Spur Gears / Cogs

Chaffinch: Fringilla coelebs

I was surprised to discover the chaffinch is the most common bird in the U.K. If I had to guess I would've said the most common are seagulls, pigeons, sparrows, blackbirds and starlings.

The most common birds are actually as follows. It looks like I need to take a few more photos to complete the set!:

1. Chaffinch ✓
2. Wren
3. Blackbird ✓
4. Robin ✓
5. Wood Pigeon
6. Blue Tit
7. Dunnock
8. Great Tit
9. Starling
10. House Sparrow

Snowflakes

This morning we had the first decent snow of winter and the first chance to take photos of individual snowflakes. Here's the best attempt so far. The trick is to pick out a snowflake with the tip of a knife and move it a cold black surface. :-)

The first was taken on matt black plastic. Photo 2 & 3 used black paper. I'm still looking for a less reflective background and a better way to control the light.

Catrigg Force

Catrigg Force is an impressive waterfall as Stainforth Beck flows into a haunted dell. No-one seems to know who or what haunts the dell. I certainly didn't spot anything unusual when I visited after dark :-)

Autumn Maple

At the weekend we visited Chatsworth House in Derbyshire and walked the gardens and woodland trail. The autumn leaves looked quite spectacular, particularly the red maple. :-)

The berries of the yew tree look unusual. The seed is formed first then the red flesh grows around the seed, leaving an opening at one end. The seeds are poisonous, as are most parts of the yew tree...

Warrendale Knotts Cave

Warrendale Dale Knotts Cave is hidden on Warrendale Knotts 60m above the Settle to Attermire footpath. The cave isn't the easiest to find, located behind a limestone block and a patch of nettles. There are approx 20m of passage, all crawling :-(