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In 1977 we hired our first narrowboat from Anglo Welsh at Market Harborough.From that moment our destiny was set. In 2006 we finally purchased our own brand new 57' narrowboat which we named 'Free Spirit'. Our aim is to travel the length and breadth of all the navigable rivers and canals of the UK. This will be our story as it unfolds.

Thursday 4 October 2018

We got lucky

Yesterday, 5.30pm, a glance out of the window and a flash of white caught my eye. Racing toward the stern of FS grabbing the camera on my way and there he/she was. Known as Pinky by Sue (No Problem XL) it was in full hunting mode. Pinky was so far away it was difficult to focus yet managed to get a few photos nevertheless.






 For 30 minutes we watched as he/she hunted before disappearing with what looked to be a vole clutched in its talons.

Clutching a vole?


 And later that night, the sun setting over the Thames.


 Today we have stayed on the meadow. I cannot describe how amazingly quiet and peaceful it is here. We did get the odd plane flying over heading for Brize Norton.


 Left Ian touching up FS's paintwork and headed off to the reservoir. Before I knew it two hours had gone by in a flash. Oops, I was supposed to be back by midday to prepare the food for a BBQ. 12.45pm and spied Ian looking out for me. He'd got fed up waiting so got the BBQ out, sorted the food and poured out the wine. (Note to myself. Must be late more often!)

 
Lamb kebabs and the sheep disappear.


 Hoping for another glimpse of Pinky but I know he/she doesn't always hunt on the same meadow twice in a row. Going to keep a lookout all the same.

Oh just to let you know that the International space station is due to fly over London and South for 2 minutes from W to SE at around 8.15pm. If your lucky enough to have clear skies you should get a good view.

Some photos from my walk,



Geese

Tufted duck being chased by a Coot


Not sure what duck this is. Only one seen on the reservoir. (Thanks goes to Jennies son at identifying it as a Red-crested Pochard)

Common Darter






5 comments:

stevefree said...

Only duck with a yellow tipped beak that I know of is the female goldeneye but their head should be all brown. Maybe a juvenile not quite fully feathered. They do favour lakes.
Or it could be an escaped exotic.

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Thanks, Steve. I'll have a look on the web.

Jennie said...

Hi Irene - I have it on good authority (our son!) that the duck is a juvenile Red-crested Pochard. Jennie x

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Hi Jennie, Tell your son he's a star. Looked it up and he was quite right. Thanks. xx

Jennie said...

You are welcome Irene. With two other colleagues he runs an International Ecology Consultancy. Ornithology is his speciality, so he should know his stuff. xx

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