These geese were behaving just like a human family. The little ones dashed hither and thither while the parents tried to keep up, looking concerned. I like the way, on this shot, the parents seem to have merged into one, only the bizarrely extended neck of the one in the rear makes it properly visible. Amazing to think that the little balls of golden fluff will become just like Mom and Dad in a relatively short space of time.
Well, I was walking back from Old Town — I don’t know where this person’s itinerary had taken them. I am reminded now and again that I do live in a pleasant part of the world. That’s not an accident.
There’s a lot that could be said about Britain’s currently-mandated festivities, but I can’t be bothered. I spent the day finishing off my marking. To note the occasion, here’s some commercialised art, originally from 1977.
The second picture in a row to show another inhabitant of our living room that has more legs than Clare and I put together. Perhaps we should clean our now-unused fire grate a little more often, but now this beastie has moved in, we could let it lie for a while longer.
I said a few days ago that local fauna would start making some appearances: and on a day spent mostly indoors, marking, it was this or ‘dog in pub’. And I’ll see dogs in pubs more often than big, fat bumblebees being somewhat disoriented and disappointed by the fare on offer in our living room. I took the picture, but then I showed it the way out.
Jays are very handsome birds and it’s a shame we don’t see more of them. I could say that this specimen is the second jay to appear on the blog, but it may be the same one as depicted just under four years ago — as this photo was taken only around 100 yards from that one; both in close proximity to the Ellen Wilkinson building on campus (a.k.a. ‘the office’). I can’t spot any obvious differences in plumage, and I have a feeling that corvids like this can happily live for a decade or more, so I think I will declare this to be only the third bird — after two herons (Humph and Maris Crane) — that might have appeared on here more than once.
The Railway Inn is undeniably close to a main road. But we don’t let it spoil our enjoyment of the outdoor seating; one of Hebden Bridge’s best suntraps. Like the rest of us, Lynn was enjoying it this afternoon.
The last day of my latest break from work provided an opportunity for Clare and I to finally finish off the Calderdale Way, which we started 15 months ago. Nine legs and 50 miles later we returned to Heptonstall church and thus completed the circumnavigation of our home valley. On the way, some very fine views, even if they were of familiar places. This is one of the rare shots that just about gets away with having a telephone wire stretched across it: it’s there, if you know where to look.
St. Bartholomew’s Church in Ripponden is a fine looking building in its way, and its graveyard an atmospheric and photogenic spot — but someone really needs to cut the grass.
There has been a lot of movement around the country for me lately, but today marks the start of a longish stretch at home. As in other such periods I will have to hope that Hebden Bridge keeps me inspired. The local fauna and flora is often a good place to start: this blackbird posed somewhat impatiently, but did allow me to get in his close-ups.
Being 42 