tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7346432150005806302024-03-12T20:29:55.001-07:00Diaries of a Wildlife and Outdoors loverWildlife photography, wildlife filming, wildlife watching and kayaking in the Cheshire countryside and on the North Wales coast. Encounters, photographs and footage from my trips and walks using my DSLR,Camcorder and Camera traps.Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.comBlogger903125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-60066783850180703302024-02-12T02:38:00.000-08:002024-02-27T12:12:12.789-08:002024 more to come<p> With this being my first blog of 2024 I’ll start with updates on my new garden more trees and bushes in to provide cover for the birds. A new flower bed currently planted with blue bells and daffodils till the spring when we will a nice mix of plants for butterfly’s and insects. I’ve been exploring my local patch even if there’s plenty of water flooding the fields different wildlife is brought in.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6g_ZQNcCrkl9fwRCvUndx49Hrp70v-Q2VGsyZJQ0q2HQktTPAiqVaKQoN9vcqckiyKa1D37tes3tfmSbcURKz-X3ZCocxqiZfNljsqPAMhvirteyaP2uRRghVW1Qx2oC2NNS8yq_x3vaBFX23YnPkAM9eknoTqS5JCWw-BPPM_ycnZJkwd8bO9aCUqyw/s4032/5B635B2E-72C4-4590-85E0-D262075BB1B1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6g_ZQNcCrkl9fwRCvUndx49Hrp70v-Q2VGsyZJQ0q2HQktTPAiqVaKQoN9vcqckiyKa1D37tes3tfmSbcURKz-X3ZCocxqiZfNljsqPAMhvirteyaP2uRRghVW1Qx2oC2NNS8yq_x3vaBFX23YnPkAM9eknoTqS5JCWw-BPPM_ycnZJkwd8bO9aCUqyw/s320/5B635B2E-72C4-4590-85E0-D262075BB1B1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWXkiqv_OBpwum8gfGItCqS8CeDy5abx0kpk1B-QkT4leFkTkdHGMZguZBpqQn5i7TWES-5kZf_kiyCgv1ngb3N5m4LEKTMhLz00l9dlTLtCyzU_uIjhfkSmb1Oy5aekd3HEruOtekBjaIQ11CPTe4ro62fzJofskXzfDHaufEwA4bzVLlNdSUa3TEHs/s4032/8A67AE34-4653-4635-BBF0-54165BEA58CF.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWXkiqv_OBpwum8gfGItCqS8CeDy5abx0kpk1B-QkT4leFkTkdHGMZguZBpqQn5i7TWES-5kZf_kiyCgv1ngb3N5m4LEKTMhLz00l9dlTLtCyzU_uIjhfkSmb1Oy5aekd3HEruOtekBjaIQ11CPTe4ro62fzJofskXzfDHaufEwA4bzVLlNdSUa3TEHs/s320/8A67AE34-4653-4635-BBF0-54165BEA58CF.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I’m currently on the lookout for some local foxes and have a spot in mind and when I get a bike in the summer I can increase my distance and places before I go to work and dreams of 5am sunrises feel so long away watching cubs frolicking in the sun while bird Song fills the air.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLQm6klWj2ADRxl6qLjL4hQmeXBzxHzjl6BzKKGJK01OMETb3Dg_3-fFujRPH0EvNimgW2RyZM4SZmt7CL2sOhd9VEHIhTASBe6ev_JnXxsES7772QLZSOeoz0JNW1Xkb5sBPc1yY6eGjwgcsQmrZfStpFmBebuTtIpdfZ3DhBkG5bRyjG-ilZiHlxaw/s3520/EF17A1E8-3BF4-479F-8D14-160B86A9099E.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLQm6klWj2ADRxl6qLjL4hQmeXBzxHzjl6BzKKGJK01OMETb3Dg_3-fFujRPH0EvNimgW2RyZM4SZmt7CL2sOhd9VEHIhTASBe6ev_JnXxsES7772QLZSOeoz0JNW1Xkb5sBPc1yY6eGjwgcsQmrZfStpFmBebuTtIpdfZ3DhBkG5bRyjG-ilZiHlxaw/s320/EF17A1E8-3BF4-479F-8D14-160B86A9099E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I’ve always dreamed of having the wild life I have today but the pull of wanting more time of not working to enjoy it is so tantalising and always seems out of reach.</p><p>Kind regards</p><p>Mike</p>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-58386406256161747352023-10-16T08:21:00.000-07:002023-10-16T08:21:01.491-07:00Back after moving and a new wildlife garden from scratch...<p style="text-align: center;">After months of moving house and various holidays I now have fully moved to a new area and theres lots on my doorstep and at my new house we are starting from scratch and only have a few visiting birds to the bird table. In time I want to landscape for wildlife and increase the visitors in the future. In the area less than a mile around my house I have seen plenty from Barn Owls to Foxes and maybe even Roe Deer. I have setup a new wild bird feeding station out of the way and the birds visiting are emptying the tables and feeders so fast.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3aQrkm6nvZHQVeOqBeQxmhtb7i0X20XM_AMahPpQ2YdHWSE88xs-SByKIO8IyNqjxVSKlryOtEHlgWSjO4-HzoO32QpxXtg2O7H7PVZet28_BIl9ZK2ICS1ECCpDty8mgaaiTH2FPqpBN8_-sAh4c7ATxoLpkHHtmFZ5sOgLKSoiRvImVEHW_GezcYU/s3449/387578492_285049317683372_7094105395528815324_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2217" data-original-width="3449" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3aQrkm6nvZHQVeOqBeQxmhtb7i0X20XM_AMahPpQ2YdHWSE88xs-SByKIO8IyNqjxVSKlryOtEHlgWSjO4-HzoO32QpxXtg2O7H7PVZet28_BIl9ZK2ICS1ECCpDty8mgaaiTH2FPqpBN8_-sAh4c7ATxoLpkHHtmFZ5sOgLKSoiRvImVEHW_GezcYU/w400-h258/387578492_285049317683372_7094105395528815324_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BzV39KpMhuOCe2AN9m0li0bvxS0TH_QiYrgeeNDNjEb4jq6ysCcYLSrRPoYE89hWcPLnm17qTHU5EfWkyF9VzvzVCPLESqhofTynQClHEPPAtbVoUJzKOhAqtIvT47A7WgJccY1ly2x2nz5WrcBf11_8YHwmpGWD0dPkCu_urJQI-efr9KuDz7lRUn0/s3193/393441775_164599763389742_6078485032832164967_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="3193" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BzV39KpMhuOCe2AN9m0li0bvxS0TH_QiYrgeeNDNjEb4jq6ysCcYLSrRPoYE89hWcPLnm17qTHU5EfWkyF9VzvzVCPLESqhofTynQClHEPPAtbVoUJzKOhAqtIvT47A7WgJccY1ly2x2nz5WrcBf11_8YHwmpGWD0dPkCu_urJQI-efr9KuDz7lRUn0/w400-h251/393441775_164599763389742_6078485032832164967_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAuk9lf9WXdC-zJloRyxHkDcz1UywIaORz5TAsb1B50XjFgvbUsmWFAilCsng7_6K2f2hy1NuAw8udwCgSCS6rvyEtMYGNWkc72Gz3Pjx1-AfNRLVNVLopCiD2hyphenhyphenKMUPUjgGyF6ei6HJu51Bi4cm2d1JAwzOxcg2rRFAG4lD8WLqwdFKImW7TROg5rsk/s3520/393455988_732342215335994_2720261101575574971_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAuk9lf9WXdC-zJloRyxHkDcz1UywIaORz5TAsb1B50XjFgvbUsmWFAilCsng7_6K2f2hy1NuAw8udwCgSCS6rvyEtMYGNWkc72Gz3Pjx1-AfNRLVNVLopCiD2hyphenhyphenKMUPUjgGyF6ei6HJu51Bi4cm2d1JAwzOxcg2rRFAG4lD8WLqwdFKImW7TROg5rsk/w400-h225/393455988_732342215335994_2720261101575574971_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Its only Autumn and I cannot wait till winter and seeing the shadow of thes Peak District behind the birds is a glorious sight at sunrise which will only be enhanced by snow and the grip is one thing which will increase bird and mammal visits for free food.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;">More coming soon</p><p style="text-align: center;">Thank you</p><p style="text-align: center;">Mike<br /></p>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-20700355246511623782022-12-31T08:03:00.004-08:002022-12-31T08:03:56.067-08:00UP IN THE WELSH MOUNTAINS 2022<div style="text-align: center;">One last post to end the year 2022 its been a funny one and connecting with Nature has been wonderful and pleasurable as always especially in troubled times with the current living problems we are facing. One place that I have left my negative energy is up in the hills and mountains. I'll leave 2022 with photograph from my Birthday trip to the Welsh where there was plenty of snow and no people in sight well except 60 soldiers training through the night walking the welsh mountains with all there gear on. It was the perfect gift and the day was lovely.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-yeMY7kEkeCg8WwiKQ5U-mD7vU3DzdpvaaX9Qf10sGj12AFs3LsWYkbMC7s3CxKnRAi2anux5xqxKxENJdJgNeyP5NhJsDKnZST9e8oKgWlEQhWyJ756cYx_cwu7k37rutgZf2xjRrVP_1ZNU1YegolZYtRQIbwx8K88JA020OrpRU74qO5hhgzZ/s4032/IMG_1467.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-yeMY7kEkeCg8WwiKQ5U-mD7vU3DzdpvaaX9Qf10sGj12AFs3LsWYkbMC7s3CxKnRAi2anux5xqxKxENJdJgNeyP5NhJsDKnZST9e8oKgWlEQhWyJ756cYx_cwu7k37rutgZf2xjRrVP_1ZNU1YegolZYtRQIbwx8K88JA020OrpRU74qO5hhgzZ/w640-h480/IMG_1467.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUhAVpdWf2_V6FNSx27YDrmUeB3OS_yFnOl6KaHn8MyMF3PRsojOO5peEsz-IBPkXM8_nUxbUZlhWuYieX6qM6LcPTl7yD-umv4meG6o7ya8Ti0Ty0fSwIOi7_hqIv8hjupyrsWYS25pH1f-82YnrI1l4LWwMyjvVI01StBwby4eocEoeP0208jnS/s3520/IMG_1541.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUhAVpdWf2_V6FNSx27YDrmUeB3OS_yFnOl6KaHn8MyMF3PRsojOO5peEsz-IBPkXM8_nUxbUZlhWuYieX6qM6LcPTl7yD-umv4meG6o7ya8Ti0Ty0fSwIOi7_hqIv8hjupyrsWYS25pH1f-82YnrI1l4LWwMyjvVI01StBwby4eocEoeP0208jnS/w640-h360/IMG_1541.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3FU9LludMVj4R55qEcIroA2jLHn7LCOcGWXkENVwZxBT8hmw05TRIqOdZxlvcfcoMJAq8pOkP0mK_wXV9HGAOMqbROoi6bQjbVaDZcglAdhMTuUo9pSpdvBknkwUxLnpLbpKPJWl-W96c7Pb7NZDWsvdkGx8749tDDz_eYounAjvxJKgKXSktWNz/s9366/IMG_1525.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3814" data-original-width="9366" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3FU9LludMVj4R55qEcIroA2jLHn7LCOcGWXkENVwZxBT8hmw05TRIqOdZxlvcfcoMJAq8pOkP0mK_wXV9HGAOMqbROoi6bQjbVaDZcglAdhMTuUo9pSpdvBknkwUxLnpLbpKPJWl-W96c7Pb7NZDWsvdkGx8749tDDz_eYounAjvxJKgKXSktWNz/w640-h260/IMG_1525.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2neXmjKKqll9zcyoZcHQG2LzBMCDI3-SKGZMwJ2X9C1GeOdPDoZjqNlrWIWn1XFSHTofAK9lqCflmAYonoP5PO0rnXRVsMwKuBZgoLWtqFWZSxJtBw8qLi3SxUekmB1wRqLrkKlHPeSZ8yknu2RINAFvlVI2jLevI3XvfEgOyss_KpJwN2CWRmgq/s4032/IMG_1513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2neXmjKKqll9zcyoZcHQG2LzBMCDI3-SKGZMwJ2X9C1GeOdPDoZjqNlrWIWn1XFSHTofAK9lqCflmAYonoP5PO0rnXRVsMwKuBZgoLWtqFWZSxJtBw8qLi3SxUekmB1wRqLrkKlHPeSZ8yknu2RINAFvlVI2jLevI3XvfEgOyss_KpJwN2CWRmgq/w640-h480/IMG_1513.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOnLkd9ra_MA0ZOX4m4MJs0GbxFnznED4h9qMcNFbveoA6bLjHaf8CcSKQQXcBfc4qt5ZCL5edkx0lssPajfiYuVbtywX1XjSuunvUrbQnXyYfk2ef150KYILS8Ql-n3PYiIOz8ZI_fX1kxRwIoMETpZGGQz_1T5PTlJlfi7y_ikeKfkRszADDYrk/s11882/IMG_1549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3674" data-original-width="11882" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOnLkd9ra_MA0ZOX4m4MJs0GbxFnznED4h9qMcNFbveoA6bLjHaf8CcSKQQXcBfc4qt5ZCL5edkx0lssPajfiYuVbtywX1XjSuunvUrbQnXyYfk2ef150KYILS8Ql-n3PYiIOz8ZI_fX1kxRwIoMETpZGGQz_1T5PTlJlfi7y_ikeKfkRszADDYrk/w640-h198/IMG_1549.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Enjoy and thanks for visiting, hopefully more blogs in 2023.