Blackbirds are now in the process of stripping our crab apple trees of fruit.
After a quick look around,
they tear off an apple then make their way back to their homes across the road.
We can just make out others, like this sparrow, about to leave the runway over there.
Raindrops kept the food moist between bouts of sunshine.
We spent some time making Christmas cards before and after lunch. By the time we drove to Everton Post Office to send them on their way the rain had ceased and the sky cleared somewhat.
Sunset beckoned as we approached Shirley Holms afterwards.
Pools developing on the soggy terrain.
A car drew up and parked in puddles.
The owner decanted two dogs. The animal with the thinner coat appeared decidedly reluctant to test the water.
Running streams were being gouged into the stony moorland,
and flowing over the lane.
Pastel cloudscapes resembled cotton billows.
Ponies would continue chomping grass well into the night.
Further along Shirley Holms Road unusually silent starlings gathered on an oak,
equally silently took to flight.
The still, crystal clear lake at Pilley produce mirror images,
while sunset’s pink and indigo fingers streaked the underlying pale blue skies.
Pretty scenes, indeed.
Nice to know your rain relented. Ours didn’t. It simply poured down for over 50 hours, and I had to keep a towel on the bed overnight to dry off cats that had answered a call of nature.
Thanks a lot, Leslie. I hope you are doing well.
I loved the water reflections of your photographs, Derek.
I thought them particularly striking as well.
Thanks very much
Thanks very much, Ronnie.
The shaggy dog looks all wet anyway, so what’s a little splashing in a puddle?
Beautiful mirror images and marvelous sunset, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Dolly.
My pleasure, Derrick.
Great sunset!
Thanks very much, Sheree.
Jackie’s instincts about getting the photo of the crabapples before the birds got them all was right. Beautiful photos–I particularly like. . .oh gosh, I can’t decide. Those pastel clouds though and the reflections and the sunset and the pony. . .
Jackie got to this comment before I did – she liked it so much that she read it out to me. I liked it, too. Thanks very much, Merril.
You are both welcome!
🙂
All that water makes me jealous.
Sorry about that, Peggy. Thanks very much.
Love the reflections and the pastel sky!
Thanks very much, Jill
‘Silent starlings’ is a bit of an oxymoron – but we got a rare glimpse of starlings with closed beaks, who’d a thunk it!! It’s a fantastic photo, my favourite one today I think.
It was up there on my favorite list!
Thank you.
Thanks very much, Pauline. The silence was a bit uncanny – the closed peaks was a good spot of yours.
Will all that dry out if there is a good spell or is it set to be soggy until spring?
It would dry out in a dry spell, Tootlepedal. Thanks very much.
Great photos. We have similar amounts of standing water.
Thanks very much, Gary. I’m sure you do.
Winter in your photos is looking amazing. Summer in Western Australia already bloody hot!
I remember how it was at Christmas 2007. I hope your roses do better this year. Thanks very much, Gay.
Brrr. Looks like a good day to stay inside and close to the fire. It’s even cold here today. Soon I’ll go into the hot water pool, but difficult to get out afterwards.
Thanks very much, Judy. We are promised another very wet day today.
And where does Nubbin go on these wet days?
He was flitting about today – using his feeder and protecting his territory even in the rain. Usually we don’t see him then.
Dogs and ponies and reflections and sunsets! It doesn’t get much better than that!
Thanks very much, Luanne 🙂
Nice pictures, Derrick. I felt the chills and damp looking at your scenery. Brrrrrr!
Many thanks, Steve. That’s what the dog said 🙂
Dogs are so smart!
It does look quite cool and damp there. Love your photos as always, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Sylvia.
That sunset had to be even more gorgeous in person.
Great photos Derrick
Thanks very much, More.
You’re welcome
Excellent snippets of beautiful English countryside! My favorites are the reflected buildings in the water, which has to very, very still to produce such perfect pictures!
Thank you very much, Diane. It was as still as I’ve ever seen it.
Oh, those pastel cloudscapes!
Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome!
A truly beautiful collection of photographs. There is something comforting about all your watery shots that we so lack in this drought-stricken area.
I’m pleased you can at least get some comfort from them, Anne. Thanks very much.
OH! Your clouds, reflections, birds, doggies, and pony photos are lovely!
Love the water as a mirror!
Your last 3 photos made me SIGH 🙂
All our puddles have disappeared and left mud. Ha! 🙂 I might have to made some mud-pies to give as Christmas gifts! 😉 😛
HUGS!!! 🙂
PS…for dinner we had a delicious greens salad, some pasta, some tomatoey-oniony-peppery-saucy-sauce, and some Italian sausage. 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. That was some excellent supper. X
I love all your photos but I particularly like the reflections. I meant to say that I thoroughly enjoyed your photos of the angry sea in your last post. There’s something wonderful about angry waves in winter.
We had terrible gales earlier in the week, but we enjoyed one dry day where I finally ventured out of the door to bring in logs and nip to the shops to pick up supplies.
We ran out of oil too, just two days before our delivery was due! Fortunately, they managed to top up the tank from what was left in a tanker that was passing nearby! That was one very cold day!
Running out of oil is a real fear. We have so far only done it once. Thanks very much, Sue.
Lovely photos as always Derrick. Love the bird shots.
Thank you very much, Arlene.
It’s great how you can even make rainy weather and mud puddles interesting!
Thanks very much, GP
Derrick, I realise I’m looking at the rain and damp all wrong! Your photos are beautiful and mystical … I’ll try and not moan about the downpours again! Do you make all your Christmas cards? I was hoping to see a picture!
Thanks very much, Annika. We just make a few these days – of photos that have appeared on the blog.
Oh, what lovely pictures. And water, water everywhere.
Thanks very much, Laurie
I don’t blame the dog for wanting to get back in the car!
Nor me
Now we know where all the rain has gone from Australia. Please send it back after you finish with it.
I wish we could, Paol. Thanks very much.
What a lot of water! I love all those beautiful reflections.
Thank you very much, Clare
Wonderful documentation Derrick.
Thank you very much, Rupali
I enjoyed your photos, Derrick! The winter in your area has its own special beauty.
It certainly does, Lavinia. Thank you very much.
Those are soulful pictures of vistas wet, of starlings embroidered in the oak tree and the sky, and of objects mirrored downwards in pools of water.
“Embroidered” is good, Uma. Thanks very much.
The photos with reflections are quite wonderful. The poor dog obviously felt he didn’t have enough protection against the cold water unlike his very furry friend.
Thank you very much LL/PS