soccer

Despite the chill in the air, this morning, I got up out of bed, and with only a few sips of coffee in me, forced myself out the front door for a walk. I’m so glad I did!

Along the way, I overheard a cat being turfed out the front door and went over to commiserate. It turns out the cat was in quite a nice situation on the front porch, so I took a photo to capture its indignant “resignation”.

So hard-done by.

A visit to the pond up the road proved to be quite fascinating. The ducks who frequent the spot were on location, but when one landed on the water from above, it was startled by a creature from the depths! I had a very tough time getting this “unknown” on camera from the distance where I am able to stand (there are loads of rushes and weeds all along the embankment). I gave up trying to get a photo of it because my hands were being to freeze.

Much to my surprise, when I loaded my images, I discovered that I actually had caught the mystery-animal on film. Too bad the image is so blurry. I will get a better one eventually.

Any guesses on what it is?

I was overjoyed when this fellow appeared on the horizon and began to circle the pond looking for a place to land. Eventually, he turned back and came to rest on this railing near the adjacent reservoir.

My first Belted Kingfisher.

And finally, a bit of a long-shot, but also somewhat of an inside joke. Kevin and I fancy these gulls, who regularly visit the soccer pitch across the road, are actually playing in a game of five-a-side. What do you think?