January 2011

Velvet Shank?



Candle Snuff Fungus




Cyclists exiting Oxenden tunnel heading towards Market Harborough

 January still remains to be dormant except for a few offerings of mushrooms and fungus. But it is still a recreational retreat for cyclists, dog walkers and me and Mrs B.

December



Exit Oxenden tunnel





Fieldfare



The recent snow lured me away from warm living room to take some photos. Fieldfare and Redwing are now in great flocks in the scurry from tree to tree. Kestrels also hover above from time to time. A walk through Oxendon tunnel as always is a dark unforgiving place but can produce a nice frame to the outside.

November 25

 The chance of a walk along the Brampton Valley Way before going to pack more boxes before I move house was a just reward. Lucky for me Iam moving closer to my favourite walk which means more time out there. The Blog is now a year old, I contemplated bringing it to an end as I think I just about covered it all but no I will carry on and on.

Keep smiling....

C.B 0 Field fare 1

After a few lovely days in the Cotswold's walking and relaxing in a hot tub. Myself and the gorgeous Mrs B made our merry way back to the homestead. But within a couple of hours I decided to go walkabout in search of the elusive field fare. Nowhere were they to be seen so it was C.B 0. Field fare 1 but I had a chance to take this photo of the A frame with the sunset in the back ground not as dramatic as before but quite pleasing all the same but remember Field fare my time will come.........

What a day

What a day...
Waking up early to try and catch Jack Frost doing his rounds was hard to resist but there was not really alot of it about. I wasn't disappointed with fact Jack was gone as the Field fare was back flocking together in the perfect blue sky. In the bushes Longtail Tits and Bullfinch darted above me not staying in one place long enough for a shot.
Above Oxendon tunnel I met Pat with her dog taking photos of the landscape. Pat also has a blog and a passion for the perfect shot, I look forward to meeting up again and exchanging views.

Richards dog after a swim in the lake

Above Oxenden tunnel

A jogger pounding the way

Trees reflection in a puddle

Bird in a bush

My next stop was to Waterloo leisure tea rooms to meet Richard the owner. I met Richard a week earlier, he asked my views on wildlife trail he wants to introduce to his site. After a cup of coffee Richard showed me around. Ideas for bird hides, feeders, nest box's and guides to what to look for using my photos were gratefully received.

Monday morning feeling



Mushroom on the way



I took the chance booking the day off work a few weeks ago. Thankfully there was clear skies above and abundance of things to see. Blue tits and Long tail tits still proved to be allusive but could be clearly heard in the hedgerows. A buzzard and Kestrel on the wing were a welcome sight also along the way while chatting to ladies out birdwatching. We discussed what we had seen such as a Heron in a nearby field we thought possibly looking for worms as was the Buzzard. In the woods close to Waterloo farm mushrooms protruded from there leafy hideaway around the tree roots. The woods would make a good wildlife nature trail with a bird hide as suggested to the landowner this morning.

It's Sloe time soon again I  look forward to producing more this year. I plan to make a label this time and call it Sloe Walkers Gin.



Sloe Walkers gin coming soon




Mushrooms in the woods




Starting to see the birds better now the leaves are starting to fall





Geese on Waterloo lakes




Oxeye Daisy's still around




mushrooms not sure what kind yet.




Nice to see a Buzzard on the wing





Old beans left in the field.



Saint Helen's church Great Oxendon and Rev John Morton

Recently I come across a map of the Brampton Valley Way courtesy of Northampton Council. The map shows places of interest and this is why I came to Saint Helen's church.

Headstone of Rev John Morton and his Wife Elizabeth.

The Rev John Morton 1670/1 -1726 is buried in this graveyard. rev Morton was an English theologian & naturalist, educated at Cambridge University. He was a clergyman in the Anglican Church, becoming Curate of Great Oxendon then later the Rector of this fine church and parish . He is also author of The Natural History Of Northamptonshire published in 1712. This is his only publication and in 1703 he was elected Fellow of the Royal Society.

Saint Helen's Church Great Oxendon

View of Market Harborough from St Helen's