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Mike</span><br /></p>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-46253811378355509802022-10-16T10:02:00.011-07:002022-10-16T10:06:49.286-07:00Walks into the Welsh mountains and a new writer on my blog<div style="text-align: center;">With the last of my holidays I decided to split them up into long weekends and I have given myself a long weekend every month to get on the Welsh coast and go up into the mountains to retune to nature and forget about the boredom of working in a retail environment surrounded by people stuck in there ruts. Sometimes the groundhog day feeling needs to be broken either in the mountains or by the sea.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYLIDWFivVdPv6ZjyLwdBQyNCxc22XanYgZ_d36opgn6KWrwyKQAPGOPpJd5_WFhRa5u836doAJU3WE-nYlNmFStwVYPzVi2c4-Q3lgyQ4ZmnQJrpAj9qUc7qJpAyXmX1HryoKTk6SL7scRpf9Uv52MyPbT1R0Z43CPiLlX-jqO6qea5RPGDxu9Bh/s4032/IMG_0952.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYLIDWFivVdPv6ZjyLwdBQyNCxc22XanYgZ_d36opgn6KWrwyKQAPGOPpJd5_WFhRa5u836doAJU3WE-nYlNmFStwVYPzVi2c4-Q3lgyQ4ZmnQJrpAj9qUc7qJpAyXmX1HryoKTk6SL7scRpf9Uv52MyPbT1R0Z43CPiLlX-jqO6qea5RPGDxu9Bh/w640-h480/IMG_0952.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSd7ET0DDYtT5BQ3i_FGwFr8BGxrCZ37_BzLJ76h4bfqaHDixFBgG5oUfRp0O0Kpc0qh-LB35OcME0xPR0G4xatJo63at6x3Spka7ML_ps4CrUQeUFHHczTeDw2IuHU09jpsmyWHeaCZorBWWE_k2NjPL6uDfM0Yp82TdtQVXBwSubM-zs3WAI6fo6/s16382/IMG_0888.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3628" data-original-width="16382" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSd7ET0DDYtT5BQ3i_FGwFr8BGxrCZ37_BzLJ76h4bfqaHDixFBgG5oUfRp0O0Kpc0qh-LB35OcME0xPR0G4xatJo63at6x3Spka7ML_ps4CrUQeUFHHczTeDw2IuHU09jpsmyWHeaCZorBWWE_k2NjPL6uDfM0Yp82TdtQVXBwSubM-zs3WAI6fo6/w640-h142/IMG_0888.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xiqoohOZ8vsOaLNd2dwR2j90EU-wkXRVln-ZYx1QetFtgEOboIn9yFMg4ZWlS56cDUUUJBFEVFQARpYxXxb5gSCI1Q0yvTCOsieab1f0dkVRfKygUEDEurAh2d4AfK8NXinES7WGCWtSSWhWIpDiZ90DZ05Q2QlML1lS8pt406ri444qmrcSZwk_/s11500/IMG_0970.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3628" data-original-width="11500" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xiqoohOZ8vsOaLNd2dwR2j90EU-wkXRVln-ZYx1QetFtgEOboIn9yFMg4ZWlS56cDUUUJBFEVFQARpYxXxb5gSCI1Q0yvTCOsieab1f0dkVRfKygUEDEurAh2d4AfK8NXinES7WGCWtSSWhWIpDiZ90DZ05Q2QlML1lS8pt406ri444qmrcSZwk_/w640-h202/IMG_0970.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIHC6oXsqJoIRQv6IvaKpytqAbVRErmbW4z75dlrx9qosAneEVK7RkgEMH9_8vq3aMVonnPEKJ79DKxWFtjTCt4JLIn2scMSMTSjBFGHHo6Lqa3Ui2SKqiV-QO5xnyene7HeugNYbEpTiX3hZY5NIP34rWPEMeThcjWggJ14T_FZpwPMIkYIMkocH/s12782/IMG_0982.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3628" data-original-width="12782" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIHC6oXsqJoIRQv6IvaKpytqAbVRErmbW4z75dlrx9qosAneEVK7RkgEMH9_8vq3aMVonnPEKJ79DKxWFtjTCt4JLIn2scMSMTSjBFGHHo6Lqa3Ui2SKqiV-QO5xnyene7HeugNYbEpTiX3hZY5NIP34rWPEMeThcjWggJ14T_FZpwPMIkYIMkocH/w640-h182/IMG_0982.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">The air was warm the sun was shining to explore the mountain was my goal and I found a lovely few wild swimming/camping spots with views, peace and waterfall pools and I think I did just that and seeing Buzzards and choughs on the wing made the short trip worthwhile. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzP6vMXWwGVdLZSvbuA7xGPGK76KV8RnIUe-4rVOxJZqS_91qj3tq81u7phw_z-pifxee2uHxwfbzn6v9xAk36WCGbhX2XeV-zDMD7wgpasy2Byjfg2EQavlNxdTmU9ukpIk82H3nuH3dK05u4rTslaAXfHTt3eg3ehRgS0SISHywtD8GP9BaXmIOi/s3754/IMG_E0926.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="3754" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzP6vMXWwGVdLZSvbuA7xGPGK76KV8RnIUe-4rVOxJZqS_91qj3tq81u7phw_z-pifxee2uHxwfbzn6v9xAk36WCGbhX2XeV-zDMD7wgpasy2Byjfg2EQavlNxdTmU9ukpIk82H3nuH3dK05u4rTslaAXfHTt3eg3ehRgS0SISHywtD8GP9BaXmIOi/w640-h480/IMG_E0926.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGLm1No2daLBrB4XPhrE3PmX_URNE0vGrjgHCrxdyf7L5OXTfrZRLht7kt7TaF-HbdqLz5wF4g34I0G8N3B7uglo4NwyduRR2eaJp2yeHUMge_LBvvqxIm5_9FEosqGtsuiORgbmIInmS7h_pdN8_AHx1jJM_BINCqXtLb_Fu96_d03jfaGGl-xo4/s4032/IMG_1021.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGLm1No2daLBrB4XPhrE3PmX_URNE0vGrjgHCrxdyf7L5OXTfrZRLht7kt7TaF-HbdqLz5wF4g34I0G8N3B7uglo4NwyduRR2eaJp2yeHUMge_LBvvqxIm5_9FEosqGtsuiORgbmIInmS7h_pdN8_AHx1jJM_BINCqXtLb_Fu96_d03jfaGGl-xo4/w640-h480/IMG_1021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3nv4B8HQCDjxjhJg8KWuqMAENm5DHzTIgsHKSRyHR7nAwloJZYDudTnxK0dvQp7npbJGVf2ejk0PQMKUxpQvs1k4LYK0UFK8LLVZZjPA7ycFG5o0XQ9rpQO2Q435Wp754ymq2Vpaa-QCwCtlpwE4QNti_3Ghfrhl0zs1vSyvJa8fBXyHXNUDNOFz/s4032/IMG_1020.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3nv4B8HQCDjxjhJg8KWuqMAENm5DHzTIgsHKSRyHR7nAwloJZYDudTnxK0dvQp7npbJGVf2ejk0PQMKUxpQvs1k4LYK0UFK8LLVZZjPA7ycFG5o0XQ9rpQO2Q435Wp754ymq2Vpaa-QCwCtlpwE4QNti_3Ghfrhl0zs1vSyvJa8fBXyHXNUDNOFz/w640-h480/IMG_1020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjya3r6UiujsFdEV0Z7Uw_Nb58GcnT02ouQtfCek88NJJe62CQZ9b2hhXme5GstHi7GADpIuUTSyZUSqmmzlY0mOmq6Lhuqc7OnYMg_6v4K79iqnJuQQO5fqy2w-T_HB9L3DqK-3QGpvRVUyCpg0wPuc8BGzj1BEPOSa4Mky8zdaHQ9Xtz7x3Thj-Kh/s11376/IMG_1019.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3650" data-original-width="11376" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjya3r6UiujsFdEV0Z7Uw_Nb58GcnT02ouQtfCek88NJJe62CQZ9b2hhXme5GstHi7GADpIuUTSyZUSqmmzlY0mOmq6Lhuqc7OnYMg_6v4K79iqnJuQQO5fqy2w-T_HB9L3DqK-3QGpvRVUyCpg0wPuc8BGzj1BEPOSa4Mky8zdaHQ9Xtz7x3Thj-Kh/w640-h206/IMG_1019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>As I headed into the mountains my younger brother Ryan went by the sea with his camera in hand to see what he could encounter while enjoying the nature of the coastal wild spots. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Below is a post written by him and his adventures of the day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j">SATURDAY 9TH
OCTOBER 2022 <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j">UNEXPECTED WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j">On Saturday 9th Sept
2022 I was in North wales for a few days on the coast,
I had planned to go to aber ogwen spinnies nature area to see if the
Mute swans were still gathering. On my arrival there I was unable to access the beach and was advised by Bird ringers Kate and Joel not to go on the beach as they
were doing a catch of redshank for annual ringing on the Menai Straits as
part of SCAN’s monitoring project they also said on the radio let the
swan guy know there are 4 Whooper swans in the flock. I managed to count
99 Mute swans = (104 swans) I Was like wow ran to the hide and got some
pics of them they then left the flock and flew off towards the great
orme. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Wm9EwQvvJMpUWCqBsTHSbWAkH7MOL-r9hBIrCLoTaTRa6B43WhKszemyyXHAksTtLSqEzWKGuYNe-Mdom4sAf26YLK1SqBDTsCzjgm6EOSoqeYUm51Pj1-sO6vHzXUcYbfw9n2Mqb8j7h7UBR9bh8snd_luMQBxt9rxuvwr6IlqNOxmAa1Vsl_RP/s1334/309457042_437022781872196_1168856179755131736_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1334" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Wm9EwQvvJMpUWCqBsTHSbWAkH7MOL-r9hBIrCLoTaTRa6B43WhKszemyyXHAksTtLSqEzWKGuYNe-Mdom4sAf26YLK1SqBDTsCzjgm6EOSoqeYUm51Pj1-sO6vHzXUcYbfw9n2Mqb8j7h7UBR9bh8snd_luMQBxt9rxuvwr6IlqNOxmAa1Vsl_RP/w640-h362/309457042_437022781872196_1168856179755131736_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyl536LW3xPZDMDdTuo8OqLuZ3ZIeEoZaUZoLVIrz_vTePyzMBdUowvqBZv2jgeIIoUblCKTTXpyc-ZBDW7zV9MhUhwWqIteqJIeuDmSMPJlW3xXD6dRoeSkmrJVnKhSc7ddf2YH8J1VHJQboKeUAx6AMhzvTgW5bFSUV9ufs6qkxOlFGvdV362W2u/s1334/308842528_1278208832990888_4098035090228348457_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1334" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyl536LW3xPZDMDdTuo8OqLuZ3ZIeEoZaUZoLVIrz_vTePyzMBdUowvqBZv2jgeIIoUblCKTTXpyc-ZBDW7zV9MhUhwWqIteqJIeuDmSMPJlW3xXD6dRoeSkmrJVnKhSc7ddf2YH8J1VHJQboKeUAx6AMhzvTgW5bFSUV9ufs6qkxOlFGvdV362W2u/w640-h360/308842528_1278208832990888_4098035090228348457_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVXVxuW4CIfpdQRkqYV_XobWJYRsLy8Xp0q93EDQt0QZZpiAeZTVVFZvSI4Wzb3pYuKZ74WR9TK1JZtgigjPBAu3pg9PnffrsOo4JcMfY31xG_UxZTj6ASOx3UxR6GqTvbKHF8cWmgDiJcdTC2u0UFwm1BnaJNHy3Je5TasNzQZmfs14M2IDLyGww/s1334/308238254_488052879916283_5023551463652978087_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1334" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVXVxuW4CIfpdQRkqYV_XobWJYRsLy8Xp0q93EDQt0QZZpiAeZTVVFZvSI4Wzb3pYuKZ74WR9TK1JZtgigjPBAu3pg9PnffrsOo4JcMfY31xG_UxZTj6ASOx3UxR6GqTvbKHF8cWmgDiJcdTC2u0UFwm1BnaJNHy3Je5TasNzQZmfs14M2IDLyGww/w640-h360/308238254_488052879916283_5023551463652978087_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd23PQHG2DLjsYwFpCqZSn665cA9w10tSuaOl7c_NL1gNw-BPDhQtoqVZor4emFPEUxbk4hxbwxya2cLdaiG1OUID6HErPNn1NR8PPLCa-TaJn2ed4TPOZvHWp0ku2MAm4wy6V6KOYk_YOuq__BjtzFweZ1fYgamCUdKFBmzwe5Wht4YAiaXxMd6R7/s564/3324.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="564" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd23PQHG2DLjsYwFpCqZSn665cA9w10tSuaOl7c_NL1gNw-BPDhQtoqVZor4emFPEUxbk4hxbwxya2cLdaiG1OUID6HErPNn1NR8PPLCa-TaJn2ed4TPOZvHWp0ku2MAm4wy6V6KOYk_YOuq__BjtzFweZ1fYgamCUdKFBmzwe5Wht4YAiaXxMd6R7/w640-h390/3324.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j">They said the cannon net will be going off and banging in around 40 mins
they said you were more than welcome to come over once they are in the
boxes. I decided to wait in anticipation to see what surprises the wooden boxes on the shore held.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j"> </span><img alt="No description available." class="x4ju7c5 xt7dq6l x193iq5w x14atkfc" height="360" src="https://scontent.fbhx2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/311427510_1423125091514916_8368571851792063021_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=ae9488&_nc_ohc=CFtb9rQgJxEAX9hmYaP&_nc_ht=scontent.fbhx2-1.fna&oh=03_AdSRYOXs3KoO3EGn1ClK6lRbjNbTlsbA8CUEsRgRdqrIww&oe=6371E422" width="640" /><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j"> <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j">They found something unexpected and very shocked to come across a LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER are rare Wader which you don't tend to see. They also had over 150+ redshank 1 of
which was an Icelandic redshank) and 5 Curlew sandpipers. It was a fantastic experience to watch. I<span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od"></span> learnt so much about SCAN and BTO wader ringing.
They put silver rings on all the birds before weighing and taking wing and beak length.
