Last year Mum had one of her large Poplar trees some down which made a hell of a mess of the garden, the fence and the lane too. There is the tree stump with a covering of snow. Mum is still using wood from that tree for firewood.
On the other side of the lane the river becomes a bit less sedate and more fast flowing. It is here that we often see a Dipper. I think they have bred occasionally under the bridge on the lane here. It is an amazing bird which swims and walks under water to find aquatic invertebrates and has a characteristic bobbing action. I was not very close to this bird and it was also quite dark down in the dip there hence the dodgy photos. 
He was singing his scratchy buzzing song while I tried to photograph him so I hope he was successful in attracting a mate!
Onwards and upward towards Pen Hill which is the highest point here in the southern end of the Cotswold Hills. 
Its a lovely area to walk, being a mix of arable land and then quite barren up the top of Pen Hill. I have hopes one day to find a Merlin up there, though my chance at that would only be in the winter.
I took this photo as I loved the colour of the hedgerow shadows on the snow. There were quite a few Yellowhammers up here in the hedgerows, not quite ready to sing yet, but certainly making their buzzy contact note.
As I walked up the hill I looked back and could see Mums house nestled down there in the valley. If you click on this photo to enlarge, then Mums home is the one to the lower right hand side surrounded by trees.
And again if you enlarge this picture, then her house is in the middle of the photo. Mum has lived here since 1987 when she and Dad moved from London. It has been and still is a fabulous place to live and enjoy the abundance of wildlife on her doorstep.
14 comments:
Lovely views, lovely area Jen.
I took the liberty of GE-ing it and think I found more or less where you were stood taking the photo.
A Dipper, you are so lucky Jennifer. I have never seen one. Thanks for the tour.
I love that Dipper...such a pretty white throat. The snowy landscape is very pretty.
Hi Roy, it is indeed a lovely area to walk and for wildlife. GEing is fun isn't it. You'll have to take a trip across to the Cotswolds to tick off Dipper somtime. PS: I'm only called Jennifer when I've been naughty! (-:
Hi Mary, thanks, have you ever had the chance to see the American Dipper? I tried to see it in California a few years back and didn't manage it.
Yes Jennifer, I guessed as much. {:)
Jenny thanks for the tour it was beautifull to escape for a few minutes. We are busy planning a trip to your area / Shropshire for the summer I was awoke today by Heather my wife with the Shropshire tourist boar booklet . So you never know we may get to see some of your birs on the way .XXX Don
Hey Wren
The snow has all but gone now - I wish I had taken the chance to go out in it but did not feel inclined at the time!!
Hi Roy.......is Roy short for anything????? (-:
Hi there Don, I believe Shropshire is a very beautiful county, so have a fab time this summer. If you want to find out more about birds and birding in that county, try the fat birder website. It's a great resource. Just google Fat Birder and you'll get there.
Hi Adgi, yes who knows when we'll get another lot of snow like that, years probably! Och well.....
Jenny, you have snow! A lot more than we do right now. Your Mum lives in an enchanting valley next to the river; it is all so private and open. You must love to go up there and tromp around. Beautiful photos, truly. I see what you mean about the little river. But, I bet I could get my little kayak down that.
I loved this walk and enjoyed taking in all the scenery! A dipper is a first for me to see!
HI MUM!!!
I had to say that really loud so she could hear me! Tell her I hope she is getting around better every day!
Hi Christine, the snow has all completely gone now and we have very mild weather which is what we've got used to over the last several years.
I think it would be quite a challenge to take a kayak down the river churn, not only is it quite small as rivers go, but it is very winding too! (-:
Hi Shelley, glad you enjoyed the walk, it was a one of those lovely fresh and crisp days. That's how I love winter to be. I need to try and get some better photos of that Dipper, but it is always quite dark down there in the valley. We shall see. Yet another photo challenge! (-:
Hi Evie, great to have you back blogging again, how did you know Mum is getting a wee bit deaf???
(-: I guess you do have to shout when you're several thousand miles away!
Jenny, I saw your comment to Mary on Faith, Fabric and photos. I am amazed that you know our Arizona birds! You must get around alot! Well done! These views of the landscape around you look like they came right out of New Enlgand where I grew up. I now live in SE AZ and am loving it, though it is quite a change. Today was very sunny and so nice and warm. Still, I do love the views of the grassy country side and woods. I love the New England woods and your Cotswolds evokes them for me.
Hi Kathy, thanks for looking in on my blog. I've been travelling to America over the last 10 years, mainly Iowa where my husband did some work for a hotel there and then to Florida, Texas, California, Minnesota and Michigan just for birding trips. I love birding in America and hope to be able to do some more sometime. I'm glad our Cotswold countryside gives you good reminders of New England! (-:
Hi Jen, no Roy is not short for anything and its my middle name just to confuse things.
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