Chris, I'll swap you for Gyr Falcon and Harlequin Duck! (-: Glad you liked all the photos.

Hi Pix, yes, I can't wait to see that purple haze around the lake again, tho I shouldn't wish the year away like that!

Hello Japanese person (is that Japanese?) Apologies if it isn't! Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to comment.

TonyC said...

Hi Jen, Great shots - the Goldeneye is a cracker!! - one of those turning up down here would cause a stir!!

Mary said...

It is a beautiful place! I love the burnt orange reflection and that duck is gorgeous! Such a bright red bill!

Kelly said...

...a lot of ice and a lot of snow, and everything is very beautiful. I've forgotten what blue skies look like!

FAB said...

The snow and I certainly gives all the views a different perspective. I'd love to capture a 'wild' Goldeneye that close. Super shots Jen. FAB.

Quiet Paths said...

Splendid photos of the birds swimming around in the cold water - that is some serious insulation!

Tricia Ryder said...

Some lovely pictures there Jenny and I too really love the "long shadows" over the snow - really leads the eye through the picture; and congrats on the Goldeneye - such lovely birds :-)

(BTW there's a comment for you on my blog regarding the weather gadget).

Jenny said...

Hi Tony, yes, one of my fav ducks is the Goldeneye (even the female (-; is beautiful!

Hi Mary, Willows give such good value, lovely both with and without leaves!

Hi Kelly, that blue sky was before Christmas!!! We've had it grey and dreary over here too.

Hi Frank, yes, it was a thrill to find that Goldeneye in so close. Not usual at all!

Hi Christine, hmmm I don't think I'd fancy being a duck in winter! I guess they're built different to us! (-:

Hey Tricia, thanks for the lovely comments and for the info on the weather gadget thingy, I shall try that in shortly!

Jenny said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Quiet Paths said...

So enjoying my calendar, Jenny! Thank you again. And, over Xmas all my relatives looked through the picture brochure too. Very nice....

Anonymous said...

Fun birds! Love the wagtail.