It was a Wicked day and one that I will remember for a long time.<br /></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"> Thank you for reading <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Diaries of Cheshire wildlife watcher brothers<br /></p>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-64464128775413331312022-08-28T08:26:00.006-07:002022-08-28T08:28:35.008-07:00A long break - The power of the green and pure freedom<p style="text-align: center;">With the days shortening and the leaves changing color I decided it was time to come back sharing my experinces and encounters I have while enjoying my passions in life. Its been a long few months since writing anything and I have been enjoying lots of welsh breaks and emercing myself into the British summer as its nice to reminice of these times in the winter I'll be sharing 2022 interests from September onwards.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">My Summer garden in early spring</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOPXPmchgxDT3j-xB_UPUywfVjIf6EAOGS0pvDEs6qe0TGSHU_0TdCRheOTV2A4FaJiXOniwz_39lY-7yK20VgVIBtaWkkvorm8sE7_oTKHz9ZM0DC5yE1Fkv6QiXW9nESDVWEYvVKUVTr866xvhubFPjLZnHRRCdz1lPP0ichFWWQ0P30hE3aNOX/s2048/278202138_1453202641801296_3587161020165904583_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOPXPmchgxDT3j-xB_UPUywfVjIf6EAOGS0pvDEs6qe0TGSHU_0TdCRheOTV2A4FaJiXOniwz_39lY-7yK20VgVIBtaWkkvorm8sE7_oTKHz9ZM0DC5yE1Fkv6QiXW9nESDVWEYvVKUVTr866xvhubFPjLZnHRRCdz1lPP0ichFWWQ0P30hE3aNOX/w548-h359/278202138_1453202641801296_3587161020165904583_n.jpg" width="548" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">We had many nests in the garden from Robins to Blackbirds but Blue tits in this box failed</span><br /></div><div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFg9TaXOA7-f4XuyE54V3xXS3U9URoBa5Vi5jr47VtrAdpnNJVWRkcr2WoUPWem1Mzs0sNevu5IYe1Vj6DhdI8AzqRP4_mdMkzxqDkqrfxMfYcoWhtnbB9eEf0pb7c_z5RR0xhk5-VHTHuAdQw3pINPJy-fF7A0YUpNvyazIJ0fyu2KD9iSTYr5N-/s2048/278441425_545475137170004_1607920076551410644_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFg9TaXOA7-f4XuyE54V3xXS3U9URoBa5Vi5jr47VtrAdpnNJVWRkcr2WoUPWem1Mzs0sNevu5IYe1Vj6DhdI8AzqRP4_mdMkzxqDkqrfxMfYcoWhtnbB9eEf0pb7c_z5RR0xhk5-VHTHuAdQw3pINPJy-fF7A0YUpNvyazIJ0fyu2KD9iSTYr5N-/w534-h363/278441425_545475137170004_1607920076551410644_n.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">One of the views from one of my fantastic holidays looking into the mountains of snowdonia</span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49M2fE6iQrohrxYTcwayCVz6doM4iTIM6_LQCgbZz4W937Eq33pnExvkjMD-KLJxmAets0ka2Lg2jrZ2f6gDLtWSG9GApqLdWK7SQvSB8Kwvq_YBUYSC1x8ESdgQ5EIvPjzqQdKJWNMAAPoWkypnDFR9hwiNYbBi8cd4-TI0KsLrho7wbqTdycHY1/s2048/276007244_3302455966642641_6584316133179872398_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49M2fE6iQrohrxYTcwayCVz6doM4iTIM6_LQCgbZz4W937Eq33pnExvkjMD-KLJxmAets0ka2Lg2jrZ2f6gDLtWSG9GApqLdWK7SQvSB8Kwvq_YBUYSC1x8ESdgQ5EIvPjzqQdKJWNMAAPoWkypnDFR9hwiNYbBi8cd4-TI0KsLrho7wbqTdycHY1/w546-h420/276007244_3302455966642641_6584316133179872398_n.jpg" width="546" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">The beautiful sunset from the beach near the cottage</span><br /></div></div><div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjcpCFfskBHgxdN1cpW_-PXdoucqEs8nJS04dRTJWCCCDf5FBcu0SoSpBlo7qi-HEwScNDv6fEliJidnVcn0iJTOM62Tnol1AdVRzSqUKcHkAcy7Wj_uXiPYZEI77eDJEG3Kebrpuu1fuzQWB-Fs_xRUKC2ESud05832CZ2Ac9vbyXNBfc3zsXD6G/s2048/278368816_312285531060987_2326969220865771483_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjcpCFfskBHgxdN1cpW_-PXdoucqEs8nJS04dRTJWCCCDf5FBcu0SoSpBlo7qi-HEwScNDv6fEliJidnVcn0iJTOM62Tnol1AdVRzSqUKcHkAcy7Wj_uXiPYZEI77eDJEG3Kebrpuu1fuzQWB-Fs_xRUKC2ESud05832CZ2Ac9vbyXNBfc3zsXD6G/w561-h398/278368816_312285531060987_2326969220865771483_n.jpg" width="561" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">One of the many tents I used while wild camping on the coast, save the pennys where you can</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VYD4gohdM0zftj5LyGwGRBwST89uIMz1IdCb7bobgcsAX2s29vIH8R6ruIcbYcib-FptLsLNu69OFkG9QcB5O6bvmySaE-ygwhE8k4WREoiO00xD1eHC4Vr-1qw1rpHOk3sUZu8qJ9bfHs6f-O_vaNr_jODF2WXxFuGQ6IpK5UtPugXOP7vZqOzv/s2048/278466136_1115490119018169_5975633493616646850_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VYD4gohdM0zftj5LyGwGRBwST89uIMz1IdCb7bobgcsAX2s29vIH8R6ruIcbYcib-FptLsLNu69OFkG9QcB5O6bvmySaE-ygwhE8k4WREoiO00xD1eHC4Vr-1qw1rpHOk3sUZu8qJ9bfHs6f-O_vaNr_jODF2WXxFuGQ6IpK5UtPugXOP7vZqOzv/w556-h422/278466136_1115490119018169_5975633493616646850_n.jpg" width="556" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;"> Lots of waterways were also explored during the hotter days to keep cool</span><br /></div></div><div><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOK_6xGgros-7F-y8MJE8edJ-YezUwQ4SCy61BU1nfS9h76SCDR-HqiKASNDM_zXpytX1Rv_7IclExSL49ZCEY-UFCkJt5A7WV17IbDBLwz6x9XW4E24czkw1R1E6KwxUJbZ0OWGYNLgx84r7ixEDg_3ia_UtqGuvxRD9Um0rINnrsuTLGpn_zo_j/s4032/281894676_2811145362514898_6405455507190954406_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOK_6xGgros-7F-y8MJE8edJ-YezUwQ4SCy61BU1nfS9h76SCDR-HqiKASNDM_zXpytX1Rv_7IclExSL49ZCEY-UFCkJt5A7WV17IbDBLwz6x9XW4E24czkw1R1E6KwxUJbZ0OWGYNLgx84r7ixEDg_3ia_UtqGuvxRD9Um0rINnrsuTLGpn_zo_j/w547-h395/281894676_2811145362514898_6405455507190954406_n.jpg" width="547" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Ive been privelidged to watch many beautiful sunrises and sunsets</span><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42IWTYIuGOaQCUS8uhp_QVyZCEiGoNVyFk9lt5VJzNHKc5GqKJIhLB-4ggVMaYtQOYP4QH90KZ5j_GM6aW1WUivUGqF4ONmSINU_11WKWmJHWfl4m6vVuepMBojJe6NNFn_rlHOFicYTxwHq1EeY6DuB8uvp5Xj29kLkxW6zcM8LL7X3-jwhpmDjQ/s4032/292753698_1076279536343245_456832664767943369_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42IWTYIuGOaQCUS8uhp_QVyZCEiGoNVyFk9lt5VJzNHKc5GqKJIhLB-4ggVMaYtQOYP4QH90KZ5j_GM6aW1WUivUGqF4ONmSINU_11WKWmJHWfl4m6vVuepMBojJe6NNFn_rlHOFicYTxwHq1EeY6DuB8uvp5Xj29kLkxW6zcM8LL7X3-jwhpmDjQ/w545-h381/292753698_1076279536343245_456832664767943369_n.jpg" width="545" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">The mountains of Wales had some really beautful flower filled meadows to lay down in and enjoy</span><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qdZKQ7HNwzasVBOrfxIqy00c8xY_lhtccA1q1t3jIFzyzRatVkkOILs4NUEc6I6AMs6ZjwsFLSIHvxW7VSpm6Vxpa-x54vNyqbmk92atbh1PzpkHXt8_aobIisTdgCTsrMrGdAgWvSjtVA8GGviOWifp6l5_Obu6y5qj7uXZ81fAKY1IO04FQa_V/s4032/280634653_686006825796619_487888519961429437_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qdZKQ7HNwzasVBOrfxIqy00c8xY_lhtccA1q1t3jIFzyzRatVkkOILs4NUEc6I6AMs6ZjwsFLSIHvxW7VSpm6Vxpa-x54vNyqbmk92atbh1PzpkHXt8_aobIisTdgCTsrMrGdAgWvSjtVA8GGviOWifp6l5_Obu6y5qj7uXZ81fAKY1IO04FQa_V/w544-h391/280634653_686006825796619_487888519961429437_n.jpg" width="544" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">My one my favourite places on the outskirts of Snowdonia</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjKxTW1ljYqXYSG_JY3fW6Sj9CxVzumjn_P9ohUzM8w96Yu40vDdS0gXA8NRqc7PHLQkuC82wnY92tTsrZqB4oGDvwGHYHlOjL6CcgY0St2z2rWJDscpS3DbHKtuhlXgijZLch7vIxRJmvG4RtuSF1eAxZ-6nFcFz7Ap-lDeh24n9pT72gzWe4In9/s4032/285677907_696634248113253_797119516549770014_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="455" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjKxTW1ljYqXYSG_JY3fW6Sj9CxVzumjn_P9ohUzM8w96Yu40vDdS0gXA8NRqc7PHLQkuC82wnY92tTsrZqB4oGDvwGHYHlOjL6CcgY0St2z2rWJDscpS3DbHKtuhlXgijZLch7vIxRJmvG4RtuSF1eAxZ-6nFcFz7Ap-lDeh24n9pT72gzWe4In9/w606-h455/285677907_696634248113253_797119516549770014_n.jpg" width="606" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Its been the longest amount of months I have felt myself since before the events of the past couple of years I now feel mentally and physically stronger with the odd lapse here and there but thats life and as long as I have the outdoor places to be at peace then life will be easier to enjoy and get through the hard times that no matter how much we worry and fear we cannot change.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Kind regards</p><p style="text-align: center;">Mike<br /></p><p></p></div></div>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-24797269016258104822022-02-02T09:35:00.012-08:002022-02-02T11:04:27.242-08:00A slightly longer wild weekend break<div style="text-align: center;">With the last day of my annual leave I decided on a long weekend staying at one of my favourite air bnbs at Conwy on the North Wales coast. I arrived on a Friday night and every time I step off the bus and directly into the cottage I am instantly relaxed and can't wait for a coastal hike with plenty of unexpected wildlife encounters. We decided on a having a long walk at a new place I have never visited on Anglesey.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTJkGlf2YOnYgPAaI0mX3-pI9euunKVAjT8jRV9_11GBi9PxjjPlidrr-Ps8VyQ6BmKCWeyP2R243c0LnXgD7pM4sBhu111WaVg1GL0ppXJaDWfBbVHETMRUr7vqDLPKEG6cAqqgoTxFy3eMkDoE9nnv5NejmJN8Kos5NeHAHgQ6ThgWOESNtB98k_=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="2048" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTJkGlf2YOnYgPAaI0mX3-pI9euunKVAjT8jRV9_11GBi9PxjjPlidrr-Ps8VyQ6BmKCWeyP2R243c0LnXgD7pM4sBhu111WaVg1GL0ppXJaDWfBbVHETMRUr7vqDLPKEG6cAqqgoTxFy3eMkDoE9nnv5NejmJN8Kos5NeHAHgQ6ThgWOESNtB98k_=w640-h478" width="640" /></a></div> The walk was from Beaumeris town to Penmon light house it was about a 5 mile walk along the coast and below I have a few photographs taken on my brothers camera I took some and he took the rest. Either way encounters or not the scenery delivered and the sun came out with blue skys and a calm breeze a winter day turned into a very springy day.<br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia5MJlgZWq8SPsL9vhBEhJ393A0-XX5N0nxLo1b0qwKpP7MmqfhLMRG1I_g9-9vVQ6A1qyEWPlutzyKVQ3KkRK02b5kpiuf2RWWdQqUKCb2kx44T2AMr1xxRlFEHqaJk4s8AMWqiSLImZDyxjjnXZjidrR6BU6OnFy52ZlExFzmC-njrlgeeH0N8Te=s2464" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="2464" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia5MJlgZWq8SPsL9vhBEhJ393A0-XX5N0nxLo1b0qwKpP7MmqfhLMRG1I_g9-9vVQ6A1qyEWPlutzyKVQ3KkRK02b5kpiuf2RWWdQqUKCb2kx44T2AMr1xxRlFEHqaJk4s8AMWqiSLImZDyxjjnXZjidrR6BU6OnFy52ZlExFzmC-njrlgeeH0N8Te=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I also wanted to find an area to wild camp for a few evenings as in the Summer as some nights a special natural event happens on this part of the coast and if I can predict when it happens it would be epic. I think I foundthe perfect spot undisturbed with a view of the beach and sea incase the event happens or doesnt I can see from a distance.<br /></div><div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Bioluminescent Plankton</span></p><div class="title style-scope ytd-video-primary-info-renderer" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="402" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W0pO6R52uYY" width="569" youtube-src-id="W0pO6R52uYY"></iframe></div>After arriving at the stony beach we found a spot to sit with the bank at our back and Puffin island and the light in view it felt very postcardy and must of been photograph a million times in the past, while taking a sneaky toilet break I spotted a very confident little bird in some sea water filled pools on some rocky edges by the sea. It seem undisturbed and seemed to just want to be feed I am always amazed when you find a bird that takes you years to see then you walk upon one like this and you get the best views and photographs you could have got. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh36of2O-YNmyspKFpi1mRcNpKavt28rvVWbn-fCu1G8JHbVbk0VP0VHb2TOaSJEcVMdYFmkBIz4uJXFTdChwcAYUYUjKMBZTpKKhpBfnFoo0uAme9z-q3TVcQv7phAseDY1yfTPU1zoSEs9j21J9upgcXNOt7bvN8fvX_djQOkGeBGCJ_OxLIiFZit=s2464" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="2464" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh36of2O-YNmyspKFpi1mRcNpKavt28rvVWbn-fCu1G8JHbVbk0VP0VHb2TOaSJEcVMdYFmkBIz4uJXFTdChwcAYUYUjKMBZTpKKhpBfnFoo0uAme9z-q3TVcQv7phAseDY1yfTPU1zoSEs9j21J9upgcXNOt7bvN8fvX_djQOkGeBGCJ_OxLIiFZit=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQonCTrQPWzuegcgiz8zWzIuUMsELPNzq7NGCzAGlWVNR8ZksNhZnPn8KGSo06lO4fLGMkHMth3BTOnm0sKZVEqGbmV0kBfIUCihI7spTxQ6R1T25e1FiAVsXY-Fe_eUA1Dm3VXKoSZTNCw6kxHVUfuNIf7d48AYeSHyCc_O8TenshqUa6UZwKUdQf=s2464" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="2464" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQonCTrQPWzuegcgiz8zWzIuUMsELPNzq7NGCzAGlWVNR8ZksNhZnPn8KGSo06lO4fLGMkHMth3BTOnm0sKZVEqGbmV0kBfIUCihI7spTxQ6R1T25e1FiAVsXY-Fe_eUA1Dm3VXKoSZTNCw6kxHVUfuNIf7d48AYeSHyCc_O8TenshqUa6UZwKUdQf=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2fsf9zuquLDVomgX10kFjtOtJEqFwUmm9RNGhNLk5UqDDZed0_0aHpQ7H5MiPSKCchb7XGpMu6eY0Ghw1ryd1lt8iQ0qDdmMiYQO3rrqikkzr5dQcV_VjPBm_b_BzwSykyl-HKtULLfPWhdW9_-d7xrLSE0e66cSg8uA1H9X8e07TRPhc3FaQCxR7=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2fsf9zuquLDVomgX10kFjtOtJEqFwUmm9RNGhNLk5UqDDZed0_0aHpQ7H5MiPSKCchb7XGpMu6eY0Ghw1ryd1lt8iQ0qDdmMiYQO3rrqikkzr5dQcV_VjPBm_b_BzwSykyl-HKtULLfPWhdW9_-d7xrLSE0e66cSg8uA1H9X8e07TRPhc3FaQCxR7=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was so confused by how confiding this Purple Sandpiper was but after looking back at the photographs I noticed that one of its feet were nobbly with no toes so being at a disavantage its lost its fear and must keep feeding even when potential predators are around.<br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh8hdR5smzQqQRD7wUSSyTT0ozsnf5UOIV68e6UaZP-mpaAgtCOKoveGXmfT5rotBa4nqslSJxFkdzVnwUavaS5VUIcIActD0zr3_ubMDLsSJsvno1D5zF2RiTOh-N8maRpWd_9v7pkDmJDmB6_NwUG4ZIQ_fDAFV0tN-KngoHLupw_bfoyhF9l1cz=s895" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="895" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh8hdR5smzQqQRD7wUSSyTT0ozsnf5UOIV68e6UaZP-mpaAgtCOKoveGXmfT5rotBa4nqslSJxFkdzVnwUavaS5VUIcIActD0zr3_ubMDLsSJsvno1D5zF2RiTOh-N8maRpWd_9v7pkDmJDmB6_NwUG4ZIQ_fDAFV0tN-KngoHLupw_bfoyhF9l1cz=w640-h472" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-Pabo_0UCc-y7sJfktZetPuIe5yzpjZJmw_E-lLHNr-vJmgJe3gKTF-jis-LZvTMI3ZCuzUsNbfeXbLZKgZ0YwbQ5jHrVff_3eItE5pf4l1n4uSwJc9RQXAjkd3c0V2pB-mcCcwWgYVNr5mXpBdF4aLc1QZbJoiJiIAN4BPgVjHphGSWZzRxO_7it=s2464" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="2464" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-Pabo_0UCc-y7sJfktZetPuIe5yzpjZJmw_E-lLHNr-vJmgJe3gKTF-jis-LZvTMI3ZCuzUsNbfeXbLZKgZ0YwbQ5jHrVff_3eItE5pf4l1n4uSwJc9RQXAjkd3c0V2pB-mcCcwWgYVNr5mXpBdF4aLc1QZbJoiJiIAN4BPgVjHphGSWZzRxO_7it=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">On the walk back we spotted a flock of Brent Geese with a few Curlew flying then grazing on local fields</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTZ0uPi2jCb-06VhfD5fvQ_1qQZdwdWFFGD6rwryHzXgG87xV6sIviFaopEZkU3gUX_eL5fW6VBwkHcdCD31xXE51f3SSuEYsNTRSBcQ2-KejzSoULyoZesWUxtYBjBzGpTUjAGE-FjRkmqgdH1LQa8WL0bVa_0aqpbDTyovnT4Ohq9VnQ3Z8JD8Dw=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="1280" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTZ0uPi2jCb-06VhfD5fvQ_1qQZdwdWFFGD6rwryHzXgG87xV6sIviFaopEZkU3gUX_eL5fW6VBwkHcdCD31xXE51f3SSuEYsNTRSBcQ2-KejzSoULyoZesWUxtYBjBzGpTUjAGE-FjRkmqgdH1LQa8WL0bVa_0aqpbDTyovnT4Ohq9VnQ3Z8JD8Dw=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMiNljRq-2axpi7lNobXTjtv3ii7aw5NEbAyBEah3KupziL2yL2enOxIJvlDP8NB8lKJa9Q3_wGShnd5JdD9ppKC7B8V5UkpVXfjtPREBbOR0yz06ssvEuYadcIIyorVSNOPYF_qlUv9EjuZIq4fjDM0inpRVSci-EbfF8mrGWiNl8hiwwquo2yOPF=s2464" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="2464" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMiNljRq-2axpi7lNobXTjtv3ii7aw5NEbAyBEah3KupziL2yL2enOxIJvlDP8NB8lKJa9Q3_wGShnd5JdD9ppKC7B8V5UkpVXfjtPREBbOR0yz06ssvEuYadcIIyorVSNOPYF_qlUv9EjuZIq4fjDM0inpRVSci-EbfF8mrGWiNl8hiwwquo2yOPF=w640-h424" width="640" /></a><span style="color: #93c47d;"><br /></span></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Flocks of Knot and Sanderling were in good numbers as the high tide reached its peak</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5u6ZBpRfMFiNYDHorRE9Amn3_LRSt4-3-Vf5fxY6fwb3KjJ2AxZQm1cuQ7ZzvwjOl_A9MyhgtOKZSGmwiNCoUs9dMk6GgqslLa4PPEPV3UTBuazdYAZTxkWnUd-9D9YXwdOddoo3BfZaigGGozPSVg46jIbK8pJW2CwJTK45GQ5bSMqsDMBjTiwq0=s2464" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="2464" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5u6ZBpRfMFiNYDHorRE9Amn3_LRSt4-3-Vf5fxY6fwb3KjJ2AxZQm1cuQ7ZzvwjOl_A9MyhgtOKZSGmwiNCoUs9dMk6GgqslLa4PPEPV3UTBuazdYAZTxkWnUd-9D9YXwdOddoo3BfZaigGGozPSVg46jIbK8pJW2CwJTK45GQ5bSMqsDMBjTiwq0=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhV-4bvzYL1F_J8RMopG1VN4PEZKRGzTrfRBgqigAAcJm2AXRPLYqUHxLhQEImjimS8SWeg9CH2aZcY4f14IKuWpe4uGwU4X9-nymHZtwauynFSb6mhRGkOFNrPYCfzE6ZVQ-kY1I1Xj2LRvZMb9dZiuejN2D_A8s8gNFwJbD7-wLj4YinVPWWdRkHQ=s2464" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="2464" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhV-4bvzYL1F_J8RMopG1VN4PEZKRGzTrfRBgqigAAcJm2AXRPLYqUHxLhQEImjimS8SWeg9CH2aZcY4f14IKuWpe4uGwU4X9-nymHZtwauynFSb6mhRGkOFNrPYCfzE6ZVQ-kY1I1Xj2LRvZMb9dZiuejN2D_A8s8gNFwJbD7-wLj4YinVPWWdRkHQ=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">A Velvet scoter was also a nice surprise pushed in by the wind<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8q3ZQtKndMrGrnsYsVdtAYUZa73lG7W2IxaspUYHTGPQyE9He1oSXxE1DhQmKmMyamgyXgDWIWbSot9TXso1uuly_xr1kul1KGf6xrPm4kgANInA2Y52wumyUxriqFUHynCrDBnQBnwJYbxTUNzyNRAzG4GkpWs6wNy03NxrCoOA_yZcDQhdVBaz5=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8q3ZQtKndMrGrnsYsVdtAYUZa73lG7W2IxaspUYHTGPQyE9He1oSXxE1DhQmKmMyamgyXgDWIWbSot9TXso1uuly_xr1kul1KGf6xrPm4kgANInA2Y52wumyUxriqFUHynCrDBnQBnwJYbxTUNzyNRAzG4GkpWs6wNy03NxrCoOA_yZcDQhdVBaz5=w640-h426" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not to long till I go back as its the place I love and always surprises me epecially </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">when you go to some of the quieter palces not often visited except by only a few.