Green and Pleasant...

Today I have a view of White Coppice in Lancashire. It is quite an isolated spot but great for a walk with fantastic views out to the coast and from a little higher up the hill it is possible to see across to North Wales.

A gentle river flows through the valley where kingfishers fly. 

In the bottom left hand corner of this shot there are the ruins of an old mill which is a nice spot to sit and enjoy the sound of the water flowing downhill while reflecting on what a beautiful world we have.

Green And Pleasant Land

I have decided to share a landscape shot today. I know that not everyone likes landscapes but I like the way this one of Hawthornthwaite Fell in Lancashire. I like the way the shot is framed by the tree in the top corner and I like the shadows of the clouds across the fell and of the tree on the field which give the picture different layers and depth. I also love the fresh shades of green.

This was the fell (alongside Nicky Nook Fell) which overlooked the campsite where I stayed for a couple of nights last week. I needed a break away and this was just what needed. 

Al Fresco

When you need to clear your head a little Al fresco dining in the beautiful English countryside can help.

Oh So Cute...

This time of year is wonderful because you can see new life everywhere, as well as so much fresh greenery and lots of new flowers coming into bloom there are all sorts of new critters to be seen. 

The ducklings in today's selection were shot on a day out in Barlick (that's what the locals call Barnoldswick) in Lancashire. I had a really lovely walk along the canal and although I didn't get too many pictures there were one or two that really stood out. I absolutely love these little Mallard ducklings and I am particularly pleased with the clarity of the second image and I like the pose too. 

Brick Croft

A couple of years ago a friend introduced me to this place. It's called Brick Croft Nature Reserve, in Longton, Lancashire and as you can see it's a peaceful spot.  I've been back a couple of times and enjoyed myself immensely.

At different times of the year different birds visit this spot and on this occasion there were a few swans and a breeding pair of Great Crested Grebes.  The grebes had a chick in tow but unfortunately it stayed too far away from the banks and so I was unable to get a decent shot. So for today these pictures will have to do.

At Mere Sands

So there is a watery theme to today's pictures, that and woodland of course.  All of the pictures were taken this past weekend at Mere Sands Wood in Lancashire and it is a favourite place of mine.  It is really peaceful and on a day like Saturday it was especially nice to be there.  Walking around listening to the sound of birds in the trees and the chatter of newly hatched chicks in the many bird boxes scattered throughout the woods was just wonderful. 

It is predominately a nature reserve and there are a number of hides from which it is possible to observe the wildlife and although I didn't take any pictures of the birds on Saturday it was nice just taking some quiet moments, it was what I needed.

I hope you like the pictures I have chosen, the small pond was so peaceful and calm, if you enlarge the first image you will be able to make out some of the many fish that were basking in the afternoon sun.  The final two images are similar but of different stretches of woodland stream.  I love the colour of the trees and undergrowth in the sunlight and the reflection in the still water.