OK, this was an unplanned trip out, not because of my leg, but because of various traffic issues around and about.
It was planned to go to Charlecote Park, for a chilled out half day with Mrs PR to celebrate our wedding anniversary. TBH, my wife needs a medal after putting up with me for all this time, but hey-ho, it was not to be Charlecote Park, there was a burst water main on the A46 between Longbridge Island (the M40 junc) and Warwick. Add to that with the Commonwealth Games, Warwick and leamington were closed to traffic for the cycle events, and the only other option was via Southam and Long itchington, which has roads closed for HS2 construction.
So Charlecote Park was a non-event this time.
With all the other road closures around, HS2 related and also a rather large housing estate between us and Birmingham, (I'm beginning to feel a prisoner in my own little environment these days with all the ongoing construction work along with my leg) left one option, Baddesley Clinton.
But wait, its the only available route from Birmingham to Warwick with the A46 closed!
But we chanced it, and damned pleased we did, the traffic was non-existent and added to that, Baddesley was very quiet as well.
Even better, once parked up and we'd entered the courtyard, there was a massive flypast of swallows!
Perfect.
I'd even got the new camera, but left the 2x extender at home.
A very pleasant wander around the grounds, past the moat (Baddesley Clinton is a medieval moated house) down to the lake, and being National Trust, has plenty of benches I could stop and sit to rest my leg.
The lake was generally quiet, apart from common darters chasing each other across the water. Sadly there was too much quick movement for me to photo just yet, but it was a pleasure for us both to sit and watch.
There were some mallard ducklings, probably a second brood, still very young and fluffy, with some older ones and others close to adult size and plumage and a moorhen perch on a log.
Also lots of bees and butterflies, and they were easy to photograph, even sitting down on one of the benches. I've no idea what the flowers are, other than they're bright, colourful, and the bees and butterflies were loving them.
And the butterflies. At 400mm uncropped on the new R5 with the 100-400 lens, a meadow brown
and cropped using the afore mentioned set up.
Another meadow brown, again cropped and using the afore mentiond setup.
and the last butterfly, a comma, again cropped as above
And the scoop of the morning before lunch, a swallow family, using the R5 and 100-400 lens.
One of the youngsters stretching its wings then scrambling back into the nest before mum or dad return with food...
All four back in the nest, ready for any food on offer...
In comes the food.....
Off to fetch some more food....
Busy parents, hungry chicks....
A successful morning, then it was off for lunch in the converted stable block before going back home.
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
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Regards, Hazel
Those are very good photos it’s good you managed to go there and take some photos. And I think you got lots of good action shots aswell When I was reading the scoop of the morning sentence i completely missed the dash beside a swallow family.
So I read And the scoop of the morning before lunch a swallow family using the R5 and 100-400 lens.
Unknown said:Firstly, Happy Anniversary to you and Mrs PR; although it is proving very hard for you to get out and about with the ongoing problems with your leg, I'm glad you did get to BC and brought back such a lovely set of photos with your new gear which is certainly impressive judging by the quality of photos. Just love the young swallows in the nest and incoming parent, fabulous ! The bee and butterfly photos are stunning too so really hope you can get more days out soon and enjoy more results from that new camera. Thanks for these as I know it would have taken a lot of effort to get the photos and post them up.
Thank you for the anniversary wishes, and also for the rest of the posting.
Thankfully many Nat Trusts are very nature orientated, along with a generous provision of bench seats to not only sit and take in the views, but also to rest as well. We're lucky here to have two Nat Trusts within 30 min drive that are very good with nature, while a third seems more agricultural of the right standard, not modern intensive, so not such a bad thing, but not as giving.
The new camera, well I'm just in total awe of the results, especially as I'm not very steady on my feet at the moment, or should I say one foot and a pivoting on a walking stick to help provide the balance.
I have to take my hat off to our young practice nurse, who's not long qualified, something I never knew until yesterday. She has had a baptism of fire with me, and taken it very professionally, because some of the dressings I needed were not immediately available, phoned my the specialist nurse at the hospital for help in getting all the right stuff, which resulted in a very productive conversation.
If you are considering the move to mirrorless, go for it Hazel. it isn't cheap, but then taking on board current prices and market conditions, along with the refined tech, I feel for what I get out of it so far, then it's worth the expense.
I will be out again, not sure when, but it will happen and not too long hopefully.
Zo Clark said:
Thank you Zo, and I'm glad you enjoyed the photos, as much as I enjoyed taking and sharing them
TJS said:Hi Mike,
Thank you Trevor.
I think a lot is down to the supportive work of the camera, and I'm very definitely enjoying the journey.
Bobs_Retired said:It's not a bad life if the only place you can visit is Baddesly Clinton :). I loved to visit there - always found time to snap the Swallows there too. Another fine set.
Thank you Bob.
Baddesley Clinton is certainly a fine place to have so close, and even just a short walk to the east towards the quaint little church of St Michael, the path is full of life and interest.