<br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Thanks for reading</span></p><p style="text-align: center;">Mike <br /></p></div>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-31314737033175170452022-01-25T07:17:00.009-08:002022-01-26T07:30:05.568-08:00The ups and downs of Wild-Life...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With every cloudy winters day that passes we get closer to spring and the promise of longer warmer days are not to far away. This winter has felt so long especially with the current bird flu ripping through flocks of wild fowl locally and on the boarders with large amount of swans and geese being put down is just heart breaking.<br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjV0V5gCT3oZ7M3AARCns1rRRjA5jT4C7Hi_Dk6mRDe9KJ7WoWRt-ryoARxErP0o3DibUALBAunFCpSOs3-RQMEIpmXk9V1zVvrpYFkv1CAo2p8B_duveke1iY06oZuL1CkLQdoadlX9d_mR1kJXce0Mb_nIuy6izEMmew4YZ5gYfCVDCs-kec58yq=s3145" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1805" data-original-width="3145" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjV0V5gCT3oZ7M3AARCns1rRRjA5jT4C7Hi_Dk6mRDe9KJ7WoWRt-ryoARxErP0o3DibUALBAunFCpSOs3-RQMEIpmXk9V1zVvrpYFkv1CAo2p8B_duveke1iY06oZuL1CkLQdoadlX9d_mR1kJXce0Mb_nIuy6izEMmew4YZ5gYfCVDCs-kec58yq=w423-h243" width="423" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Once the bird flu dies out the breeding season should replenish numbers but there are many species affected by the current outbreak and some local areas seem so quiet compared to last year.</div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGp_91UclE14iIXYBBfv5h0Qtj9n2e99kHraSTx74BrZ8lw6wrw8iQjtXddXAel-FdswupbmUSskfnJS-OMs7FnsX44J9vKSbNe2dNeOAyskirZ1xAf5AJR7rxTcry3d6m2LDwn6ZW6gjZ4O2QEweAgit6X4KSxgGORMYfMoRgsyyaqcHO79UxN6jx=s4288" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4288" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGp_91UclE14iIXYBBfv5h0Qtj9n2e99kHraSTx74BrZ8lw6wrw8iQjtXddXAel-FdswupbmUSskfnJS-OMs7FnsX44J9vKSbNe2dNeOAyskirZ1xAf5AJR7rxTcry3d6m2LDwn6ZW6gjZ4O2QEweAgit6X4KSxgGORMYfMoRgsyyaqcHO79UxN6jx=w464-h312" width="464" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">One thing I definately want to do is get more active and push my body with lots of walks
in the Peaks and more wild camping with unexpected encounters with
various nature would be wonderful. Below are a few photographs from a
recent walk from the Cat and fiddle pub down to wildboar clough to
shutlingsloe and down through Macclesfield forest. I was hoping for a
Dipper on the streams flowing by the roadside but hopefully maybe in the
spring or on one of my peak wild camps.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3WY2_hzvMjwFaSyE292uSdyksBDjH_SI41eHXSL7smm62r5b46kmp6W-9QPrgoN1tee6RH2WzvCuQpTMyyzAqFf17LecBe4XIwds65W4L8UwX9vzLXa3loC2l6zU3aYZKBxwElUvf9RsGyVC9a0SaAc4_tG0QMEiIK90WrcEZk49LtS5sRO19nelL=s2044" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1332" data-original-width="2044" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3WY2_hzvMjwFaSyE292uSdyksBDjH_SI41eHXSL7smm62r5b46kmp6W-9QPrgoN1tee6RH2WzvCuQpTMyyzAqFf17LecBe4XIwds65W4L8UwX9vzLXa3loC2l6zU3aYZKBxwElUvf9RsGyVC9a0SaAc4_tG0QMEiIK90WrcEZk49LtS5sRO19nelL=w446-h291" width="446" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsds8fhSv-o6cInY9U9Ojx9XuGHPOFWkaHbF4EAc_6wN4_2rrEL9T8j-ir-hXHWqIBBVTaEfSdMthw60fR8VcVYG4Phvhkaozbjg1GQwcujnUGyR0rksW4KDHhFAWQGMVwn3LPYvyBFAtECJk3bQWz84bufCoLDMdFv-rHpwH18WLxIUnOkRORwK-b=s2045" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1343" data-original-width="2045" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsds8fhSv-o6cInY9U9Ojx9XuGHPOFWkaHbF4EAc_6wN4_2rrEL9T8j-ir-hXHWqIBBVTaEfSdMthw60fR8VcVYG4Phvhkaozbjg1GQwcujnUGyR0rksW4KDHhFAWQGMVwn3LPYvyBFAtECJk3bQWz84bufCoLDMdFv-rHpwH18WLxIUnOkRORwK-b=w446-h293" width="446" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A warm cup of tea brewed at the Matterhorn of the Cheshire plains on my new gas stove<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiM4fcNfqpcnX60p9LgKEaeRYGrEkcVzUKaeYil9hgkC5NxTfWoxV7PDPF8BKkDglc5jOngNyZaPsCkKpfE6tiNoQoGY4Zfl5ebGoSIYThkZQbDLh16Lzwu7Moke3_Pw-RdpCpAYrkEf4uh4LYxT2x8_Am5hYkia7-m6rFyS2dSxvRWAVQs9Wxt4_Zm=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="2048" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiM4fcNfqpcnX60p9LgKEaeRYGrEkcVzUKaeYil9hgkC5NxTfWoxV7PDPF8BKkDglc5jOngNyZaPsCkKpfE6tiNoQoGY4Zfl5ebGoSIYThkZQbDLh16Lzwu7Moke3_Pw-RdpCpAYrkEf4uh4LYxT2x8_Am5hYkia7-m6rFyS2dSxvRWAVQs9Wxt4_Zm=w415-h289" width="415" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I received new kit as a Christmas presant to add to my wild camping kit included a green beach tent and I thought it was perfect for summer days lazying on the river or warm nights camping on the lake would work with it.<br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4DSw1a1AAwNVPmFtiyUJp7kCsvRV9DSByb1EJI_7nDcv7SA8aWe_HBzrpmjLtJCkWyBGx-MbJ8HwMfz9PVJwL5qzzNYLl1A8NCKqH8EloZZ8udBZUjIiI2V-egcgwHv8ulcAro8Dolcvvv9Q8Mp6ao0iXoXojBYjqGjGJWSHhMbUivPsMHpEiZIIx=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4DSw1a1AAwNVPmFtiyUJp7kCsvRV9DSByb1EJI_7nDcv7SA8aWe_HBzrpmjLtJCkWyBGx-MbJ8HwMfz9PVJwL5qzzNYLl1A8NCKqH8EloZZ8udBZUjIiI2V-egcgwHv8ulcAro8Dolcvvv9Q8Mp6ao0iXoXojBYjqGjGJWSHhMbUivPsMHpEiZIIx=w413-h273" width="413" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just a quick mention as its the big garden bird watch coming up soon www.wirefence.co.uk is giving away 100% of there profits on Sunday 30th of January so if your an organization supporting the welfare of birds and you are in need of additional funds or more information then visit the link below.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.wirefence.co.uk/big-garden-birdwatch-donation/">https://www.wirefence.co.uk/big-garden-birdwatch-donation/</a> to see more information on the big garden bird watch here <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk">www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you for visiting</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mike<br /></div></div></div>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-67036997678470653862021-12-12T06:03:00.001-08:002021-12-12T06:08:41.680-08:00A short Christmas break<p style="text-align: center;">Not really been into posting lately as I have been reflecting on the past year and ready to get on with the coming Spring but Last week I spent a few days at a cottage above Amlwch Harbour and with storms coming in I was glad to have booked a place with a view as I wanted a couple of walks as the coastal path was right outside the door. Enjoying a cup of tea and a fish supper with this wonderful view was a great way to enjoy a few days before the annoying start of a few weeks before 2021 ends and 2022 begin so life can resume ready for the spring.<span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">View from the living room into the kitchen and the rocky outcrops asbove the harbour<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVyaZfxZf2W5fqLwUXDPcN1wrwPphgpLmap7G0fgp_0ziQI5nK9YzV4VGOhn_hhHpZPKOLavxrLbH7pxiRkjvWwIS_8SSXrQ0oL5-yo8SEE5TqjLY299v_DNQrmUOQdS9PP6N4q6vC72HUzoOtf2A1rzZdB8VspA1VrOw1zPFbGi9Gd65XO2H8RUp2=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVyaZfxZf2W5fqLwUXDPcN1wrwPphgpLmap7G0fgp_0ziQI5nK9YzV4VGOhn_hhHpZPKOLavxrLbH7pxiRkjvWwIS_8SSXrQ0oL5-yo8SEE5TqjLY299v_DNQrmUOQdS9PP6N4q6vC72HUzoOtf2A1rzZdB8VspA1VrOw1zPFbGi9Gd65XO2H8RUp2=w478-h359" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Harbour view</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAYAWXPXhhnI76GJygyB1oLbnrjjn9i_CIDowAdZSZCctxPwG7GO9bfLWWTdXUfpolJBxcQ9bA0BQz0-53WPAqcgL5lQ8A4jUKPIV7qytuzEjLUoQZffOSnxxfpZR9wYzLh_W5zRn1dX7X1sdAXgIhs-4XrnTwVfzCgckrd6eNGvrDV5VKIxY7CgST=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAYAWXPXhhnI76GJygyB1oLbnrjjn9i_CIDowAdZSZCctxPwG7GO9bfLWWTdXUfpolJBxcQ9bA0BQz0-53WPAqcgL5lQ8A4jUKPIV7qytuzEjLUoQZffOSnxxfpZR9wYzLh_W5zRn1dX7X1sdAXgIhs-4XrnTwVfzCgckrd6eNGvrDV5VKIxY7CgST=w477-h354" width="477" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">A snowy garden before I left home for my break</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhITpQo_U4h9DCeYvhl2h85yrDQ_BR7ghcfTWL8rWu-t5KTUc4cHrCs5Q2XHfU1Xw1lAcd9ctF2I6kHSmNSZ3txz5tscfLvbhkscsE0ErqVQ4fxp3j-RzQZpPdBVHvV2uIn-U0XvOT37GNwipiKUuaj5uYRqYxon33oi2jBqlq4DmjJfkl6H2ozzkGM=s1536" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1536" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhITpQo_U4h9DCeYvhl2h85yrDQ_BR7ghcfTWL8rWu-t5KTUc4cHrCs5Q2XHfU1Xw1lAcd9ctF2I6kHSmNSZ3txz5tscfLvbhkscsE0ErqVQ4fxp3j-RzQZpPdBVHvV2uIn-U0XvOT37GNwipiKUuaj5uYRqYxon33oi2jBqlq4DmjJfkl6H2ozzkGM=w480-h358" width="480" /></a></div> Thanks for reading</div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">Mike<br /></p>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-37264386143587938392021-10-10T06:15:00.006-07:002021-10-12T08:06:10.182-07:00A simple but wonderful walk in the Peak district<p style="text-align: center;">With Autumn upon us and the next stage of Nature taking on readying themselves for the blast of Winters cold with Jays and Squirrels burying nuts and myself buying new winter gear to keep me warm and comfy while out hiking and enjoying being out on the water. Yesterday with the weather looking good we decided on heading up into the Peak district to do our regular 3 hour walk. We got the bus from the Cat and fiddle pub down to Macclesfield taking rests to enjoy the silence and breath in the fresh air and the views but as we arrived the mist rolled in bringing the true beauty of the area to life. The Red Grouse were on form with flighty passovers and lots of calling going on, I can't explain how desolate and wonderful the small area near Shining tor can be especially in a white where it feels like your in Alaska with all the pine trees and snow upto your waist.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMXO6MCEg3UDOZkyIS3WWxpIkxO2SG0LYKeVVBev0fXptxgCI5E6QaIDcreJREhYRRNG3TVePmBVi1-JkzwXgbdjVQKwaLWnPe6-Zps_1ieVlBa_27e9H5qhFwaHDY7-KZZO_ymV_5Zw/s2048/FBSPKIwXsAUciGQ.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMXO6MCEg3UDOZkyIS3WWxpIkxO2SG0LYKeVVBev0fXptxgCI5E6QaIDcreJREhYRRNG3TVePmBVi1-JkzwXgbdjVQKwaLWnPe6-Zps_1ieVlBa_27e9H5qhFwaHDY7-KZZO_ymV_5Zw/w447-h323/FBSPKIwXsAUciGQ.jpg" width="447" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">After a little breather and some tasty pork pies that seemed to taste even nicer in the fresh cool air of the Peaks, just before we headed down hill we spotted a large flock of waders disturbed from the mist by the noisy Red Grouse, there must have been over 20 Golden Plover and to see my first in the Peaks was equally perfect as they disapeered in and out of the mist.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjis-Pq2C1LEgSdTUcoEOXKGzBN0acNORI2SGZj-k3Un94RxyEmn7CHae6yjWsqJFDPbsoqrpeEwzqpWm788mz3Q9mBeKethk6lclYQXNC3A-mlmVtwHChNhp-oDfKeOSzzwaeVvZzBTf4/s1837/FBSPKJ5X0AMemvw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1837" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjis-Pq2C1LEgSdTUcoEOXKGzBN0acNORI2SGZj-k3Un94RxyEmn7CHae6yjWsqJFDPbsoqrpeEwzqpWm788mz3Q9mBeKethk6lclYQXNC3A-mlmVtwHChNhp-oDfKeOSzzwaeVvZzBTf4/w451-h282/FBSPKJ5X0AMemvw.jpg" width="451" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFC8xznA-iehfgzbleIKwqgM00jmOM1F21JNWCPX8XTb5TfLgVmZ7crbBevV1tq8WhUfHbkRoRftpbWVTR3AHZqLtwOnTU5V_h5jYRZu4hsMZBTlRE-kLM4LDvXN_YYx2tH3e8iKAmB0/s1751/FBSPJ-1XMAImR55.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1171" data-original-width="1751" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFC8xznA-iehfgzbleIKwqgM00jmOM1F21JNWCPX8XTb5TfLgVmZ7crbBevV1tq8WhUfHbkRoRftpbWVTR3AHZqLtwOnTU5V_h5jYRZu4hsMZBTlRE-kLM4LDvXN_YYx2tH3e8iKAmB0/w445-h297/FBSPJ-1XMAImR55.jpg" width="445" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I could not be sure but a blacker grouse shaped bird flew past me but could not be sure as it was so fast and as they blend in so well to the thick vegetation was it a Black Grouse or not I can't be 100% positive but would be great if it was after a bit of internet searches it be possible taht there around in small numbers. The one thing that was wonderful to see was a male Sparrow Hawk perched on a farmers fence post looking down onto Lamaload reservoir and for me one of the best views in the area. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwUxOGbEgQgDbi882QbC2HdVOOlQ82BwnE_-VlHv9a75Nfjilx6XdttbHQw3__7PeGn3vd8KrG4KqGV-FXFQw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p style="text-align: center;"> Thanks for visiting</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Mike</p>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-42884805783160798372021-10-05T11:18:00.004-07:002021-10-05T11:21:00.423-07:00Book review -- The secret life of an Arable farm --<p style="text-align: center;"> This week I got sent a new book to review and it focuses on the wildlife that can be found in and around an Arable field showing the possible conservation and positives from this type of farming. An arable field is land that has been tilled and ploughed regularly, generally under a system of crop rotation. I had an 3 day weekend coming up and as the weather was wet and stormy plus I decided to cancel my wild camping plans in Wales it was the perfect time to relax and read this wonderful book written by Sophie McCallum.<span class="ILfuVd"><span class="hgKElc"></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfw_aTctjlZ7tuOZpXJZtXNiwnXrz3DVgQjvMrFX5hVkHG6TaIxl41d6hJCPYgpkDpWAnFY4CGNNMBemkqtvnMmu20qrOekdAjELDVWkFq098BKROefOIgbyBJUQjXd6oHOy84dcu2ad4/s2048/FAuBmtvXsAktZ5C.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="2048" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfw_aTctjlZ7tuOZpXJZtXNiwnXrz3DVgQjvMrFX5hVkHG6TaIxl41d6hJCPYgpkDpWAnFY4CGNNMBemkqtvnMmu20qrOekdAjELDVWkFq098BKROefOIgbyBJUQjXd6oHOy84dcu2ad4/w549-h323/FAuBmtvXsAktZ5C.jpg" width="549" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">The Field looks at the eco-system of an arable field, complete with
photographs from crops, trees, hedgerows and wildflowers, to the wide
variety of animals, farmland birds, insects, butterflies and moths that
they support; and how they depend on each other; and are all vital for
the wonderful environment we need to thrive and enjoy.<br /><br />
The book focuses on the relationship between these key species, how they
work together and interact with their environment in order to survive.
