Short-Eared Owls

PLus a Skylark.  Seen near Welwyn this afternoon.

Ludlow

Images of Ludlow.  From top: the castle and Ludford Bridge; a Russian cannon captured at Sevastopol; a house beside the River Teme; the church and houses and lastly the Town Hall.

Shropshire

We arrived in Church Stretton to stay with Peter and Jane Howsam.  They took us up the hill behind their house, from where the view north-east took in The Lawley (pix 1 & 2) and The Wrekin (Pic 1).  On Friday afternoon we climbed up Carding Mill Dale, where Ann is negotiating icy rocks.  Going down was interesting.

Wicken Fen Winter Watching

It was dark by the time this male Hen Harrier came in to roost.  400mm x 1.4 tc  1/640th @ f/5.6 on ISO 6400.

January 2nd 2016

The girls were full-on today, loading tons of soft toys into the sitting room, and persuading Ann to help with a performance of 'Beauty and the Beast'.  Many costume changes were effected - at least the  polyester onesies keep them warm!