Delta Ged, Volunteer Ranger @ National Trust Lyme Park : Week 46 26/11/2014 - Winter Gray and Damp; Stags and a Mandarin

Photo Blog Week 46 - Wed 26 November 2014

A drizzly day with poor views and a wet steamed up camera when ever it came out. There would be very few photos this week but for two Red Deer encounters from which, as usual, I've hacked many photos out but still probably have too many. Another treat was a Mandarin duck on the Mill Pond.

In the summer I was often continuing though to around 5 o'clock. I now find the Park emptying and the light fading by half past 3 so am finishing earlier which is resulting in a drop in mileage covered.

route: Car Park; The Knott Car Park; The Knott summit; Equestrian field; Crow Wood path; Mill Pond Bridge; Timberyard (lunch)

A winter population of cars under the South Face of The House

Across Drinkwater Meadow to the high part of Park Moor

Red Deer Stags - encounter 1

This really is an excellent time of year to see the Stags with their beautiful antlers. They a wandering in large placid groups in the public areas of The Park as this photo shows.

Red Deer Stags by the drive to The Knott Car Park

I like this one with antlers silhouetted against the background of The Moor

Fungi fest': very delicate white

A lone Buttercup; a brilliant highlight of colour among the autumn leaves

route: Timberyard; Mill Pond Bridge; FourWinds; Green House Fm; West Park Drive; Deer Clough; Paddock Cottage; Drinkwater Meadow; Timberyard; Car Park (end)

Mandarin Duck

Hey! I've got a white front.

Mrs Mallard thinks he's a show off

Working conditions a bit miserable for the walling team up at FourWinds

Red Deer Stags - encounter 2

This group was in the far West area of the Park toward the Middlewood Way and Higher Poynton accessed either from The Knott Car Park or Four Winds track but not visible until over the summits.