It is about the eco-system and how they all link together, and how every
species, no matter how seemingly insignificant, plays a vital part in
the food-chain and ultimate survival of all species. For every species
referred there is a photograph detailing it, with over 120 colour images
throughout the book.<br /><br />
The animals and birds that live within this habitat are reported on and
the insects; including detailed analysis of bumblebees, honeybees and
ants, as well as more hidden species such as the earthworm, are
described in their role in life, with in-depth facts and photos.
Wildlife, such as badgers, muntjacs, hedgehogs and fallow deer and their
habits are detailed, along with birds that survive on farmland and are
now sadly becoming rare. Included in this range are corn buntings,
skylarks, goldfinches, kestrels, yellow wagtails and jackdaws, although
there are many more. The main aim of this book is to give a detailed description of the
private life of these creatures and show how they depend upon and work
together in harmony, creating the environment that we are so adeptly
eradicating. The Government have set out a package of reforms to deliver
300,000 new homes a year by the mid-2020s.<br /><br />
Our havens of nature are being destroyed and this book will examine,
with photographs and text, what really makes the field a special place,
both for wildlife and humans alike.</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSesbyzyrJjuxwODohNa7mDkDkiKLTGuN-zhtTRWRNuUELEoldeX2qnKumcKN1pCYSyd21T_0mkJMQkTAxgzF2rJQ_fWu1Eqo_-7kGM0Ne8GInrAiLsdTlX9qaatL_awoyb78zw-yAOtI/s2048/GOPR1086.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSesbyzyrJjuxwODohNa7mDkDkiKLTGuN-zhtTRWRNuUELEoldeX2qnKumcKN1pCYSyd21T_0mkJMQkTAxgzF2rJQ_fWu1Eqo_-7kGM0Ne8GInrAiLsdTlX9qaatL_awoyb78zw-yAOtI/w544-h331/GOPR1086.JPG" width="544" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I really enjoyed learning about how special this type of farming can benefit the UK and its wildlife through creating a safe oasis for many different creatures. The book is a great companion to have when walking especially whenusing some of our public walking paths that passes through arable farmland, I am sure I'll find myself sitting on a style in the sun at the edge of some really beautiful countryside with my copy of The secret life of an Arable farmland in hand looking at what creatures I may see and hear.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Secret-Life-of-an-Arable-Field-Hardback/p/19262" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">You can buy this book here </span></a><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> Thanks for reading</p><p style="text-align: center;">Mike<br /></p>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-90894730969262723672021-09-26T08:18:00.010-07:002021-10-04T07:45:58.698-07:00Book review----The Science of Hope----by Dr. Wiebke Finkler and Scott Davis<div style="padding-right: 46px; text-align: center;"><span>With the current </span><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17">state</span><span> </span><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17">of </span><span>things in the world</span><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17">,</span><span> from the Pandemic to extreme weather </span><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17">conditions and it</span><span> </span><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17">makes</span><span> </span><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17">it</span><span> </span><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17">difficult for the world to</span><span> </span><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17">remain</span><span> </span><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17">unaffected</span><span> </span><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17">by them </span><span>and the effect on our </span><span>mental health and everyday lifes</span><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17">. I think the real effect is felt by our planet is the habitats and creatures that depend on the perfect temperatures, certain foods or just being left undisturbed in the far courners of the world where now humanty in encroching even further into these once protected wildlife forests and our last surviving edens. It may seem hopeless for our planets wildlife as even I was once an optimist but after seeing so much destruction even on my local patch from Nature abundant wasteland being turned into unneeded warehouse space where there are already empty unused warehouses. I find its always Nature that pays the price to see areas normally packed with wild flowers, Butterflys and grass hoppers where many species fed and kept hidden safe from man now under concrete and car parks. </span><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17">I feel like the green spaces we all need and our world needs are decreasing at a rapid rate</span><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17"><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17"> most days </span> I ask myself if I am still hopeful for the future of the creatures and habitats I love</span><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17"> so much and my answer back is regretfully no. </span></div><div style="padding-right: 46px; text-align: center;"><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17"> </span><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTrbdUeegltRZOI7iANNjXz6i9EiMujded0Gh5s7Qq6j4ixdpRGq88M79UVxR8_JjI0UVa9EaFwe2MIssuqkN5H1u9J3MworDGXnA0m8lvN8yn4FuTaXYbSCDdbZwU48O8C3IrKuHYXs/s1202/hfg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="1202" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTrbdUeegltRZOI7iANNjXz6i9EiMujded0Gh5s7Qq6j4ixdpRGq88M79UVxR8_JjI0UVa9EaFwe2MIssuqkN5H1u9J3MworDGXnA0m8lvN8yn4FuTaXYbSCDdbZwU48O8C3IrKuHYXs/w442-h224/hfg.jpg" width="442" /></a></span></div><div style="padding-right: 46px; text-align: center;"><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17">Seeing the destruction and bleak stories on social media have me really doubting change so after being asked to review a book about the Science of Hope exploring some of some of our worlds most threatened wildlife and the ways in which people are dedicating there lives to help protect and increase populations of many species from retsoring habitats to breeding programs and most important of all educating local people that have the power to change there part of the world for the good of the planet.</span></div><div style="padding-right: 46px; text-align: center;"><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9f0O9T9rK9cRTwFfsVp1t8zE-Zej39692Kc52pbC5TE00nSiHEo7qlTAO8S57bBcrEgEqmYAndFxRyTZtT4cRWef4ExvJ191z-fBL_-WqeBmZUkqLL-yPrufPLWnsj5mB4BXvBYP7LY/s960/243050971_346650820581993_6506572059174577362_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="960" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9f0O9T9rK9cRTwFfsVp1t8zE-Zej39692Kc52pbC5TE00nSiHEo7qlTAO8S57bBcrEgEqmYAndFxRyTZtT4cRWef4ExvJ191z-fBL_-WqeBmZUkqLL-yPrufPLWnsj5mB4BXvBYP7LY/w531-h351/243050971_346650820581993_6506572059174577362_n.jpg" width="531" /></a></div></span></div><div style="padding-right: 46px; text-align: center;"><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17">After reading </span><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17">The Science of Hope by </span><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17"><span class="more-details-value">Dr. Wiebke Finkler and Scott Davis </span></span><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17">I found it had restored some hope for the future of some of our planets most amazing creatures in really unique beautiful locations that some us will ever get to see but hopefully thanks to the effort of hard working caring locals and conservationists from around the world it may be easier through ecotourism. The subject is an interesting topic </span><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17"><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17">discussed </span>in the book and is a great way to help protect and promote these creatures around the world plus make an income and allow people to see, care and connect with the Nature that could be lost within a few years if we don't try. I took away from the book that its 50/50 50% Science and 50% hope as without hope and hard work then the results will be for nothing and will fail so maybe its more hope and a little bit of science that will be the difference between losing the Graceful Whales that keep our seas alive and healthy or our closest living relative the apes that have lost so much of there jungle homes.</span></div><div style="padding-right: 46px; text-align: center;"><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz50gvbQnAofHkODPfvejiQFWO3oktw16kdmj3fsmaZpLoqNoa10j3M1CYSb-eUD3FG4RnpO-gUUOsanEDVgSXLwCHhewjLLKEQl8udS0o2FZd0zCUnGdTkAIw8c1imcMdgf4g7wG3bfQ/s1574/tyjhg.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="1574" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz50gvbQnAofHkODPfvejiQFWO3oktw16kdmj3fsmaZpLoqNoa10j3M1CYSb-eUD3FG4RnpO-gUUOsanEDVgSXLwCHhewjLLKEQl8udS0o2FZd0zCUnGdTkAIw8c1imcMdgf4g7wG3bfQ/w575-h289/tyjhg.JPG" width="575" /></a></div></span></div><div style="padding-right: 46px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://exislepublishing.com/product/the-science-of-hope/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17"><span>Click here to purchase The Science of Hope</span></span></span></a></div><div style="padding-right: 46px; text-align: center;"><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17">After reading this wonderful book I ask myself again can we make a difference enough to protect and conserve our worlds creatures but my answer is still up in the air. One thing I am sure of is that I am more hopeful after reading The Science of Hope and seeing the stunning Nature photography inspires and blended with the conservation efforts mentioned shows that there is a chance and if we give the world and its creatures that then there will always be a tiny shining light in the dark we call hope backed up with the power of Science.<br /></span></div><div style="padding-right: 46px; text-align: center;"><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17"> </span></div><div style="padding-right: 46px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17"><span class="more-details-value">Thanks for reading</span></span></span></div><div style="padding-right: 46px; text-align: center;"><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17"><span class="more-details-value"><br /></span></span></div><div style="padding-right: 46px; text-align: center;"><span class="landing-page-changedText-0-2-17"><span class="more-details-value">Mike<br /></span></span></div>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-77741502899166374712021-09-22T11:07:00.003-07:002021-09-26T06:52:25.382-07:00Strengthening my connection with Nature through water<p style="text-align: center;">In my last blog I was having trouble with my new raft camping/floating hide idea and thanks to some old bits of heavy metal I have made some achors so I can lower into the water to keep each side of my raft into the mud so I wont float off in the night and now that I have a 2 door tent that I can access the front, back and sides of the tent for emergencys and mooring up in wild spots. With my raft ready to go for wild camps I have decided to use more over the winter more as theres more darkness, clearer skys and the countryside comes more alive under a winter sky on land and in water.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Hearing the tick tick of the Robin as the light falls and rises especially as the temperature falls </span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JJBVCATMftRznYfRwFD-F7DrQQULmvQKJhRqrenNu41tdKf2l3dNU-kGWYNnIucEdBDXpBAtxtbMrrT0jCZPtwL2T8xwamO7s_375NcSvo98lZmIeUHQsWlNrcqTNOFyOippcmlvS74/s2048/CSC_0350.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="2048" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JJBVCATMftRznYfRwFD-F7DrQQULmvQKJhRqrenNu41tdKf2l3dNU-kGWYNnIucEdBDXpBAtxtbMrrT0jCZPtwL2T8xwamO7s_375NcSvo98lZmIeUHQsWlNrcqTNOFyOippcmlvS74/w404-h269/CSC_0350.JPG" width="404" /></a></div>My only issue was that I may have to insulate abit more with a thicker sleeping bag and tent carpet to as the problem with camping on water is your losing heat from above as well as below but I'll get more into that another time. One of the things I decided I wanted to do more of was spend more time in water wild swimming or wild dipping if its especially cold and this year I have just done that from rivers, lakes and the sea.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1uBIBNMjy4bRUvkdhyphenhyphenbTogkQZaAAS2cM4swoU5HW9rUgY6AJLyXNnUO-CUi1Lrvfh4Gez2AmAnGZ5TJVMbgqYPnVxVZqKBt3GjFU6Rv_vox3Q8_DICK9uQ3Ev2Xk31eF2w9SHtldFFGQ/s1647/45665.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="1647" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1uBIBNMjy4bRUvkdhyphenhyphenbTogkQZaAAS2cM4swoU5HW9rUgY6AJLyXNnUO-CUi1Lrvfh4Gez2AmAnGZ5TJVMbgqYPnVxVZqKBt3GjFU6Rv_vox3Q8_DICK9uQ3Ev2Xk31eF2w9SHtldFFGQ/w491-h275/45665.JPG" width="491" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was so refreshing and life affirming to see Swans swimming by while in the water under the water through huge shoals of sand eels in clear blue seas that you would not believe was in the UK.<br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Having an hour and a flask of tea in a quiet bay on the Menai straits</span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQr_57HNkVutykIiNlLlixlPyLAzc8l610CCW4BUEH9GJGdavaEEpiJt7GMB4nozJoVm5zppMf3LnNYMVYbWQLwJRn9-y98u-BiHTDhI2vvZZdmq5udnto1cFYS73SAI_6-GCM0jl2u4M/s848/menaime.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="848" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQr_57HNkVutykIiNlLlixlPyLAzc8l610CCW4BUEH9GJGdavaEEpiJt7GMB4nozJoVm5zppMf3LnNYMVYbWQLwJRn9-y98u-BiHTDhI2vvZZdmq5udnto1cFYS73SAI_6-GCM0jl2u4M/w570-h321/menaime.PNG" width="570" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh024uFoJ9s8wUE1F6wt0YBlXamkj1cQ61w-kCQQPXSVTRgGJEI7lHqAPgijub0-gwigdr2Qsql9EOQiCxP5F-0nq63YY8ZrVcLZuMH7ilzIIcDm1oHZF0MYD3untP2iDzK54GzrS6Meno/s1673/FDFDS.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1673" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh024uFoJ9s8wUE1F6wt0YBlXamkj1cQ61w-kCQQPXSVTRgGJEI7lHqAPgijub0-gwigdr2Qsql9EOQiCxP5F-0nq63YY8ZrVcLZuMH7ilzIIcDm1oHZF0MYD3untP2iDzK54GzrS6Meno/w569-h292/FDFDS.JPG" width="569" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Paddle boarding the river always ended with a dip in more secluded locations to cool down my body after being out on some really hot days watching large Barbel speeding about on the gravel river bed.<br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26u2BxwO8AilA_3HRobpmEYXI-37Z97Nzgrk33SrE6JZ9hWoVPmPD0_kHXKcg-oW_BzLuBee86KNEcfOil44na2_eXujJOtL0RONsk0LoHCJ8TWZHktnZ9LJI3iv8sSwk5BCIEZ7RUPg/s1754/ddf.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1754" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26u2BxwO8AilA_3HRobpmEYXI-37Z97Nzgrk33SrE6JZ9hWoVPmPD0_kHXKcg-oW_BzLuBee86KNEcfOil44na2_eXujJOtL0RONsk0LoHCJ8TWZHktnZ9LJI3iv8sSwk5BCIEZ7RUPg/w487-h253/ddf.JPG" width="487" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qhiRycHlhjUJ1AtK1UH4NBNsKIRMRDDx1MJ3Dsi_4xNkpvgiMdgxB3XjxaRqirhNbK8ZG0zYHoVC3PJCyE7j4swjbhMQjMxhXUDlZXII_HmGa145s2nN6AFpyM5rPOwWbX0p9axfXfs/s934/fdfdfds.