If I am not away elsewhere, I usually try to get out a bit and more often than not end up doing a round of one or both of the local reserves. Carr Vale Flash nature reserve was established in a former mining area where a group of small lakes or flashes had formed due to the industrial workings. They are located in the Doe Lea valley close to the Carr Vale area of town where we live.
These pictures give a flavour of what can be seen on just a short evening stroll in the spring. Things change almost on a daily basis, and this April the weather changes virtually minute by minute.
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| Meadow Flash, Carr Vale - after April showers |
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| Evening at Meadow Flash, Carr Vale reserve |
Meadow Flash is in open fields, the others are more secluded and enclosed. A pair of Great Crested Grebes has taken to the other main lake this year. Just one of them was out and about this evening. I do not have the big lenses and equipment necessary for close ups of birds, but did manage to get a silhouette with the unmistakable outline of this elegant and striking bird.
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| Silhouette, Great Crested Grebe |
The smaller middle lake between the other two sometimes comes up well for a picture. The reeds are just coming to life, and I always like the patterns on water, whether reflections on still water, or abstracts caused by ripples or waves. This evening the water was calm in this sheltered spot.
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| Reeds in the middle lake at Carr Vale |
Many of the spring flowers are now in full force. One of my favourites (although with a long flowering season not restricted to spring) is the White Dead Nettle. To me it seems to be camera friendly, showing up lovely details. A tiny bug of some sort also features in this evening's shot.
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| White Dead Nettle |
One common flower that seems to have eluded me until this year is Ground Ivy. I saw it the other day and got a nice picture, and managed to identify it successfully, realising I had somehow missed out on getting to know it before. It is a lovely little plant, and enticed me into taking another picture of another good patch of what is obviously a widespread plant.
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Ground Ivy
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As noted in a recent piece, I am very intrigued by lichens but put off by their complexity. This one, however, is common and quite recognisable, and I managed to identify it through visual comparison without too much trouble. It's simply called Common Orange Lichen.
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| Common Orange Lichen |
It always seems worthwhile getting out, and there's usually something fresh to see, even on a familiar little walk. How pleased I am to have become interested in photography - it is literally an eye opener. I was already interested in places and nature in general, but the combination with photography is focussing things much more for me. Above all it directs my thoughts in wonder and awe before the Creator God, with evidence of the hand of a master designer at work on every hand.
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