A new year and a new photo thread to keep us entertained through the months ahead.

My first addition is something suitably seasonal - a wintery scene taken in the Amsterdam woods.

All contributions very much welcomed, and if the photos we've seen in previous years is anything to go by, we've a lot to look forward to.

Enjoy!

Lapwing . Mooching about for insects

Ste

A few from the last few days

On 25/04/2018 at 21:40, TattooDave said:

Looks like a willow warbler to me Ste, but I'm no expert

I agree it is a Willow Warbler the chiffchaff is very similar but they have darker legs.  Nice find

 

Suz 

The spring wildflowers have arrived down my favourite woods where I live.  Mosschatel/Town Hall Clocks; Wood Anemones; Primroses, Dog Violets; Wood Sorrel 

You would think these were the same wildflower if you did not know.  The first is Barren Strawberry and the second Wild Strawberry.  They are two different wildflowers both in bloom down my favourite woods 

On 24/04/2018 at 19:30, Winsford Soul said:

ID question for Martyn 

 I think its a Willow Warbler but not sure ?

It was sulking about in the bush not calling or singing so I couldn't ID it that way . Sorry its not a clear picture mate couldn't get a clean shot through the branches then it disappeared. 

Steve

 

 

Sorry Steve missed this, I would say Willow Warbler the pale cheek area below the eye would not be on a Chiffy

Found this beautiful lichen growing on a fencepost massive it was.  Was really surprised as usually see it growing down the woods on the trees it is Evernia Prunastri aka Oakmoss they used to use it to make perfume 

Fresh out of the oven, my Boozy Bread and Butter Pudding.....

7 hours ago, suzannek said:

Found this beautiful lichen growing on a fencepost massive it was.  Was really surprised as usually see it growing down the woods on the trees it is Evernia Prunastri aka Oakmoss they used to use it to make perfume 

That's stunning Suz.  👍

Steve 

Xanthoria Parietina crustose lichen 

Mallard Duckling.

Time to go. Oh so cute

Steve

Cherry blossom in the Amsterdam woods...

1 minute ago, Russell Gilbert said:

Cherry blossom in the Amsterdam woods...

 

Love the contrast between the blossom and the beautiful blue sky ( whatever that is ). 

Russell.  Just to remind you that its time for you to post the winners photographs from last month and I think March.

Cheers 

Steve

2 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said:

Love the contrast between the blossom and the beautiful blue sky ( whatever that is ). 

Russell.  Just to remind you that its time for you to post the winners photographs from last month and I think March.

 Cheers 

Steve

Blue sky - a rare treat. I'm just sorry the cherry blossom got in the way! 

Most-liked photos of the month... Had forgotten and so will do it a bit later. 

Sunset silhouettes...

2 minutes ago, Russell Gilbert said:

Blue sky - a rare treat. I'm just sorry the cherry blossom got in the way! 

Most-liked photos of the month... Had forgotten and so will do it a bit later. 

Sunset silhouettes...

Love the silhouette. And thank you kind sir

Steve 

Bluebell. ( singular ) so hard trying to isolate just one plant 

Steve

Sunset at Siesta

Ed

3 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

Bluebell. ( singular ) so hard trying to isolate just one plant 

Steve

 

Spanish bluebells, Hyacinthoides hispanica, sadly they reproduce far quicker than the native species.

22 minutes ago, TattooDave said:

Spanish bluebells, Hyacinthoides hispanica, sadly they reproduce far quicker than the native species.

I know Dave. That's about the only thing that I know about them. Unfortunately there are no English bluebells around Pennington flash. 

Steve 

1 hour ago, Winsford Soul said:

I know Dave. That's about the only thing that I know about them. Unfortunately there are no English bluebells around Pennington flash. 

Steve 

That's a shame, the Spanish ones are bullies and will muscle in anywhere they can.

A Mancunian sunset

We have a three-way tie for the most-liked photos for the Month of March!

The very worthy winners are...

On 10/03/2018 at 11:20, Soulfinger said:

Cake made for my retirement. My former colleagues know me well....Tasted lovely too!

 

On 15/03/2018 at 11:32, soulandy said:

Happy belated new year :-)

Great photos as always on here and I'll put a few up that Ive got just recently.