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="934" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qhiRycHlhjUJ1AtK1UH4NBNsKIRMRDDx1MJ3Dsi_4xNkpvgiMdgxB3XjxaRqirhNbK8ZG0zYHoVC3PJCyE7j4swjbhMQjMxhXUDlZXII_HmGa145s2nN6AFpyM5rPOwWbX0p9axfXfs/w491-h275/fdfdfds.JPG" width="491" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Under the water the Minnows seem to be in good number meaning healthy river providing food for the abundant Kingfishers that have done well from low rainfall meaning barely any floods in the breeding season. One thing I did notice was the Minnows seem to have developed the same appetite as <span class="oahvym-0 kijmGk">the skin-nibbling, toothless carp that to be used in </span><span class="oahvym-0 kijmGk"><span class="oahvym-0 kijmGk">fish based pedicures which got banned to due health issues.</span> </span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjO6H6bAhjmAd77Zbxzug-sa9pLjfhQUyNoFwPOc5_ewzm9zQ5DLqs2y98BZqpmgevnBoSpG8YcUSwXOfNl0ysU8mRRxsTKZqVyicAZGHC9wsxKZVbvz62HcJkxwphezgT6lixzkHhag/s1678/Capture.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1678" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjO6H6bAhjmAd77Zbxzug-sa9pLjfhQUyNoFwPOc5_ewzm9zQ5DLqs2y98BZqpmgevnBoSpG8YcUSwXOfNl0ysU8mRRxsTKZqVyicAZGHC9wsxKZVbvz62HcJkxwphezgT6lixzkHhag/w570-h296/Capture.JPG" width="570" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have just received a couple of books to read & review which I'll post soon and as I have a long weekend off every month till February 2022 will mean I can get out and reconnect with the thing I love for the next 4 months so I'll be posting more when I get the chance to. The one thing that never changes for me is the feeling of being outdoors wearing my comfy outdoors clothing heading off camping with everything I need to survive in one back pack by the coast.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for reading</div><p style="text-align: center;">Mike</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Stay wild and be free</span></p>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-50465193983102574132021-08-29T07:38:00.003-07:002021-09-26T06:40:35.173-07:00Connecting with Nature - Wildlife + camping = Wildlife camping with a twist<div style="text-align: center;">Earlier in the year during Winter and what felt like the 100th lockdown we have had I decided once that I had planned, booked and paid for all my holidays I wanted to do some creative unique things I have thought of but not seen people do as who wants to be like everybody else "Not me". <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mjQsZxmms3CYHnD4MGPPN1pamNYFM-ajgp0dI8u6-rQPmLZD0mU43E6JGTC1UsapLZNrlgtuftJAACoDsJfuy6QfceIKFUIFa-1YvMX1-O0Y0JWs3g_VR-EgyeqBVY5wnqoPeezMQh0/s1748/SDC10155.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="1748" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mjQsZxmms3CYHnD4MGPPN1pamNYFM-ajgp0dI8u6-rQPmLZD0mU43E6JGTC1UsapLZNrlgtuftJAACoDsJfuy6QfceIKFUIFa-1YvMX1-O0Y0JWs3g_VR-EgyeqBVY5wnqoPeezMQh0/w578-h293/SDC10155.JPG" width="578" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After kayaking and paddleboarding for many years and my love for camping this got me thinking and I wondered if I could combine the two things together. After many searches on camping on water including rafts and life rafts I found the perfect product which I bought straight away with much excitement. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUUp0XIvTksaslp62DAK6sWgaQxl6z5RufstDfiF-NZjLoMb1jACpjAzyQd09U4VmiYPhkfpz7WMGdXmqZAckLZXZLgv0_vYycirmldNacsG4EV3EGWk8h-CUl_knVv_XqngrTi7vOtU/s2048/178901008_299761428452288_9038251963395272485_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="2048" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUUp0XIvTksaslp62DAK6sWgaQxl6z5RufstDfiF-NZjLoMb1jACpjAzyQd09U4VmiYPhkfpz7WMGdXmqZAckLZXZLgv0_vYycirmldNacsG4EV3EGWk8h-CUl_knVv_XqngrTi7vOtU/w585-h414/178901008_299761428452288_9038251963395272485_n.jpg" width="585" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I enjoyed using 8by2 sturdy well made product in the spring of 2021 it was wonderful that unlike a sup board or kayak to have space and beable to hang my legs in the water on hot days while watching all the river wildlife. So I had the raft base now I needed a cheap tent from Argos that measured just right to place on the raft to test my theory and see what issues there maybe from camping on water whether a river, lake or canal each one brings its own challenges and positives but if it gave me unique moments with nature it was worth it.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wzHjA1wigUy-ZzfQCL2uV1sbgybjOsEXCeSsfxCZSCAnWp7WFX7gEn0jcWRSXu_vCaMQ3wv2tmv3wRi-sPOp-8SC2VaxfjknGZXIqaBfS-tXU_6-hNjD6B3p2JqZIgK2DJGfy5mc2Xk/s601/E7na1_oXsAIUe7A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="601" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wzHjA1wigUy-ZzfQCL2uV1sbgybjOsEXCeSsfxCZSCAnWp7WFX7gEn0jcWRSXu_vCaMQ3wv2tmv3wRi-sPOp-8SC2VaxfjknGZXIqaBfS-tXU_6-hNjD6B3p2JqZIgK2DJGfy5mc2Xk/w480-h341/E7na1_oXsAIUe7A.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">With shallow rivers I can moor up to the banks by stepping out into the water with using a mooring pin or rope onto a tree as there are many isolated areas not accesible by land and only via water especially in this time of overgrown river banks my local river felt like a small piece of the Amazon making there even more of a reason to enjoy camping on the river. On canals and lakes I cannot just step out into the water so it makes the toilet situtation tricky but I solved that quite easily with common sense but thats not for this blog for two reasons. So first I camped alone on the lake and it was amazing no problems except abit wet under the tent from the heavy rain but I slept well and had a good night sleep with the door open I could see the geese and swans plus other various creatures moving in the darkness including bats feeding on the insects buzzing on the waters surface so a bat detector is a future purchase I really want to use while sleeping on the water.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9npSiQZ-ydgaQmDxWzdVy-sv7F0rhc2SMtymfV8ho73E2Nx9iWs7czDjWiUMDLhp8Bbk_FNuBQx6aL4z__sIZFy5u9u09Fv1VLx1geag1WTCeM4kMwoIsrYW4lrhAFE92ejI8UH15Rik/s2048/228873396_1170633926753418_8669748458824229857_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="2048" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9npSiQZ-ydgaQmDxWzdVy-sv7F0rhc2SMtymfV8ho73E2Nx9iWs7czDjWiUMDLhp8Bbk_FNuBQx6aL4z__sIZFy5u9u09Fv1VLx1geag1WTCeM4kMwoIsrYW4lrhAFE92ejI8UH15Rik/w431-h258/228873396_1170633926753418_8669748458824229857_n.jpg" width="431" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #93c47d;">Feeding swans from my comfy bed I even brought my bed pillows from home</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbsPnkGxqvUGVW5IB8ex4068zFvgMnxeyqeEWoFwKNTdKG5qJHdj7VDq_ucgt7t3ytvk5IUW_NH12OMxpilpyNoGOx0Sq1oYzJgorVK3yilKLI9W1p5clzz5uzoYJVmK3_q9HxOjktC8/s2048/225932741_368062531342433_1065452120413214097_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="2048" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbsPnkGxqvUGVW5IB8ex4068zFvgMnxeyqeEWoFwKNTdKG5qJHdj7VDq_ucgt7t3ytvk5IUW_NH12OMxpilpyNoGOx0Sq1oYzJgorVK3yilKLI9W1p5clzz5uzoYJVmK3_q9HxOjktC8/w444-h283/225932741_368062531342433_1065452120413214097_n.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">With my first camp out of the way with a few small issues depending on weather I decided to try with another person in the tent as it was 2 man tent and the says it holds 3 adults and one child so 2 adults and gear for comfort and filming should equal below the maximum weight it can take. The 2 man attempt was on a dry clear night under the stars unlike the first this time we could hear the tawnys calling from the tall willow trees on the lakes edge. My main problem in windy weather is staying still and accesing the front and the boat of the raft for storage and mooring but I'll go into that in my next blog hopefully in the next few days.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Camp raft 2.0 on its way and in a more </span><span><span data-dobid="hdw"><span style="color: #93c47d;">inconspicuous color</span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrdDVmCIWEUXD2lvH46mBdng_Btvj0Zd7DopkVEe04p6j0wwNU-2U225AvyXI6PRvx7ZpDmi9KiscEPhU9WhA6xF3HukQzU2Yok4harDtXgqN__kUs6u1gw9oy2dpGXs5pvM5N6W-nYU/s2048/E98n3NXWQAA7cqY.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="2048" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrdDVmCIWEUXD2lvH46mBdng_Btvj0Zd7DopkVEe04p6j0wwNU-2U225AvyXI6PRvx7ZpDmi9KiscEPhU9WhA6xF3HukQzU2Yok4harDtXgqN__kUs6u1gw9oy2dpGXs5pvM5N6W-nYU/w474-h328/E98n3NXWQAA7cqY.jpg" width="474" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Thanks for reading</p><p style="text-align: center;">Mike</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Stay wild and be free</span></p>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-64538131890367036162021-08-22T12:09:00.006-07:002021-08-23T08:01:25.734-07:00The Barn Owls are back and so am I!<p style="text-align: center;">With days getting shorter and the night coming in earlier the creatures of the night are venturing out into the meadows and woodland eadges much earlier as they know that that we are not around as nights get cooler and our attentions are else where. One evening last week I decided to lay back and relax soaking up all the sounds and smells of late summer from the calls of Grasshoppers to the sweet smell of the Bee and Butterfly filled Budelia being blown across the meadow.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8ntQsBv7JI9lIe_w4EDajDM06AcOunmJOWo-BsxIPVs3J2B6266-tSRlS2kn4px1uy9a7BbSMkHd8u74mS6sVGjEi-FumTXxV4mhExdcxTy1RDZEFLByK1dxGaDJqfCd1VZoEXuLWWk/s2048/DSC_0758.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="2048" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8ntQsBv7JI9lIe_w4EDajDM06AcOunmJOWo-BsxIPVs3J2B6266-tSRlS2kn4px1uy9a7BbSMkHd8u74mS6sVGjEi-FumTXxV4mhExdcxTy1RDZEFLByK1dxGaDJqfCd1VZoEXuLWWk/w369-h246/DSC_0758.JPG" width="369" /></a> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I had a wonderful encounter a few years ago in this field so I decided
on trying to recreate and guess what with a little whistle It happened
again the Barn Owl hovered above for a second and took its perch up in a
nearby Oak tree. </p><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='427' height='355' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxdAl22_gCv2z78pQsx7Rcvkhp_SKr_nWEQPRmZc7MDi-Ckl6ZY0EpXAYsMjw_kicHj-8FiqTWc0N7JmxXVKQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">My secret escape hidden in the Cheshire countryside feels like a small peice of paradise</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVP21VYe3Sa_aPX4oDtw8lOpzy6VgLbMgT9zdWxxyd-kliIMyVDUeWFj-BkSV24ddVOySKKHNgYsr0J7RupePVBO73EGRtGjlURP8EC_JrR2lmWnPmhBtszrd6q_naneOkZlU0seR0bE/s2048/GOPR1086.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVP21VYe3Sa_aPX4oDtw8lOpzy6VgLbMgT9zdWxxyd-kliIMyVDUeWFj-BkSV24ddVOySKKHNgYsr0J7RupePVBO73EGRtGjlURP8EC_JrR2lmWnPmhBtszrd6q_naneOkZlU0seR0bE/w426-h248/GOPR1086.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAh8zVVsPq4odjFUdwYdwzX8QXDKoNTfI3gDSzklENIj6knj8acB3ytHtUeZw-L8150OniuuvoEp_R1oSqjr8uzvnjFUhGFpeT7CyBPA98Dj2oBqA-Y-Z8WZdSXqxToE5b5PFYpoDzrQ/s2048/GOPR1090.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAh8zVVsPq4odjFUdwYdwzX8QXDKoNTfI3gDSzklENIj6knj8acB3ytHtUeZw-L8150OniuuvoEp_R1oSqjr8uzvnjFUhGFpeT7CyBPA98Dj2oBqA-Y-Z8WZdSXqxToE5b5PFYpoDzrQ/w424-h246/GOPR1090.JPG" width="424" /></a><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">I'm getting sent a new book to review this week The Science of Hope: Eye to Eye with our World's Wildlife looks like an interesting read as Hope to me is more about faith than science but the title is very alluring to my pessimistic mind and I used to be such an optimist well some days I still am but as long as I can get to Wales I'll always have something to smile about.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcOqYAb7wL1ahPDY9gT8aLvRzH7umJwDy4OHTCbaH65Qza0HTUFq8Nh1mI2ZcYPknkou3mjWZTVfJx7kqOyAfpQvyVt6cTI_ByVW02gGW8pSiCK3ZvIqYih8GmW5h_Q7uRLZjMnMuMvI/s2048/234903956_638258313817126_1493089151549162672_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="2048" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcOqYAb7wL1ahPDY9gT8aLvRzH7umJwDy4OHTCbaH65Qza0HTUFq8Nh1mI2ZcYPknkou3mjWZTVfJx7kqOyAfpQvyVt6cTI_ByVW02gGW8pSiCK3ZvIqYih8GmW5h_Q7uRLZjMnMuMvI/w406-h275/234903956_638258313817126_1493089151549162672_n.jpg" width="406" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My passion is slowly coming back and I hope to be sharing my wildlife watching and love of nature with you over the rest of the year and beyond...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">My new wildlife watching craft the Aqua marina cascade and theres more adventures to come with it</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU935Jf_3CB6ml1CP0ILevGMmjDl-_7dRMZWPjxZqDXZCTCaXCbAcvs6s41CgfEHnqbk8wlr9GO9_yHwIXPRPNx3Oi6PiTkn8w-bJtfEwjwok3IO_-A_a_5tRMA-9qa9ZB-pwBHwhYkVs/s2048/235955807_589025038765459_19012629777215237_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="2048" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU935Jf_3CB6ml1CP0ILevGMmjDl-_7dRMZWPjxZqDXZCTCaXCbAcvs6s41CgfEHnqbk8wlr9GO9_yHwIXPRPNx3Oi6PiTkn8w-bJtfEwjwok3IO_-A_a_5tRMA-9qa9ZB-pwBHwhYkVs/w446-h333/235955807_589025038765459_19012629777215237_n.jpg" width="446" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Regards</div><p style="text-align: center;">Mike<br /></p></div>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-77670288852307275512021-08-16T11:49:00.008-07:002021-08-23T08:00:41.668-07:00Summers end after 4 weeks by the sea<p style="text-align: center;"> Its been a long time since I have posted anything as I have totally cut back on working, blogging and photography and I have spent my time in and around water from the rivers to the sea in some of the warmest weather we have had this year. I have had some lovely moments with Nature from sunsets with Foxes and sea birds as well as sunrises on the sea while paddleboarding the Conwy river and the North Wales coast, it was lovely reconnect with my passions and get back to the me I knew was there but unreachable till I could do the things that make me happy.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="372" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WgrlPwfCCi0" width="448" youtube-src-id="WgrlPwfCCi0"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: center;">It was great to paddle up the Conwy estaury hearing the Herons and Egrets nesting in the trees along the side of the river even below the surface of the river there was so much marine life large shoals of small fish and sand eels swam beneath me while Oystercatchers called .<br /></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Conwy castle bridge from underneath <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2V54OUXHORMXPTO1mcbhHj8m954Ys9TUC3anEddoXbzjHCr_-EZXlSomI5HKnYne2tLT3At6JT8VVnzycCSavqTRxV7pxMU5YxB0NqauBZVywtXS96d3soEnjgq7squSWBNkkERLrJSo/s1715/hgfghhfg.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="1715" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2V54OUXHORMXPTO1mcbhHj8m954Ys9TUC3anEddoXbzjHCr_-EZXlSomI5HKnYne2tLT3At6JT8VVnzycCSavqTRxV7pxMU5YxB0NqauBZVywtXS96d3soEnjgq7squSWBNkkERLrJSo/w640-h306/hgfghhfg.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Paddleboarding Penryn bay </span><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJOiX-wNANfjzbOFLr47j1xPXNL3iGg1fZgvFo9PboM7aRGWLHuURaxyCgiqNgygWkCQFQhJCIiaz3LiZ3t7CfJvncCrtFO9yUx2Ic6b0okmmDm5c6v3fTnIIKJYi4mUWcsc1Ql0tLig/s1725/1215.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1725" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJOiX-wNANfjzbOFLr47j1xPXNL3iGg1fZgvFo9PboM7aRGWLHuURaxyCgiqNgygWkCQFQhJCIiaz3LiZ3t7CfJvncCrtFO9yUx2Ic6b0okmmDm5c6v3fTnIIKJYi4mUWcsc1Ql0tLig/w615-h313/1215.JPG" width="615" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">While I was away felt so free in the place I want to spend more time and I am already planning 2022 and see how I can get the most out of my paid holiday time and yes I have considered giving up my main job in view of becoming a wildlife/outdoor vlogger but at the minute just to enjoy and film when I feel like it is so appealing right now and I'm really loving it alot.