Grey Day

 

I guess it is the reflection of the snow that gives those lovely grey hues to this winter sky on Strensall Common.

Taking part in  Skywatch Friday

W is for Wintery Landscape

Frosted grass and frozen trees on an ice cold yet sunny morning. Took my gloves off to take this picture and spent 10 minutes getting the feeling back in my fingertips afterwards!
Taking part in ABC Wednesday/

Cold as Ice

The cold mornings and oh so clear skies continued this week. This is Strensall Common again, around an hour after sunrise.

Ice Wars

Any soldiers hoping to train on this part of Strensall Common will need some very good grips on their boots to run over this flooded and frozen field......
Taking part in Mellow Yellow Monday

Walking the Dogs

A typical weekend view of Strensall Common in winter, bare trees, sunshine (if we are lucky) and people out walking their dogs.

Frosty morning

The light as the sun rose on a hard frost on Strensall Common this week was just stunning. I was only able to stop briefly to grab a couple of quick shots with a compact I keep in the car. Must try to go back on a similar morning when I have more time available.
Taking part in Skywatch Friday

Birdbox

This is the back view of the lantern on the gate in yesterdays post. It does not carry a light any more and a each year a pair of Bluetits make their nest in here, using the hole as the entrance to their home. It does not seem to bother them in the least that several times each day their precious nest containing eggs and babies are swung backwards and forwards to allow cars to cross the rail line!

Strensall Crossing

This is a level crossing gate at Strensall Common (around 5 miles ouside York) with the gatekeepers cottage beyond. There are 3 or 4 houses on the far side of the tracks and driving across to them requires the gates to be opened by the keeper who clearly would prefer not to be summoned by a blast on a car horn! This crossing is on the edge of a local nature reserve , come back tomorrow to find out more about the lantern on the gate.................

Memory Lane

This is part of Strensall Common, one of the many areas of common land around the city of York. I used to live near here and this lane was a regular walk on my local birdwatching 'patch'. As I stood here this week and took this photo I could hear in the trees and fields all around me the song or call of Blue Tit, Great Tit, Longtailed Tit, Blackbird, Rook, Robin, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Collared Dove, Treecreeper, Song Thrush and a distant Green Woodpecker. I think spring is just around that corner at the top of this lane.