Week 66 06/05/2015 - Brief and Late but WIth Promise

Photo Blog Week 66 - Wed 06 May 2015

Miserable weather again meant that the camera had a limited outing.  I'm really looking forward to a nice day when I'm in on patrol on a Wednesday as the Park is coming alive with wild flowers, especially the bluebells which are going to be amazing in a few days time. I have had a couple of weeks of giving prospective new Volunteer Rangers a tour and that involves a lot of chatting and stopping to take random pictures is not conducive to maintaining a flow conversation. I have almost finished the Survey project I've been working on which has also distracted me so, hopefully, normal service will resume shortly.
Apologies for late publishing, I have had a lot of pulls on my time in the past week.

Bluebell Sites

The best bluebell sites are along Westpark drive below Pursefield, Crow Wood (beyond the Playscape) and Elmerhurst Wood. If those names make no sense, pick up an A4 whole park map free at Admissions, Information or in the Cafe.

A grey Kinder Plateau. 

Notice the herd of red deer to right of picture.

Heading up toward The Cage

This tree snapped by the wind clearly shows the power involved

Outside the Park

Parts of the boundary of the Park are virtually inaccessible. Two of these are the southern end of Elmerhurst and the extension of Crow Wood. To cast an eye over these fence sections and check for gates I walked outside the Park through farmland leaving at the north end of Elmerhurst Wood and re-entering over the ladder stile at Four Winds.

Lots of lambs on farmland adjacent to the Park

Mr & Mrs Duck with their first pond. You have to start small.

Looking across the Cheshire Plain to the Welsh Hills in the far distance

Red Deer Stags with this year's antlers developing.

The stags look rather ungainly at this time of year. Most have lost last year's antlers now and some, like these three, already have considerable new growth. Long from the rut, muscle tone and bulk is low and coats are shedding and tatty. These three are quite large and mature but it is difficult to see them as the magnificent beasts they will be again by October.

Highland cattle on the Eastern Moor. 

Big, menacing but very placid. Just pass calmly and chat to them if you feel nervous.

Rain pattering on the surface of Reflection Lake - no reflection.

North Face of the House from near the Stables Building

Knotty Lime trees on the way up from the Car Park to the House.

The shapes comes from coppicing in the past.

Eagle post top by North Face

Cuckoo Spit

Very pretty, unfortunately named

The old larder by the orangery share as a design feature used in Austrian villages. The house or store is on legs with mushrooms at the top preventing climbing animals from gaining access.

Today's track and profile

total: 7.8 miles (12.6 km)  6 hr 45 min

This Time Last Year

Have a look at This Time Last Year  

Week 22 07/05/14 - Bluebells to Velvet