New Notice Board

 A new Notice Board has now been erected at Ferrymoor. The old one had previously been uprooted by vandals and thrown in the lake. Vandalism has been a problem in the past a viewing platform close to the the entrance was set fire to and completely destroyed. Also a bench near the lake on the other side was partly destroyed by fire. There is always someone that does not appreciate this place, but there are many more who do. As this is the last post of this year I would like to thank all of the viewers to this Blog especially those from the USA. I don't know how you found us but you are very welcome.

Reflections in the Lake

I had a short walk  around Ferrymoor yesterday morning. The winter light could not have been better. Sun being low in the sky helped with these cloud reflections. This was an experiment with my new iPhone that I treated myself to for Christmas. I thought I would see how it coped with Landscapes. To my amazement the picture quality compared to my professional camera is superb. I think Apple have finally got it right. But the iphone is no good for Macro as there is  has no control over depth of field. As for taking telephoto shots that is virtually impossible.

Canada Goose

 Is is normally quite difficult to get a photo of a bird in flight. I guess you could call this an exception. Many hundreds of these birds fly in to Ferrymoor eery year. Some stay for the breeding season and some ate just calling in for a visit. This is quite a large bird and when in flight make a weird noise from there very large wings. The underside is black but the upper side is a chocolate brown colour.

Misty Day

 The weather is not always good on my visits to Ferrymoor. The past few days have been showered in a heavy mist. More like fog really. These changes do help to create a bit of atmosphere to my photos though. This was taken just as you enter the reserve beside the first bit of island. I guess winter  has now arrived so we cannot expect much in the way of sunshine and warmth. Although a slight glimpse of the sun is always welcome. The answer to yesterdays post "Mute Swan Cygnet"

Who's feathers?

 Here is another quiz question for you. This bird is quite large in size but not fully grown. When it is the colour of the feathers will change. Normally in the past one or two pairs have been seen at Ferrymoor. But not so now, Unless you really now it is quite difficult to tell the male and female apart. There are several different species of this bird but I have only ever seen two on he lake.

Light at it's best

 There are many times that I have visited Ferrymoor when the light has been far more spectacular than anywhere else I have been to. This particular occasion was one of them. Normally as a photographer you would need to use a filter to obtain this sort of effect. But not this time the image is exactly as it came out of the camera with no post processing required. The semi silhouette has made made this a picture for me to be proud of.

Robin for Christmas

 This Robin was in a tree at Ferrymoor singing away to his hearts content. There are many of these birds to be seen on a walk around the lake. It seems quite appropriate to add this picture on Christmas Day as it has been voted  Britain's most popular bird for many years. With that red shiny breast and such a welcoming call this has to be the reason why.

Bark of a Tree

 Up close the patterns are quite different. The place where a branch has been sawn off is starting to heal over. There are many different kinds of trees at Ferrymoor. Some of them young saplings and some many many years old. Trees are a real  haven for wildlife including birds who build there nest on the outside on branches, and  insects that breed in the bark. Mammals can often be found inhabiting them including Grey Squirrels.

Mute Swans and Cygnet

 This family disappeared for a while but have now returned to Ferrynoor. Only one youngster survived and has now grown in to this magnificent Cygnet. Fortunately they are fed on a regular basis by volunteers who visit the reserve . One person nicknamed the Birdman of Ferrymoor visits nearly every day with food that has been donated by local businesses and people from Grimethorpe. There are many fish in the lake but not all of the birds are fish eaters. Most feed on seed, vegetation, insects and crushed bread.

Bramble Leaves

 Amazing these Bramble "Blackberry Bush" leaves are still green. The reason there is a blue sky for a background is they are growing very high up among some trees at Ferrymoor. I am sure if it were time for picking fruit only the birds would be able to get access to them. The answer to yesterdays post. "Mallard Duck Female".

Who's Feathers ?

 An abstract picture I captured at Ferrymoor recently. Closeup of a birds feathers. Can you tell what bird? Answers in the "Comments" box please. This is a bird that can always be found either on the lake or resting on the bank at the side. They even come up close visitors who present them with food. The male is more colourful than the female. Surprisingly there is also a Steam Locomotive with the same name. No connection though.

Moody Light

 Each time I visit Ferrymoor the lighting is always changes. This picture was taken late morning in early winter. The sun was in between the clouds but bright enough to reflect in to the water. It placed a cast  on the lake making it almost deep pink in colour. The trees and bushes on the far bank were also reflecting in the water. If only I were an artist. I would love to create this on canvas.

Animal damage

 Not all of the damage at Ferrymoor is caused by humans. The bark of this tree was quite possibly stripped by Grey Squirrels. I have noticed a couple of these creatures about. One seems to be enjoying life at the bird feeder. These are a native import and have disastrous impact on the Red Squirrel. Saying that the small amount of damage here will hopefully not affect the tree in the long term. 

Greylag Goose

 There are normally quite a few of these at Ferrymoor. Not so at the moment. It is an ancestor of the Domestic Goose. Also being the largest and bulkiest of the wild geese native to the UK. They also seem to be semi-tame which can be a disadvantage to them. The bright orange beak makes them stand out in a crowd with other birds. The scientific name Anser anser makes you think it could be connected to their call.

The Lake

 On a nice sunny day the reflections in the water always show up. Especially when there is a blue sky. This picture was taken from the second bench you come to when turning right at the bottom of the steps. Most of the leaves have fallen now leaving more of the view across the lake. The trees on the island look as if they are starting to get some buds on and only just a few odd leaves left. I have seen a few Dragonflies from this point in the past, possibly see some more next year.