<br /></div></div><div><p style="text-align: center;">Regards</p><p style="text-align: center;">Mike<br /></p></div>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-62672338227536322082021-05-03T10:30:00.003-07:002021-05-03T10:30:34.399-07:00Return to Wales and a new way to camp<p style="text-align: center;"> Over the past few weeks I have had a few breaks on the coast and in the hills just reconnecting with Nature from paddling in the sea at sunset and walking the hills at sunrise it was refershing to get back to the places I love. Before heading on my break I got a chance to try my new raft on the river to replace my paddleboard and kayak so hopefully with a larger study area I can enjoy and spend more time on the water through rain and shine.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRngNM6j2UnYyBO6LdWe5ON-vUU1TsRzxjqvgD-SREMLe7Qp35-CaGkSYXpaUwnvWcoBSW-o5mUQVQzbOvsULlpRYnKttTfF6mAUHpRSBTW7QjdrGTMJQLn9U7ATBSaCb-8gc9URfAo5A/s937/23212321+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="937" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRngNM6j2UnYyBO6LdWe5ON-vUU1TsRzxjqvgD-SREMLe7Qp35-CaGkSYXpaUwnvWcoBSW-o5mUQVQzbOvsULlpRYnKttTfF6mAUHpRSBTW7QjdrGTMJQLn9U7ATBSaCb-8gc9URfAo5A/w502-h293/23212321+%25281%2529.JPG" width="502" /></a></div>I have also thought that it would make a good base for a camping pontoon so I can sleep on the water plus spend the odd night moored in an area of shallow water as the raft is quite sturdy made from quality materials and as it was abit pricey so it should not damage easily.<span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> I have just purchased a cheap tent that should fit perfectly and with a DD Green tarp over the top, which will make the perfect floating tent/filming hide.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL17TeNv7YqPazTVI20U-04EhIsZQYdTLvpdrQgbAfEjAk_85UMtuLOAyIi542iKwpCpCN3q2crmqcSAhB1muWXfAMlPfmwLXRD9QkzTFQczMsfX8OfSfWcvmCCQL2N4IUQGAVuHaf-Is/s2048/178901008_299761428452288_9038251963395272485_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="2048" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL17TeNv7YqPazTVI20U-04EhIsZQYdTLvpdrQgbAfEjAk_85UMtuLOAyIi542iKwpCpCN3q2crmqcSAhB1muWXfAMlPfmwLXRD9QkzTFQczMsfX8OfSfWcvmCCQL2N4IUQGAVuHaf-Is/w480-h358/178901008_299761428452288_9038251963395272485_n.jpg" width="480" /></a> <br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"> I have also sold my D7000 DLSR to my brother so I currently have no DSLR well except a battered old D5000 incasde of a special encounter but as I want to get into video and sharing my encounters, adventures and thoughts through vlogging is really something I want to get into.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xnXYSwh0FW7Aw3Ov6h7mWCVUFQ0ZwCC9nW0jqY4zQgLvIAsIwBvzPOGsybrI0aMI2pCm8Ui9qEiTINyWJCdVbXJeDTzqmF4ZzXP7CKLslhvaaRQgSri7Vz1kydSggwVJVycZ8xKX4Js/s659/EzziTzlXoAcre0r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="659" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xnXYSwh0FW7Aw3Ov6h7mWCVUFQ0ZwCC9nW0jqY4zQgLvIAsIwBvzPOGsybrI0aMI2pCm8Ui9qEiTINyWJCdVbXJeDTzqmF4ZzXP7CKLslhvaaRQgSri7Vz1kydSggwVJVycZ8xKX4Js/w471-h300/EzziTzlXoAcre0r.jpg" width="471" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Next time I finally return to Wales to make up for last years lack of trips to the place I love the most.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnFetBgSjfqUXunZ0d4IZHPF-2d385NcJrnLKpkL-um3-JoMiK5cJqW9R026GrmV7c-wDW8V7YM2UUyb0Ln2kTBIzoFdTkZ3qBxRhE_6Qer9vKGw0xg4_qhvgKvJeQTnxt_kGQc_YacE/s1754/445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="879" data-original-width="1754" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnFetBgSjfqUXunZ0d4IZHPF-2d385NcJrnLKpkL-um3-JoMiK5cJqW9R026GrmV7c-wDW8V7YM2UUyb0Ln2kTBIzoFdTkZ3qBxRhE_6Qer9vKGw0xg4_qhvgKvJeQTnxt_kGQc_YacE/w511-h256/445.JPG" width="511" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Thanks for reading</p><p style="text-align: center;">Mike</p>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-9420020643034537502021-03-28T11:39:00.004-07:002021-03-28T11:41:36.920-07:00Book review - Getting Closer Rediscovering birds through bird photography....<p style="text-align: center;"> The lastest lockdown read has been a wonderful book I've been enjoying while sat up under an old oak tree beside an unused railway track while Skylarks fly above with there spring calls I sit below reading about how I could photograph these flighty delights. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The Book is called Getting Closer Rediscovering birds through bird photograph it was written by Paul Sorrell who took up photography in the early 2000s, giving him a new form of
creative engagement with his longstanding interest in wildlife and the
natural world. His images have featured in local, national and
international wildlife photography competitions, and he has published
online and print pieces for outlets ranging from airline magazines to
Tourism New Zealand’s website and the School Journal.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51jUGErlDGL._SY498_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="246" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51jUGErlDGL._SY498_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Click here to purchase</span> <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Getting-Closer-Rediscovering-Through-Photography/dp/1925820637/ref=asc_df_1925820637/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=499247585259&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4649359542939866526&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046458&hvtargid=pla-920744980060&psc=1&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank">Getting Closer Rediscovering birds through bird photography </a><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> I found that after reading I learned a few new ideas and techniques when photographing birds and to see that someone had written a book with the same passion as me was a wonderful feathery treat to behold. What made the book so appealing and easy to follow is the layout starting simple then going to an advancement throughout the different sections of the book. The top tips and Handy hacks dotted throughout the sections of the book really helped as sometime the smallest changes can have the biggest effect on editing a photographing and taking it. With lots of wonderful photographs taken by a master of his craft really made this book very interesting. I especially loved the many photographs of the Oystercatchersas not matter how many photographs you take of them the background adds so much to the feathered black and white suited birds with there bright orange beaks and red eye rings make them such charasmatic coastal birds. I seem to be seeing alot more in land lately and I will be trying my newly found tips from this book to capture moments of there activity on my local river.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3Nn6Y4cWzXw2ZMAo84a6MOxp0J4MVSLUL-6yyfb0I7fQdpJROvf7NsghW0iCK4hkoGkgJ6vt1TZ9apj9N4MZZSbFqizsiRdaC-ECbG7wH7Cii6ZXTCgx0ab9oiD3BflIzWE4li0jDNo/s2048/D5zu6EiWsAAt1vp.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="2048" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3Nn6Y4cWzXw2ZMAo84a6MOxp0J4MVSLUL-6yyfb0I7fQdpJROvf7NsghW0iCK4hkoGkgJ6vt1TZ9apj9N4MZZSbFqizsiRdaC-ECbG7wH7Cii6ZXTCgx0ab9oiD3BflIzWE4li0jDNo/w509-h291/D5zu6EiWsAAt1vp.jpg" width="509" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Thanks for reading</p><p style="text-align: center;">Mike <br /></p>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-69492488152867510962021-03-28T06:37:00.002-07:002021-03-28T06:38:12.224-07:00An end in sight and Nature is thriving<div style="text-align: center;">With the possible end of Lockdown in sight I have started cleaning up my gear buying a few new pieces of kit plus booking some much needed welsh get aways. I have purchased a few Gopros for some filming from my point of view what I see the stunning views, the sounds and the Wildlife.</div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">On the sunnier days my exercise was in the form of Kayaking and Paddle boarding</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='420' height='258' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxgpCSWdSyY15cAMxXp500gSbin2R5gdp55Mml0Jc34Uyes4v47gScado8dDkZaKG-K58MVIqH-zZVgWBhJuA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">I really want to see the countryside return to the peaceful place it once was without people stepping every where going on private land disturbing areas normally left for birds and mammals undisturbed once again. The importance of freedom and the outdoors means even more to me the earch for solitude will begin soon whether in the Peaks, down a river or on the coast and who knows I may even see this big visitor if it decides to move up the coast to Wales in the next month.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/article20223242.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/1_COR_21032021_walrus_01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="375" src="https://i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/article20223242.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/1_COR_21032021_walrus_01.jpg" width="563" /></a></div> <a href="https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/rare-sighting-arctic-walrus-welsh-20223215">https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/rare-sighting-arctic-walrus-welsh-20223215</a><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">We have a couple of nests in the garden with the Robins and the Blackbirds plus I have treated myself to a few last light sessions by the Badger sett and seeing a few members of the clan come out for a sniff while the foxy neighbours trot past in there search for prey hopefully with cubs underground nearby but I would be lucky to find them before they get to big or to shy to find.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-1ClQ7Hfzr3gJ2eqqaUG5X_iTCHcrBGgVTXZiF4ljaTxPQty_K7tnwHW-EYsYoz-m3U-NPdkaniLNHGiJ9sObCAVe1kkPuAT6ZUGqV43V4ygbxXCSAzsRAuoso5u2PO_0a-KZ6v4vIU/s943/ff.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="943" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-1ClQ7Hfzr3gJ2eqqaUG5X_iTCHcrBGgVTXZiF4ljaTxPQty_K7tnwHW-EYsYoz-m3U-NPdkaniLNHGiJ9sObCAVe1kkPuAT6ZUGqV43V4ygbxXCSAzsRAuoso5u2PO_0a-KZ6v4vIU/w447-h265/ff.JPG" width="447" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOg-jVnxBVwsdy9-M3PDomfRzMC63W-LQA24gaqUqTewvR2vCuyKvdYcd0o_aDH_aWJPOShpaIPzr9jDAEtf-BzNT0ZHUETmPIOPkZdHRKLtS9hWCX6_nBwshwStSa8U39KO6jrUrouM/s2048/FOX+%252829%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOg-jVnxBVwsdy9-M3PDomfRzMC63W-LQA24gaqUqTewvR2vCuyKvdYcd0o_aDH_aWJPOShpaIPzr9jDAEtf-BzNT0ZHUETmPIOPkZdHRKLtS9hWCX6_nBwshwStSa8U39KO6jrUrouM/w448-h297/FOX+%252829%2529.JPG" width="448" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">With it nearly being a year since my dad passed away of terminal cancer and coming out from what feels like a lifetime of mixed up life I'm not sure what it feels like to grive in a normal world. I think due to not having the freedom last year I was not able to deal wih but with days improving and thought of last years events in the past I feel the breaks and wild connections I have this year will mean so much.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">My dads little spot in the Peak district where I like to relax and enjoy nature while thiking of the good times with him.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw90t-3gMWC44tfexqh3Fm-UaBQbEMVMd9KU5HFjP8YUkpAVeNjQ8zcmdU5cKZkrO6gKf6ZoeVvmWF_lll07w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Thanks for reading </p><p style="text-align: center;">Mike</p>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-26632896264481347232021-02-16T12:07:00.006-08:002021-02-16T12:10:54.087-08:00Book review....Max Quinn A life of Extremes....<div style="text-align: center;">With lockdown still in play and holidays booked and planned hoping that when they come around freedom will be once again in our grasp but until then I decided to catch up on a few books and as I'm getting into my survival and living in extreme conditions really appeals to me after losing so much freedom over the last year and my desire to get back to nature is at the forefront of my focus this year. The main book I've been reading is about a natural history filmaker Max Quinn and is called A life of Extremes and they sent me the book for free to see what I think and post my thoughts on my blog.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLhKZibZavC_RwEjM56D645PQlhyphenhyphenD9ig-EK_pkKlO51wm_aga7v4dA6zuXZgDMkwGnE7Zk5fSSMgHIben9L4wdjYgxVK0hDCNv9h-WTiUWRS4PsHcgkorGfai5EHMCEL7q2hwlxxrCps/s400/a-life-of-extremes-max-quinn-9781775594321.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="282" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLhKZibZavC_RwEjM56D645PQlhyphenhyphenD9ig-EK_pkKlO51wm_aga7v4dA6zuXZgDMkwGnE7Zk5fSSMgHIben9L4wdjYgxVK0hDCNv9h-WTiUWRS4PsHcgkorGfai5EHMCEL7q2hwlxxrCps/s320/a-life-of-extremes-max-quinn-9781775594321.jpg" /></a></div><div class="c-panel__body o-expand__cont u-fs--md"><p>Filming in the
worlds most extreme environments requires more than just a steady
hand. In temperatures as low as -50 degrees, your body shuts down and
your equipment freezes up. But it's worth it to witness and record
the stunning beauty and epic struggle of life on the edge.</p>
<p>Since 1991 when he spent 11 months filming the wildlife of
Antarctica, Max Quinn has been the go-to filmmaker for documentaries
such as Expedition Antarctica (2010), Hunting the Ice Whale (2013) and
South America&;s Weirdest (2019). A Life of Extremes tells the
stories and shares the stunning images from Quinn&;s 20 years of
adventures in polar climates. Be it travelling 80 kilometres over
crevassed ice to a lonely colony of Emperor penguins, or figuring out
how to keep cameras warm in the coldest places on earth, Max Quinn has a
story to tell about it. Natural history fans will be enthralled by the
rich and layered stories, while film buffs will marvel at techniques
required to keep the camera rolling when pushed to the absolute limit of
endurance.Become inspired to leave the tourist trail behind with this unique
book about what life is like behind the camera, beyond public transport
and even human habitation. Learn about dog sled racing, the last great
ice age, penguin colonies, and everything else that happens in the
immensely beautiful landscapes where the temperature is permanently
