Sunday 28 September 2014

Watch The Skies


I love a great sunrise or sunset.  The pictures below were done mainly in the garden or hanging out of the bedroom window.




No effect has been added.  This was a particularly vivid solstice sunset in December 2013. 



Sunday 21 September 2014

Predators

In the last post about North Leverton Windmill I mentioned the autumn family fun weekend to raise funds for the upkeep of the windmill.  A regular feature at the weekend are the Yorkshire Hawking Club who bring a wide selection of raptors and put on flying displays for the crowds.  The club are very informative and will patiently answer any questions that people have about the birds.  below are a selection of photographs that I've taken in the past couple of years at the fun weekend.

Kestrel

Gyr

Golden Eagle
Harris Hawk

I can't remember what this one is called!
Barn Owl

Sunday 14 September 2014

Wind Power


North Leverton Windmill was built in 1813 and is still in active use today. The windmill is owned by a charity and is looked after by dedicated volunteers keen to keep this amazing piece of working heritage for future generations to enjoy.

I pass the windmill every day going to and from work and I like to buy the freshly milled flour from here as it makes excellent bread.  You can also explore the interior to see just how the mill works.
























































The Windmill is open to the public every Saturday and in September a family fun weekend is held to raise funds to support the upkeep.  There are craft stalls, vintage vehicles games and face painting for the kids and my personal favourites, the birds of prey (more of these next post).





Saturday 6 September 2014

Be Prepared


Last Sunday, we decided to get the mountain bikes out and get some exercise. It was a warm, sunny late summer day and we had intended to try a different route that a friend of mine suggested. I debated whether or not to take the camera along (most of route we do regularly so it would have offered little in the way of variety) but at the last minute I decided to take it along.  The good thing about a micro four thirds camera system is the size and the light weight.

On the way to the village of Sturton-Le-Steeple, we pulled over to watch what appeared to be two buzzards circling above us. Unfortunately I wasn't fast enough to get the camera out of my rucksack so the pictures I took where hazy and distant.  I was cursing for being too slow.

The Reindeer Inn at Sturton-Le-Steeple is a regular stopping off point for us when out on the bikes. We have a couple of routes that we take, one that clocks in around the nine mile mark and the other direct route is around three miles.  There has been a settlement here since Roman times and like many villages in this area it has its own architecturally interesting church opposite the pub.


The benches outside the pub are situated next to a large duck pond that has been very short on ducks in recent visits.  This time, we were greeted by the sight of eight ducklings being chaperoned by their mother.

















The sides of the pond are quite steep for the ducklings, so they've utilised the stepping stones to get out of the water.




















The ducks go pretty well where they want to without a care in the world.  They held up a car that was trying to leave the pub car park for almost five minutes as they scurried around, oblivious to the potential danger.



The mother led them across the road and into the graveyard of the church where we presume they have made a home for themselves away from danger.

 This alone made bringing the camera along worthwhile but a short time later I spotted something on the horizon speeding towards us.  The Vulcan Bomber (also on this post) was making another flight.  On its recent fly overs it has felt as though the pilot was deliberately teasing me.  It was either obscured by low cloud or it was crossing the sun which threw the plane into silhouette.  This time, I was ready for it.



 

We ended up having to end our bike ride prematurely due to a puncture on Terry's bike.  (tip, it's worth buying yourself a decent bike pump that actually pumps.)  Half an hour later and we had it temporarily repaired to make the journey back home.  Despite being covered in oil it was a worthwhile afternoon out.