Autumn

Fly Agaric - and I didn't even have to go hunting for it, it was on the green at Newburgh when I returned to my favourite place for Autumn photos.

A bit too early - there weren't many leaves on the ground but Anya wanted to see it and this was the one free morning. The light wasn't good either perhaps I will be able to return in a few weeks time.

The last time I took this photo it was suggested that I try to get the cross to hide the gable end of the row of houses, well I think I managed that. It was also said that I should get the whole of the seat on the left in the picture, unfortunately immediately behind the seats is a litter bin so I had to be careful not to include that.

Our Lady and All Saints Parbold.

I thought this would be a lovely church to photograph but unfortunately on the day I arrive so do the workmen with their high visibility jackets and huge diggers!

Catholic Church of St Joseph Wrightington

South Lakes, part 2

Three people who didn't seem at all affected by the cold in fact they seemed to thrive on it.

Open wide - you are at the dentist

I have hopefully sneaked this tiny one in without it being noticed!

South Lakes Wild Animal Park

Last week I spent a lovely day at South Lakes Wild Animal Park with Anya and the boys. It was really cold and the light was not good for photographs but - here are the best of a bad bunch!

It must have been 'wash and blow dry' time for the giraffes.

The lemurs made the most of the few minutes of sunshine.

Yum yum!

P p p p p pick up a penguin

Aerobics for penguins

Gosh where did all these giants appear from?

Aha think we've found a way out

The lions and tigers had to climb a 6m pole to get to their food which sadly was a dead chicken skewered onto the pole by wardens climbing up a ladder - it took them 5 minutes to do that and the lions 5seconds to get the food down.

The light was in the wrong place (well that's my excuse) and it was impossible to get a photo without netting in the background.

These chaps were huddled together as if trying to keep the young warm. I wished I could have borrowed their coats for the day!

And yet a few more form Martin Mere

Wish I had known about these birds when I was young, I always used to get teased about the size of my feet - stand well back from the kerb etc etc. Now I am just thankful for the good understandings!!

Bath time - talking of bath time last time I was at Martin Mere a child fell into the lake with the flamingoes, one minute he was standing on the edge and the next he was floating on his back in the water. His main concern was that the wheat he had in a bag had got wet and wouldn't be any good to feed to the ducks!!

This whistling duck lives with one of the pairs of crowned crane. There are now two sets of crowned crane so hopefully there will be more photo opportunities soon. We now have Posh and Becks and Romeo and Juliet.

Work, rest and play!

HEEL - stop pulling!

That was hard work I'm ready for some nourishment.

Go on I'm watching.

Well I was but now there may be something more interesting over there.

Some Wigan Churches

St Aidans Church Billinge, Wigan.

Parish Church of All Saints, this is situated right in the heart of Wigan town centre. The gardens provide a peaceful haven for the tired shopper.

I returned in the evening in the hope of some photos of St Georges Church but alas it was not lit up. The only thing I managed was Wigan's famous piece of metal!!

The Church of St Thomas the Martyre of Upholland.

I couldn't resist the side entrance - pity the door is blue and not green! ('Green door what's that secret you're keeping?' by Shakin Stevens)

School Lane Upholland.

Out and about

My favourite bridge again, the only place that doesn't seem to let me down -

Great reflection photos to be had especially with my 3 trees! (Apparently odd numbers are better than even.)

and of course the odd boat

Autumn seems to be setting in at Martin Mere, this is one of my favourite paths near to the King Fisher hide (rather aptly named as the king fisher is usually nowhere to be seen!). Last Saturday when I worked there I spent my entire lunch break in the Ron Barker hide waiting for a glimpse of the king fisher as he had been spotted nearby during the morning. Apparently about 5 minutes after I left he reappeared, ah well he obviously doesn't like me, I will have to go in disguise next time.