Alder Catkins

 These seem to be appearing very early. I spotted these when I visited Ferrymoor the other day. Most of the other catkins do not show until spring. On a closer look they are definitely new and not left still hanging from earlier in the year. Not so spectacular as the willow catkins though. My favourite is pussy willow. When photographed closeup it really is special.

Nice sunny day

 After a few days of miserable weather the sun was shining on my walkaround Ferrymoor. There were plenty of Birds about but nothing unusual. A Grey Heron was standing beside the lake looking down in to the water for some fish. There seemed to be an awful lot of Black Headed Gulls that were perched and flying about. As I was walking along the path beside the front of the lake I spotted a mass of feathers. They were brown in colour and looked as if they were the remains of a Muscovy Duck that had been around for some time with an eye infection. Obviously the victim of a predator possibly s fox.

Cormorant

 This bird can be seen quite often at Ferrymoor Flash. They often stand with their wings spread open wide, They do this to dry off the feathers after a dive in the water. These birds are supreme fishers and can often be seen with fish in their mouths. They seem to be frequent visitors to Ferrymoor. I have seen one perched on a post close to the edge of the lake. There is a gap in the bushes where I can stand so to get a good shot  without disturbing them. 

Sunlight in the Water

 The early morning sun reflecting in the water at Ferrymoor Flash. This is along the path approach near the entrance to the reserve. This picture was taken just as the sun had risen on this frosty morning. Only able to get this particular shot in late Autumn or Winter as the foliage alongside the path obstructs the view of the lake. Many birds can be found on the island to the left. There were a couple of pairs of Canada Geese nesting on there this year. These managed to raise families of chicks that survived. 

Fallen Leaves

 I noticed these fallen Willow Leaves on a bench at Ferrymoor Flash situated on the west side of the lake. The shape of the leaves blended with the slats on the seat of the bench. I suppose you could say this is a bit of an abstract photo. It is strange how nature reacts to the changing in colour from green to a specked brown and then finally golden brown, Soon the wind will have blown them away where they will finally rot down to a compost and the process will start all over again next year.

Grey Heron

 What a majestic bird this is. There are not many times when I visit Ferrymoor that one or two of these cannot  be seen. This is a bird that can mostly be found in Lakes, Rivers,and Marshes. They  perch either in one of the trees on the island, or on some of the posts that are standing in the water. Also they stand in the shallow water looking down. If you are very lucky you can even spot them fishing. There are quite a few decent sized fish in the lake.Angling is strictly not allowed at any time.

In to the Light

 Shooting in to the light can give you some really artistic effects. This picture was taken  on a morning when the sun was very low in the sky. Visiting Ferrymoor quite often and at different times of the day can provide some extraordinary landscape pictures.The rule of photography is the best Landscape pictures are obtained 1hour after sunrise and 1hour before sunset. But I have managed to capture decent photos at other times. This photos was taken about 9.30 am a few days ago.

Raindrops on a Leaf

 Remnants of rain water left floating on a green leaf. One of my most favourite times to visit Ferrymoor is after a rainfall. Everything is covered in droplets of water.A good time to get out my Macro Lens and see what there is to capture in closeup. This leaf was attached to a Blackberry bush and still green unlike many others that had turned brown during the autumn months. Another time I love to capture in closeup is after a heavy frost. Watch this space.

Mute Swan Cygnet

One of this years fledglings. The Mute Swans at Ferrymoor seem to have more chicks than this but for some reason only one of them survive to grow up to be Cygnets and then fully fledged adults. There is still a pair of adult birds about but whether this is their Cygnet who knows. There are some predators about, a Mink has been spotted and captured on film by one of the regular visitors. Some people say this is not a threat to the birds. The main problem seems to be caused by humans, although calling them humans is being too kind. We can only hope next years breeding season will be more successful for the Birds at Ferrymoor.

Sunlight through the Trees

 A walk along one of the paths round the lake. This picture was taken yesterday morning as the winter sun was giving a cool glow to the scene. Just a few odd leaves left on the trees but many more laying on the ground. The normal collection of birds about. Coots, a pair of Mute Swans with a Cygnet, Mallard Ducks and a Grey Heron flying on to a fallen tree. The paths were rather boggy after the heavy rainfall and there were many twigs scattered about from the trees due to the strong winds. Storm Darragh is due to arrive today so lets hope there is not too much damage occurs.

Muscovy Duck

 The Muscovy is  a semi- domestic duck that is normally found close to human habitation. There have been several of these birds at Ferrymoor this year. I don't quite know how they got there though.  May be someone has off loaded them because of no longer needing them or they have become wild. They do not go hungry though as they are being fed by many regular and passing visitors. There are many different colours including White, Brown and Black.They all seem to have a reddish coloured face. This bird originates from Central and South America

In all its glory

Ferrymoor Flash is situated close to the village of Grimethorpe in South Yorkshire. It consists of a large lake with several small islands some that have been created by the forces of nature. There are many trees on the islands that are still growing although they have been uprooted and are laying down. The reserve is a haven for lots of different birds some are resident and some visitors.Many kinds of mammals and other creature can also be found here. I tend to visit the reserve at least once or twice a week to see what is about also meeting up with many visitors including one who regularly feeds the birds from food that has been donated by kind local resident's. This picture shows the reserve at its best. There was still a bit of autumn colour about. This picture was taken in November and used by BBCTV "The One Show" as part of the backdrop to their programme about stories that have got Britain talking..