Sunday 20 March 2011

Equinoctial ramblings

Not such a warm day, but it was the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, the official start of Spring.

We visited Linford Lakes in the morning, where the Chiffchaffs were calling to welcome in the new season.


The flowers, too, were keen to show that life is being renewed before our eyes. The Lesser Celandines have been out for a while, whilst these were our first Coltsfoots (Coltsfeet?) of the year.



In the afternoon, we headed down to Walton Lake and were greeted by warm sunshine. A few Mallard ducks loitered by a viewing platform and I took the opportunity to focus on the bright wing feathers (or speculum) of both male and female.



Our visit was punctuated by a few Comma butterflies, though as it was chillier today, this was the only species seen.


And let's not forget, the flight season for dragons and damsels is only a month away!

5 comments:

holdingmoments said...

Exciting times ahead Graeme, with the arrival of spring.
I'm looking forward to the dragon season.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Graeme .. beautiful pictures .. chiffchaffs, the coltsfoot - I don't have to say the plural .. I don't know .. foots or feet, the colours of the mallard and the Comma ..

Love the posts you post .. cheers Hilary

Imperfect and Tense said...

Keith, Apologies, I meant to congratulate you on your Sand Martins. Once the hirundines start to appear, it really does feel like the year has changed up a gear.

Hilary, Many thanks. It is always a pleasant surprise to hear that folk enjoy reading my crimes against literature!

Spadger said...

Lovely pictures - I guess you managed to get out without Wrong Lens

Imperfect and Tense said...

Hi John, Twas Very Wrong Len. He came unstuck at Walton Lake though, all those reed stems made finding a reference point very difficult. If only the birds would helpfully perch next to the tennis balls.