Saturday's Hoar Frost

Some images from the hoar frost in Toft on Sturday morning. It was very patchy as Hardwick, only a miles or so from Toft did not have the frost laden trees and in Comberton, a mile the other way the sun was out while we were still in the mist. This gave a variety of skies and light.

Welney Swan Roost

It was minus 12 degrees on my car thermometer at Welney when we arrived yesterday morning and I don't think the temperature rose much even when the fog cleared a bit and the sun came out. Everywhere except for the water right in front of the hide is frozen so not many swans came into roost in the evening. However, the quality and colour of the light made up for the comparative lack of flying. These are in chronological order showing the colour change in the light from a cold blue to the pinks after the sun had set. These are Whooper Swans except for the final Mute Swan. More of the frost and birds to follow!

Final Birds from Elveden

A final set of birds from the Elveden holiday for the records: Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Great Tit, Greater Spotted Woodpecker and Jay. the Jays came right to the patio able so these are full-frame images - just to make Phil jealous as they are normally very wary birds.

Aggressive Siskins

The siskins are very small birds but they certainly have big ideas and will see off much larger chaffinches and anything else that comes to the feeders. Perhaps this accounts for their rise in numbers in recent years .

Snowy Day in Toft

Overnight snow followed by a rosy dawn couldn't be ignored so I spent a couple of hours around Toft taking the coloured skies and my favourite trees.

As I was walking back, saw four hares playing in the rape field. They were so engrossed in play that I got relatively close though not close enough for a 70-200mm lens.

From the Bird Hide

A variety of the birds taken from the hide - Lesser Redpolls, Siskins, Chaffinches, Long-tailed Tits and Brambling.

From the Window in Elveden Forest

Selection of wildlife seen from our villa window.

Center Parcs Wildlife

I am spending a few days at Elveden Forest with Sadie and El. The birds and squirrels are very used to people and visit our patio. Here are the best of today's effort. The Jay came much closer but I wasn't ready with the camera. I was trying for birds in flight so am pleased with the Bluetit and Marsh tit (or is it Willow?). The Coal tit perched obligingly on the branch I had erected for it.