Sunday 24 February 2013

Walking On Sunshine

The weather was so nice at the beginning of last week that we couldn't resist getting out of the house and going for a walk. We decided to go to Fairburn Ings, a local RSPB reserve. We saw lots of different birds, but there were lots of other things which interested us too.

Lichen. It covered nearly all the tree.


Catkins. Just look at the gorgeous blue sky.


Peeling bark. The sunshine is illuminating it.


Holly in dappled shade.


A berry. There weren't many around, I think the birds have stripped the trees.


Ice on the ground. Even though the sun was shining and it was actually quite warm, we came across lots of ice still hanging around.


Half of the lake was still frozen. The birds are reflected in the ice they're stood up on.


A beautiful swan who would insist on hissing at Archie to warn him off.


We enjoyed our walk. I think it's important to get outside when the sun's shining as we have enough enforced time indoors due to the weather as it is. The weather has taken a turn for the worse since these photos were taken and it's been much cooler again, though the snow which was forecast, thankfully, hasn't materialised.

36 comments:

  1. Wonderful photos, Jo. We've had a few spots of snow today but nothing's sticking ... thankfully!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. It keeps sleeting here but I don't think we're going to get any heavy snow. I've had enough of it already this year though, so I don't want any more.

      Delete
  2. Amazing photos Jo... Do you mind me asking what sort of camera you use? I'm looking to buy a new one, and I've been asking around. Your photos are crisp and clear and lovely!
    I hope you have a great week, and you're truly blessed to live in such a beautiful part of the World!
    Tammy x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. Of course I don't mind you asking. I have three cameras which I use. My first foray in to digital photography was with a Fujifilm Finepix 2800Z. I loved that camera, but it was only a 2MP so I decided to upgrade it. I wanted something a little less bulky, and though I was always really happy with Fujifilm, I decided to go for a Canon Powershot A1100IS. I opted for this purely because it had a viewfinder, which I thought would be handy in sunny conditions when it's hard to see the screen. Wrong. I've never used the viewfinder, and I don't rate the camera. I wanted to go back to Fujifilm, and decided on a bridge camera. I went for the Finepix S2950. I'm very happy with this camera, but it can be a little bulky to carry around, so I was still keeping the Canon in my bag. Eleanor has a cheap Fujifilm camera which takes better photos than my Canon, so at Christmas, I asked Mick for a cheap Fujifilm camera which I could carry around with me in my bag. He bought me the Finepix AX500 and this is what these photos have been taken with. It only cost £40 and the photos were taken on the automatic or preset settings, and I think they're of a reasonable quality, certainly for £40. I'm no photographer, and I don't really understand photography, but I'm happy with my little £40 camera, and it's small enough to carry everywhere with me.

      Delete
    2. Wow. I would say so... that the pictures are absolutely perfect for 40 pounds! I thought you were going to say that the camera was at least 500 pounds, one of those really expensive nice ones... I'm not photographer either, but I would like a nice camera. I've been using my phone and it takes horrid photos, it's meant to be 8mp but it doesn't take a photo like 8!
      Thanks for this Jo! xx

      Delete
    3. You're welcome. It just goes to show that you don't have to spend loads on a camera to get a passable photo. I'm very happy with my little camera, and it's so easy to use which is the most important thing for me.

      Delete
  3. Terrific pictures, and it's fascinating to look at lichen and bark.
    I agree about getting out and about at this time of year. Flighty xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. There's so many interesting things to look at, a walk need never be dull. I'm out every day with Archie, rain or shine, but it's always much nicer when the sun comes out.

      Delete
  4. hi jo
    wonderful photos.....love the great shot of lichen.we have snow fall again.
    have a nice week,
    regina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I think lichen is so fascinating, the whole tree was literally covered in the stuff. Hope your snow doesn't last long, I've had enough of it now so I don't want any more.

      Delete
  5. Ooh, I havent been to Fairburn ings for a few years! Your pics are beautiful Jo, we really do have some beautiful places around these parts dont we?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We're very lucky to have such beautiful places to visit. You should have a trip to Fairburn Ings, it's really lovely, especially when the sun's shining.

      Delete
  6. I really like your lichen and bark photos. I couldn't believe that the camera only cost £40. We've had a few snowflakes here today but nothing that will hand around.
    June

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I was fascinated with the lichen, it covered the whole tree. I'm really impressed with Fujifilm cameras, I've always been very happy with them.

      Delete
  7. Hi Jo, I'm just starting up another blog, stopped blogging about a yr ago(yankee teapot) but I continued to look on blogs and yours was one of them. I like your pictures of the lichen, will have to look up Fairburn ings. On a walk by us, linely wood (think I spelt that right) there was black lichen on some of the trees near a river it is mysterious stuff.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice to see you blogging again, I shall pop over to your blog shortly. I love looking at all the things Mother Nature leaves hanging around on our walks, there's always so much to see.

      Delete
  8. I think your walk was a lot nicer than mine today!
    Love from Mum
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My walks aren't always as lovely, especially when I'm pounding the streets with Archie because it's too wet to do much else.

      Delete
  9. What wonderful photos. They actually make me very homesick for Yorkshire although I am an Ozzie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting, and for your lovely comment. I would be very homesick for Yorkshire if I had to move away, I love it here.

      Delete
  10. What beautiful photos Jo, We really enjoyed the lovely weather on Monday and Tuesday.

    Sft x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The lovely weather was a bit of respite from all the rain we've had. It's back to being cold and dull again now, though it's only February so I don't suppose we can expect much else at the moment really.

      Delete
  11. We cannot beat the beauty that God has given us through nature and the joy of the bounty's of our earth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's very true, I don't think the natural beauty which is all around us can be improved up on.

      Delete
  12. Beautiful photos of mother nature putting on a show in the sunshine.
    Lisa x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. Everything does look so much better in the sunshine.

      Delete
  13. It looks like you had a lovely walk. Its been SO nice to see a little bit of blue sky. Jx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We really enjoyed our walk. It's always nicer to walk when the sun's shining, and there was a bit of warmth there too.

      Delete
  14. Gorgeous blue skies Jo - need to be reminded of that today, so grey and miserable down south x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's the same here today, hard to believe that we had such lovely weather last week when we're back to cold, dull days again.

      Delete
  15. Still loving the pictures! I have given you an award. You can see it here; http://angeljemscitycottage.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/an-award-and-my-reply-better-late-than.html
    Hope you have fun! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, it's very much appreciated.

      Delete
  16. So many lovely photos, especially that one of the peeling bark. I'd almost forgotten we had sun last week. Glad you were out and about making the most of it.

    Gillian x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We get so few sunny days that they're easily forgotten. The sun's shining again today though, I think we're due a few days of warmer weather again.

      Delete
  17. What BEAUTIFUL pictures, they warmed my heart. I especially loved the blazing colour of the bark and that serene swan.xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. There's so much beauty around us if we just open our eyes to it. I must admit that I notice so much more as I get older and don't take so much for granted anymore.

      Delete