Spring turns to summer

Some happenings along the rivers at the moment.

 

Spector

A trip over the border into Suffolk gave us a few Mandarin and something I’ve never seen before. Looking like something spectoristic on the heath … the ghost of Christmas past? No an albino Highland Cow!! How cool is that?

Let me take this opportunity to wish everyone that reads ‘Letter from Norfolk’ and the posts on Facebook a very peaceful Christmas

 

Resplendent orient

In the Brecks last week listening to a charade of Firecrest song. However it wasn’t that that caught our attention. It was the flock of Mandarin ducks looking resplendent in breeding garb that stole the show. What beautiful ducks these are.

Over the top

One of my guests on the Mull Tour last week said these were her favourite ducks. I see what she means; we saw several in Yorkshire on our way north … but I prefer something less brash and subtle than a Mandarin. Bit over the top these Orientals!

Splash of Colour

The winter days are almost at their shortest now. Light is at a premium and the least little bit of cloud starves us of any bright colours. It was during a walk around the lake as the late afternoon was forcing the last little glimmers of brightness for us that we were blown away with a splash of colour.

From beneath the trees hanging over the water swam a Mandarin drake. Originally a species of wildfowl collections Mandarins are now widespread but uncommon wild breeding birds in the UK.

Pushing the cameras capability to its absolute maximum I managed a few photos. It really did add colour to a drab mid winter.