Our Base in Majorca for a Week's Bird Watching

When I booked a week here in Majorca with Jet2, I was not expecting quite such a grand hotel - it was chosen for its location - right next to the S'Albufera Nature Reserve (third photo). It is also right on the beach with a very large pool. We had wonderful conditions to fly in going over the mountains (Puis Major), along the Alcudia Bay with Formentor peninsular in the distance and then over the land which at this time is a blaze of colour with wild flowers.

Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire 2

A few colour images from my walk at Fountain's Abbey on Thursday, trying to find a few different views, starting with a Polypody fern and Jelly Ear fungus. The oranges. pinks and reds in the sandstone blocks that comprise the Abbey showed up well in the sunlight.

 

Leicester University Botanic Gardens

After giving a talk to the Friends of the BG, I took a walk round the gardens to see what was in bloom. Here are a few incluidng Fritillarias, Snowflake, Azaleas, Camelias and Hellebores

Fountain's Abbey in Infrared

Yesterday's sunshine and a walk at Fountain's Abbey suited infrared photogaphy, here converted directly to monochrome. The very many visitors seemed to fit well into the scenes in infrared. Although sunny, it certainly wasn't spring warmth and I was glad of my gloves.

Ripon Cathedral

In Yorkshire again talking to a couple more camera clubs. I have never visited Ripon Cathedral even though a relative by marriage, George Chase, was Bishop from 1946 to 1959. A church has occupied the site of the present cathedral for almost 1,400 years. The present building is the fourth church on the site and has many styles; the gothic West Front and the East Window are fine examples of the Early English style. There are many interesting features including the late fifteenth century misericords, including one of a griffon chasing a rabbit down a rabbit hole, thought to have inspired Charles Dodgson, more famously known as Lewis Carroll, to write Alice in Wonderland. His father became a residentiary canon of the Cathedral in 1852.

Ted Enjoys the Toft Floods

After all the recent rain, the fields and roads are flooded around Toft. Ted enjoyed playing in the floods.