Early Morning Walk

Sometimes its nice to get out nice and early for a walk to miss all the crowds that are around in the current situation, so this morning my wife and I ventured on a 5 mile walk taking in some fantastic scenery and walking fast to keep warm in the -4 degrees temperature. As always I took the camera along with me just to see what I could see.

First thing I spotted was a neighbour's cat sat gazing out onto the avenue thinking there is noway I want to go outside in this cold!

Then at the top of Alkincoats Park a crow sat high on a tree shouting car car, which I thought a bit strange as I saw no cars near us at all.

Whilst walking through Alkincoats Park we witnessed a male Blackbird sifting through the dead leaves looking for worms or spiders and watching him for a while he was quite successful in his hunt.

The frozen canal didn't help with trying to spot one of the local Kingfishers that frequent the area

Then what we originally thought was a leaf blowing in the wind turned out to be one of the smallest Wrens I've seen sat on the steps going down to the Mile Tunnel, An adult Wren weighs about the same as a £1 coin, Wrens eat spiders and insects which they find while hopping and dashing along the ground and probing in crevices with their long thin bill.

Then onto the Leeds & Liverpool canal where we said hi to this colourful fella a Madarin Duck, A pretty and distinctive little waterbird. This duck was introduced from the Far East as it's name suggests. Oddly for a duck, It nests in trees, sometimes quite high above the water.

Then a walk along the road back home for a warming drink at home.

Enjoy your weekend and keep your eyes peeled for the wildlife that is around all of us.

Steve