Ambling with Aconites

 Retrieving my old waterproof from the car I gathered bins and camera with macro lens attached to go and do battle with the cemetery aconites.  The old waterproof because I was planning on some intimacy with the ground to get a low perspective on the aconites.  I was much more pleased with today's efforts; the birding lens is not ideal for aconite photography.  Moving on to the woodland burial ground I hoped to see the deer again but no luck today.  Having the macro with me, though, I did have a much more successful go at the lovely lichens; it was only when processing the images that I noticed the wintering ladybird.  No sign of the alder goldfinches again today but the snowdrops are coming on a pace.

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Flowers brighten a grey day at Irby.

It was my turn to take Jet for a walk this morning so I set out this morning to try and avoid the rain (not quite though!).  It started out bright first thing but soon clouded over and began to spit with rain; there was also a biting wind and, as I am somewhat follically challenged and had forgotten my hat, I was fully aware of.  Just before setting off for our walk in the dale, I decided to check out the aconites in one of the gardens in the village.  As I hoped it was a carpet of vibrant yellow dotted with the white of snowdrops.  Across the road I noticed there was a very rich growth of lichens on a fence which is encouraging news as they are very sensitive to pollution and a good indicator species.  It was good, as well, to hear the rooks calling as they wheeled around above the church yard.  Despite being cold and raining by the end we had an excellent walk and it was cheering to find some gorse in flower.  On the drive out I spotted my first daffodils and crocuses in flower on the dual carriageway out of Grimsby.  I noticed very little birdlife today other that the rooks and a few blue and great tits.

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Aconites

Gorse

Lichen

Lichen

Aconites.  Taken with Canon 500mm + extension tube.

Crocus - Sigma 10-20mm

Crocus - Canon 100-400mm plus extension tube.

Daffodil