Monday 19 May 2014

Taking it Slow and Easy.


With much warmer temperatures forecast for today I drove to Riverside Country Park for a very leisurely stroll. While the grassland areas were covered in yellow a traverse of the marsh boardwalk didn't produce any wildlife images but I did see Swift, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Wren, Blackbird, Blue Tit and heard Common Whitethroat and Blackcap. No Terns on the lake raft as two Canada Geese appear to have taken up residence.

Alongside the path I spotted one Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) butterfly taking a well earned rest.


Turning onto the towpath alongside the River Wey Navigation all the male Mallard were also chilling out together.





A Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) briefly rested close to my feet. Such a colourful dainty butterfly.

The real waterside action was the extraordinary numbers of Banded Demoiselles (Colopteryx splendens). The males were flitting hither and thither not perching for long in case they missed the very sparce numbers of females on the wing.

At Bowyers Lock I met up with Brian and his wife who take it slow and easy every day as they have been living on their narrow boat ever since retirement, traveling the length and breadth of our waterways.

They were heading downstream to join the River Thames and after an interesting chat it was time for me to head home.  FAB.

Linking to NATURE NOTES 

10 comments:

  1. Really nice photos, Frank. The Butterflies are so pretty.

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  2. With beautiful weather and nature bursting forth all around what better excuse do we need than to get out and enjoy the sights and sounds. A lovely set of images and account of your walk Frank.
    Hmmm!, I wonder if my piggy bank will stretch to a narrow boat?...[;o)

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    Replies
    1. Trevor, I guess you may have to squeeze that 'piggy' real hard!

      Brian said it cost £60k (presumably new) and they can live fairly comfortably on £10k p.a. .... still tempted?

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    2. Ah! well...dream on, I suppose?...[;o(

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  3. Enjoyed your stroll, taking in the sights of summer Frank.
    And sunshine too. :-)

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  4. Beautiful stroll.....surely there is nothing nicer than messing about on the river :)

    Two of my favourites amongst your images....the small copper and the banded demoiselle.
    Spotted several of the latter yesterday as I walked Nella by the river......they are just so pretty, aren't they?

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  5. ...sounds like the perfect day, Frank!

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  6. Keith, just a pity the sunshine didn't last very long!

    Thank you Kerri.

    Cheryl, if only the water ran closer to home I'd be alongside it every day.

    Kelly, it beats working.

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  7. Lovely area to be able to walk in Frank. You caught some great photos and I love the mating wheel. It will be a while before I can see any dragons or damsels.... Michelle from Nature Notes

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I hope you enjoyed your visit and I always appreciate your comments and feedback.

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