Winsford Soul

I'm not in the bit envious Dave. Sat here in rain sodden Manchester. With 24 /7 neighbour's and traffic. No smileys on my Kindle so can't put up a sarcastic smile. Steve

Same here. Hope your spoiling Gill. Steve

Just went into the garden and seen this spider. The fly never had a chance Steve

This picture of a Hobby was taken less than a minute after I had removed my 400ml lens and replaced it with a 200ml lens. I was trying to photograph a bright blue dragon fly about 60 maybe 70 cms long when I heard the swallows distress calling looked up and the hobby was flying over about 100 metres above me . that's typical of the luck I've had lately. Steve

Forgot to post this yesterday. I have a school at the back of my house and in between us is a field with some rather large tree's. At one point there where 16 magpies in the one tree. It's something that I have never seen before. Anyone on here experienced anything similar with such a large amount gathered together ? Steve

Good evening my friend. Weather's been quite good considering the forecast in the six hour walk it probably rained for 30 minutes and that wasn't heavy, much to my disappointment. Wanted to try my new jacket out. Steve

Been out and about in them there hills above hebden bridge today at a place called hardcastle crag. Walked about 9 miles of the 15 miles of paths that are available. Quite hard going in a few places especially with big camera bag pack weighing about 12kilos. Not much wildlife about seen a few dippers and a grey wagtail, no picture's of dippers again. Found a hardcastle crag speciality which I had never seen before.the hairy wood ant Britain's largest ant. Will have a look later to see if any decent pictures. Steve

No. If you don't know who they are your not worthy. Sorry no smiley things. On a serious note. IMHO There's nothing wrong with the records mentioned in the article infact I like them but the thing is at a nighter the unwritten law is original vinyl only.END OF. That's how I was brought up on this scene and I'm sure over 90% of people would have been to. Steve

Pete. I went back to station road once.even though I said I would never go back. Me and a lady friend went for a walk one night from one of the Wigan maxines niters . Sat on the wall opposite where it used to be. One of the strangest and saddest night's of my life. Still makes me sad today thinking back. Steve

Dave. It's amazing when you start digging a little deeper into a subject you think you know. Then all these amazing things start to appear and it turns out that you have only just scratched the surface. Isn't life wonderful when you discover that you have only just started the particular journey. Steve

With all the time that I've been lucky enough to have had off work this year I've managed to get my British bird count up to 130 different species. That includes summer and winter migrants. There's still a lot to see. I noticed that there wasn't that many waders and Ducks on my list so maybe have to get out and about to some estuaries this winter to up the count. Steve

Dave. Nail on the head mate. Fun, that's what life should be. Steve

Dave. Your not competitive by any chance are you mate. Never had anyone overtake me. That's class and just the sort of thing I would say. The shrike I seen in Turkey was perched on a telegraph pole as we went past in a coach but luckily for me we where in a little bit of traffic so was going quite slow and got chance to get a good view Steve

Dave. It certainly looks like a great grey shrike. Only ever seen one and that was bout 15 years ago in Turkey. Steve

Russell. A thousand posts, it's apt that the starter gets to the milestone post. Big thanks for starting this fabulous thread and topic, it gives myself and all the other soulies that's interested in wildlife of any description a chance to send in pictures and comments Steve

Sorry double post Steve

Scree has got to be the worst thing in the world for walking on, it slides underfoot,it wrecks your boots, your knees ache and if you slip you just know it's going to hurt and cut your hands. I try to avoid it if at all possible. Steve

That's a night I wish to forget. I was ill and couldn't go there. Chuck Jackson must have had a jinx on me . I also missed him when he was on with I think Lorraine Chandler somewhere. Finally got to see him at the Northampton weekender about 5 or 6 years ago.must admit it was worth the wait. Absolutely amazing performance and then had the pleasure of chatting to the great man and his lovely wife. Steve

Dave. How high is Sierra Nevada ? Not that I'm questioning the 3 hours. Just curious about height of the mountain. I'm assuming it's a very hot and dry area even at altitude. Steve

Had a great day out and about in north Wales. Went up the great orme at Llandudno and went down into the bronze age mine workings. Didn't take the camera down with me as didn't know what to expect. Will be back with camera to share some of the sights.was superb. Then ended up in betswy coed up in Snowdonia. I had forgotten how stunning the place is.Treated myself to a jacket I've been promising myself for ages a berghaus mera peak gortex jacket from Cotswold outdoors. Priced matched it and got myself a £100 knocked off the price. One tired after a 230 mile drive and a good few hours walking but happy person. Steve

The only picture i have managed of a red kite up to now. Its on my list of must get a decent picture. Always looking to get the best picture possible, always hoping its the next one you take. never happy, always room for improvement. Steve

I've seen them in Bishops Castle, Shropshire also Oswestry and nr Chester not seen any Manchester way yet. Steve

Seen a solitary swift this evening. 15th August is the latest I have ever seen one in the ten years that I have been keeping notes. One of my mates has seen them on the 17th August . So there's still a chance, weather permitting. Steve

Kev.Big thanks for posting. so many happy memories. Steve

Tony Clarke. Wrong man. £503. Am surprised at that price thought it was about £250/ £300 tops Steve