below freezing.</p><p><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">It was tough for me and my brother with tempretures no where near as extreme as bad as the Antartic just to stay warm must have been tough but to stay safe and keep expensive camera gear running must have been a huge trial for a person to live and work in such harsh temperatures gains my respect.</span><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvd3iVRyzk89Y_33F3fhutm-ztRVx3pBlO83BcLPYndo_nEZHXbB3ffZXku6MtJ0UEnkDnHCeDAATyP06xDtXMyWyoV0900FjIPpg6XNvxBcBVxynjI9IGiCl1EVm5TdodpFAzVDRy_E/s878/130601291_437597260738348_9032917376273638393_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="878" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvd3iVRyzk89Y_33F3fhutm-ztRVx3pBlO83BcLPYndo_nEZHXbB3ffZXku6MtJ0UEnkDnHCeDAATyP06xDtXMyWyoV0900FjIPpg6XNvxBcBVxynjI9IGiCl1EVm5TdodpFAzVDRy_E/w423-h262/130601291_437597260738348_9032917376273638393_n.jpg" width="423" /></a></div>I ended up reading this book in the comfort of my bed tucked up in my sleeping bag under my duvet. <p></p><p>To follow a mans life from being a child to a man whos passion was found having expeditions in polar regions to his last trip that took so much from him and due to age it became impossible for him to continue his journeys into the cold knowing he may never return to the harsh, beautiful enviroment of the land of ice and snow. A great book that inspires and shows the endurance and energy one person must have to do the thing they love most even when the risks are high the rewards wre priceless shown through the photographs in this book may his adventures carry on through his Grand Children..<br /></p><p>you can buy it on Amazon for Kindle or Hardback book on the link below.</p><p><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Extremes-Times-Polar-Filmmaker/dp/1775594327">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Extremes-Times-Polar-Filmmaker/dp/1775594327</a></span><br /></p></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Thanks for visiting and reading my blog</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mike<br /></div>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-52651680112181728532020-12-07T08:32:00.065-08:002020-12-21T10:07:54.066-08:00A tale of Ice and Fire....<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've really not felt like sharing much of my nature experiences with life being so tough this past 10 months as I have had to really go back to my roots and just enjoy the moments of simplicity without feeling the need to see new things but really appreciate the things I normally take for granted.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAE4vrej1h2L1MSvCpxGVaRoPJ7sWZFJS8PQQuTh44pzju8pYdAQNFDn5c6LBTu5HhTBtXJJoCocnCxIAHMbcubpjJdzBHOmxwUZT1HZDDyQXOvATOPdSL2OWX1OzgUlYnbGnHiHvlFmA/s1238/222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1238" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAE4vrej1h2L1MSvCpxGVaRoPJ7sWZFJS8PQQuTh44pzju8pYdAQNFDn5c6LBTu5HhTBtXJJoCocnCxIAHMbcubpjJdzBHOmxwUZT1HZDDyQXOvATOPdSL2OWX1OzgUlYnbGnHiHvlFmA/w552-h321/222.jpg" width="552" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The wildest thing I have experienced this year was at the beggining of December on my birthday where we headed up to the Peaks as we had heard there was snow and we were not disapointed. Just as we arrived at the bus station to get the bus into the middle of the peaks it was doubtful we would get there.<br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfehm6kwKT38BUTcjs0rPSepRRkT0j8MIpLGEfqeJYfxbDxTAV8V1_mC7amQvHTzCkEVQJHkQ9MvJn6EBL2XzpT0nP6KMwwm-YGK9C9xAn7uIc83WulJ1wvNP-4aC4ZfAIYyMwWxpOB0/s1707/EolI88AWEAQ5-U3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="1707" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfehm6kwKT38BUTcjs0rPSepRRkT0j8MIpLGEfqeJYfxbDxTAV8V1_mC7amQvHTzCkEVQJHkQ9MvJn6EBL2XzpT0nP6KMwwm-YGK9C9xAn7uIc83WulJ1wvNP-4aC4ZfAIYyMwWxpOB0/w671-h176/EolI88AWEAQ5-U3.jpg" width="671" /></a></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvaZNz2TGu_rcGimcDa67Ho-3QyEBg7ntsHWSFknYOPcC2JKcyUGIgobvE1-Td30BSeKv2NUGEGDnVMA_qYl7q1aEVBl_FZo4tn1tOdtdVOFt84F1WH0g-7asd1yL7rCHjUvfBVnnRfI/s1536/128928051_297145674957567_3556661085376732198_n.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1536" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvaZNz2TGu_rcGimcDa67Ho-3QyEBg7ntsHWSFknYOPcC2JKcyUGIgobvE1-Td30BSeKv2NUGEGDnVMA_qYl7q1aEVBl_FZo4tn1tOdtdVOFt84F1WH0g-7asd1yL7rCHjUvfBVnnRfI/w653-h492/128928051_297145674957567_3556661085376732198_n.png" width="653" /></a></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was amazing being in a snow storm watching the Red Grouse search for food calling to each other gathering in groups. It felt like we were in the middle of an Alaskan white out with snow up to our waists and I was disapointed as we dropped down to where the snow had melted on the ground.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='561' height='372' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwFgOtIqm58lJYF-GxxkQGoenP_Fpo7UiKX_wLIblyZUGHabGzoVeXSnjypLH8xV1JInd_IfAbJyI3950UwJA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">On the next day after the snow I ended up going kayaking at 4am in the morning in the dark on the river to have a campfire on one of the sandbanks and soak up the silence in the middle of no where.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwj5RqhjWB_9lpI_POyikdoOHxbb1CfJ113TY7tbxwTa4tN6-o534RA5-r9mGg-BvGK3kUtYMjfrg43TF54S9Iyu_C-kaz5OYPwHsB6Pr9ziH8AADoeVjohR0koGm6bq8mWEVAebCDRHo/s2048/132034978_429697248068141_3730121178936266606_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwj5RqhjWB_9lpI_POyikdoOHxbb1CfJ113TY7tbxwTa4tN6-o534RA5-r9mGg-BvGK3kUtYMjfrg43TF54S9Iyu_C-kaz5OYPwHsB6Pr9ziH8AADoeVjohR0koGm6bq8mWEVAebCDRHo/w554-h412/132034978_429697248068141_3730121178936266606_n.jpg" width="554" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I think I'll hold off any plans for 2021 as we don't what or when things will be happening...<br /></span></div><div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Regards</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Mike</span><br /></p><p></p></div>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-39950045435673773612020-11-10T08:38:00.001-08:002020-11-16T10:33:34.118-08:00Something for lockdown a little experiment...NOCMIG??<p style="text-align: center;"> While searching my social media for local sightings I came upon a new word in the birding and Nature field the word in question is Nocmig while before I go into this word I'll explain a what another word means. The first word is Vismig which is short for visible migration which refers to bird migration you can see where flocks or individual birds can be seen flying through the day on a journey coming from or going to a location from where they live usually we gets lots of migrants from Europe or even further. VISMIG is best oberved on the coast for rarer signtsings after they fly over the sea birds like to rest on headlands and beaches beforee moving off on there journeys. So thats vismig now NOCMIG which is the nocturnal migration of birds but you cant see the birds with the naked eye so the best way to findout what birds fly over during migration is to record at night there calls and I've posted a link to how it works below as they explain it better than me and I have not done this myself yet but it looks interesting as I live in a good spot in the centre of the country where the shortest journey is from the Irish sea across the country to europe or visa versa, the best thing is we have a flate root blocked from one side of a main road facing into an open sky the other side meaning any bird calls over the roof get projected down and should record clearly on my device well once I get one.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaU_F3KYx1mJ2EcfoZue6WTXsq5M1F4tUvLPu-5Mhd9PUwiPYSwtP9CzZ3nRMCkubswYj0wkE7al6Kk8bfpJv2oQr7RcAJ-6ipfgJGxicCcFEBay_0dJDJLptfJC-Ug8Y-4XcyvxVf2A/s2048/_DSC6956.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="2048" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaU_F3KYx1mJ2EcfoZue6WTXsq5M1F4tUvLPu-5Mhd9PUwiPYSwtP9CzZ3nRMCkubswYj0wkE7al6Kk8bfpJv2oQr7RcAJ-6ipfgJGxicCcFEBay_0dJDJLptfJC-Ug8Y-4XcyvxVf2A/w560-h373/_DSC6956.JPG" width="560" /></a></div> <span style="color: #6aa84f;">Beginners guide </span><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.bto.org/community/blog/nocmig-beginners-guide">https://www.bto.org/community/blog/nocmig-beginners-guide</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Dedicated recording website to help diferensiate bird calls</span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://nocmig.com">https://nocmig.com</a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Thanks for reading</p><p style="text-align: center;">Mike<br /></p>Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-56912102473277708802020-07-22T10:21:00.002-07:002020-07-23T10:04:55.598-07:00Summer days are shortening....<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been a while since my last post and with the government brain reprograming I knew things needed to get better soon. As in the photograph below the clouds parted and the sun shone well in terms of annoucments towards Wales unlocking and holidays allowed once more so I booked a cottage in Wales and waited anxiously for the unlocking of my second home so I could return to visit a few of my most loved places.</div>
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On one of my walks on the hotter days at the end of June I sheltered in a woodland glade and ended up getting the best encounter with a hunting grass snake as it slithered through the leafy woodland floor.</div>
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Tasting the air</div>
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Rising up over a fallen branch which really made the snake hiss</div>
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I also put my new Google wifi camera to work although my new mammals gate got a few visitors the the Foxy guests I am trying to attract never showed up.</div>
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It may only be July but I see and feel the changes of the summer fading and things becoming scraggy and the cooler nights and mornings bringing wet grass and browner leaves at ground level.</div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">-In my next blog The first holiday after lock down with some surprising encounters-</span></div>
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Thanks for reading Mike</div>
Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-57913310240232802032020-06-07T08:54:00.001-07:002020-06-18T10:05:17.093-07:00 A new normal for Nature<div style="text-align: center;">
So as lockdown ended I returned to my favorite passion on the river on my journey with my kayak on my back I found mess and disturbance in wild places where people normally never tread from campfires with rubbish to new biking paths ripped through bluebell forests. </div>
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As the lockdown madness ends hopefully people will leave my local wild places and return to places further afield. The river was quite busy with old and young swimming and sunbathing in the river and on the banks so the nesting water birds are being very secretive. I always have a rest on the end of my kayaking trip and park up on a sandbank to soak up some sun have a rest and see what birdlife shows up. I've been watching a pair of Little-ringed plovers hopefully breeding and nesting on the low sandbank but with disturnbance to be high on the sunny days and on the wet day's risk of flooding I don't see much but we shall see and I will update in the future.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtrN5qj19aRuxzFxgcauSdLdeGNjsUelRPbd4gMyNv35gzw564sh9q5FYgU3gXwVz9616xn0uulEvg-qs2tJZFiGAHdIUCL6a4Fo-Nzbry6oPg95bivt5WLXoDc3t5NhftKaRq5UuJJA/s1600/DSC_0580.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtrN5qj19aRuxzFxgcauSdLdeGNjsUelRPbd4gMyNv35gzw564sh9q5FYgU3gXwVz9616xn0uulEvg-qs2tJZFiGAHdIUCL6a4Fo-Nzbry6oPg95bivt5WLXoDc3t5NhftKaRq5UuJJA/s640/DSC_0580.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hanky panky on the sand bank</div>
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I had a few wild swims in the river on the hotter days on my walks home from work made the pressures of working in retail melt away in the clear flowing rivers where Mayflies and Dragons dance on the surface and the fish swim below the surface waiting for an easy meal.</div>
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One place that has been keeping me sane is the peak district and we heard and saw a our first Cheshire Cuckoo of the year in a quiet valley away from all the people enjoying being released from there homes and local patches. I never want to leave the secluded valley on the sunny days as the mossy ledges make the perfect sunbathing spots and with water flowing close by its easy enough to cool off after a long walk or a quick nap.</div>
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Next time: Sorrow once more and my need for the sea....</div>
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With regards</div>
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Mike</div>
Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-8138252499033258342020-04-19T11:57:00.004-07:002020-04-23T10:02:54.398-07:00Death and new life<div style="text-align: center;">
It has been a tough few months of happiness, sadness, and stress but one thing that remains constant is the Nature that's in my garden and my hidden local spots where I won't see a soul. Just before the Lockdown with the virus I and my family found out that my father had terminal cancer and only had a few months to live. I knew one day this time would come and 4 weeks ago he started to show quickly go downhill and the last 2 weeks of caring for him were so precious for me, my brother, and my mother. I told him so many times in those 2 weeks how much I loved him and that he was the greatest dad/man I have known. I would not have been able to get through this without nature and my daily dose of the renewal of life as my father was losing his. Once he got so weak we felt like there was no more we could do and his pain was getting to hard manage so we luckily got him into st Lukes which was a beautiful place. The last moments before going are of holding his hand saying goodbye and I loved him so much. I remember seeing him smiling as he went off with my younger brother in the back of a patient transfer bus staring at us and the house he raised his family and spent 40 years working and being happily married brings a tear to my eye and a smile to face.<br />
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My brother told me a lovely thing that before my brother left him at St Luke's he grabbed his hand and said "Thank you for everything" which made me cry and smile at the same time even now it gets me and will for many years to come. A few days later after being visited by my mum and sister each day then on Easter Monday as the sunset on a beautiful warm summer day, we got the call we were waiting for that my father had passed away. When I found out he was dying of cancer I wanted him to go on a sunny blue sky day it was one of the saddest days of my life but I was happy as I knew he was free from pain and since that day when I am out in the woods or walking country path, I think of him and see him in the beauty of nature around me. I'll try to post more soon but it will take time for me to get back to the energy I once had...<br />
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Thank you</div>
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Mike</div>
Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734643215000580630.post-61065310956270418822020-01-05T05:33:00.002-08:002020-01-05T05:33:32.443-08:00END OF 2019 AND BEGINNING OF WILD2020<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm a bit late with my usual end of year blog but with the disconnection between myself and social media of late. This is the third attempt at writing this blog post as I have started planning my 2020 wild camping and places to visit plans but then again being on foot without a car can throw abit of chaos in as the weather quickly changes in the Uk.</div>
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This year I will be crossing the bridges when I come to them and I'm sure there will be many to cross</div>
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Regards</div>
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Mike </div>
Mike Mottramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629364823490263263noreply@blogger.com0