Three from a very warm spring like day on Snowdon on Tuesday 13 March. Clear views from the summit, a Chinook flyby and a very still calm reflection of the horseshoe from Plas y Benin that had the photographers out in force. Great day

 

 

On 29/03/2018 at 21:49, Rick Cooper said:

Not exactly great photos, just a few deer in the distance, but they are a herd that are roaming free locally. I first saw three or four a few years back but they ran off as soon as they saw anyone. After the snow last week they appeared in this farm field, seemed to like it and stuck around for about five days. They've gone now but as far as I know are still in the area. Re wilding starts here.....

Congratulations @Soulfinger @soulandy & @Rick Cooper!!! 

Edited May 3, 20187 yr by Russell Gilbert
Spelin

The most-liked photo for the month of April is this ice-tastic shot...

On 12/04/2018 at 21:15, wayoutgirl said:

Hollingworth Lake jetty Littleborough Rochdale during the Beast from the East saga. 

Congratulations @wayoutgirl! 

Well done Sandra & the runners up  thanks Russell.

1 hour ago, Russell Gilbert said:

The most-liked photo for the month of April is this ice-tastic shot...

Congratulations @wayoutgirl! 

Thankyou

Edited May 3, 20187 yr by wayoutgirl
Glencoe and Fort William sky

2 minutes ago, wayoutgirl said:

Thankyou

Lovely Sandra 

Steve 

10 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said:

Lovely Sandra 

Steve 

Don't fall for it Ste, she is after another win

9 minutes ago, Widnes63 said:

Don't fall for it Ste, she is after another win

Ha ha me ? Never 😂

3 hours ago, Mark S said:

A Mancunian sunset

Mark. I'm trying to suss out where the picture was taken from. It's obviously the Bethan tower in the back ground and it looks like the radio masts between Ashton and Oldham on the right and the M60 in the front left foreground. 

Steve

8 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

Mark. I'm trying to suss out where the picture was taken from. It's obviously the Bethan tower in the back ground and it looks like the radio masts between Ashton and Oldham on the right and the M60 in the front left foreground. 

Steve

Taken on the carpark at Ikea in Ashton .

Just taken with my phone . I am useless with an actual camera .

Edited May 4, 20187 yr by Mark S

Cow Green reservoir in Upper Teesdale 4.5.18

 

 

 

One from this morning in the back garden sunshine. Unfortunately I cant remember its name its some sort of Gorse. Dave over to you mate 

And yes that is blue sky in Manchester, wish it was red but there you go

Steve

 

3 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

One from this morning in the back garden sunshine. Unfortunately I cant remember its name its some sort of Gorse. Dave over to you mate 

And yes that is blue sky in Manchester, wish it was red but there you go

Steve

 

looks like Berberis darwinii to me Steve, not remotely related to gorse, a nice family of shrubs which bees, hoverfly and other insects enjoy.

Donkey 

Spot the imposter!

And a botanical one, Cyperus papyrus, known as paper sedge.

2 hours ago, TattooDave said:

looks like Berberis darwinii to me Steve, not remotely related to gorse, a nice family of shrubs which bees, hoverfly and other insects enjoy.

Thanks Dave.  I knew that you would put me straight mate. 

Steve 

13 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

I knew that you would put me straight mate. 

Not sure he has got that much time spare to be honest Steve 

A simple Blue Tit amongst the Phragmites reeds, they often search for insects in the feather flower spikes of the reeds. 

52 minutes ago, martyn pitt said:

A simple Blue Tit amongst the Phragmites reeds, they often search for insects in the feather flower spikes of the reeds. 

Martyn.  How do you know it's simple ? Isn't that blue tit-ism ? 

Steve 

1 hour ago, martyn pitt said:

Not sure he has got that much time spare to be honest Steve 

What are you trying to say Mr Pitt 😂 

Steve 

A strange one for you to try and identify...

1 hour ago, TattooDave said:

A strange one for you to try and identify...

A wild form of nettle or artichoke Dave? 

Im sure I’m wrong. 

P

35 minutes ago, Peter99 said:

A wild form of nettle or artichoke Dave? 

Im sure I’m wrong. 

P

Quite right Pete, you are wrong!!!

Triffid?

Just now, Steve S 60 said:

Triffid?

Not as such!

23 minutes ago, TattooDave said:

Quite right Pete, you are wrong!!!

🙁

🖕

😂😂😂

12 minutes ago, Steve S 60 said:

Triffid?

Cactus

 

 

23 minutes ago, Peter99 said:

🙁

🖕

😂😂😂

Cactus

 

 

getting closer Pete, but not close enough.

Foreign rhubarb?