Back to Nature

Been distracted for a week with commissions, and poor ND has had to suffer snatched walks.  But it was a nice day on Thursday so we took off with a couple of friends for a long wander.
I was overjoyed to spot this little beauty (though I couldn't get very close with ND charging about the river bank)












20 years ago there was so much wildlife along the banks of the Torne and in the surrounding fields and the last time I saw a kingfisher on there before this year was Boxing Day 1996.  There were huge heronries, Water Voles, Brown Hare in abundance and Tree Sparrows; large flocks of Lapwing, Yellow Hammers in every hedgerow, and I once heard (but never saw) a Grasshopper Warbler.  I doubt I'll ever see Tree Sparrows again but this little Kingy gives me some hope.

And ND came home with a prize!

Sunday Morning Crafting

A quick bit of crafting before me and ND head out into the cold....

How the Egret got......

Raining on our parade today so plenty of time to finish this!

A Sad Day

I suppose it has to be done but ND and I walk along these fields watching Kestrels and Owls hunt and buzzards perching.  Mature hedgerows and trees gone

This is what it looked like in Summer.

And now.......

Nothing to see on the walk today but look who was having a wash and brush up in the pond when we got home!

Hellebores

ND and I did some gardening this morning and uncovered the hellebores. We also uncovered several rat holes!

There are signs of spring everywhere now

And time for a paddle to check out the water vole situation...

Goldfinches

Nettled feet again! Out late today so we didn't see much, apart from a distant kestrel and lots of crows. I'll brighten this feeble effort with my goldfinch painting

Shaggy Dog Story

Sunny and warm for ND's walk.  A pair of handsome Mistle Thrushes, hundreds of pied waggies on the fields (and what looked like Mipits) and a close encounter with a speedy male Sprawk.  All but one photo (of sheep) were deleted but ND had a grand time, and has the nettled feet to prove it!

Here's ND's parting shot!

Kingfisher

My Latest project...... Mixed media Kingfisher triptych.

Managed to sell him before the paint was even dry

A Grand Day Out

The Naturedog had a grand day out at Mablethorpe yesterday

Lots of interesting things had been washed up....

Whelk Case

Sea Potato

Sun Star

Meanwhile I was collecting driftwood for art projects.  Happy Days!