Churches in and around Wigan

St Wilfrid's Standish Parish Church. Very difficult to photograph without cars somewhere in the shot, as cars park at the front all night as well it would be no use me going at the crack of dawn!

St Marie's Church also in Standish.

Holy Trinity Church, Downall Green Ashton in Makerfield. When we were first married we lived in the shadow of this Church, at least we had no problems with neighbours.

Our Lady's Church, Bryn, Ashton in Makerfield.

Trumpeter swans, Martin Mere, November 2007

Am sure you will remember the trumpeter swan with her eggs (23/05/07 - have included the original photo). I have been following her progress, sadly she lost 2 of her babies but the 3 remaining cygnets seem to be doing very well. They are no longer shy and come to the fence for bread.

Whooper swans at Martin Mere November 2007

Arrived just in time.

Come on folks - food this way!

Can't believe it's only 3.15 pm!!

Just for you Anya!

And for this one I had to stick my head out of the window of the hide and nearly got blown away, the weather was atrocious! You had to set the camera, take a deep breath, open the hatch, stick the camera out and take a series of shots and hope for the best. I suppose the swans thought it was like summer after their flight from Iceland.

Some old favourites (again)

Think this was the early morning yoga class for flamingoes

and cygnets!

The crowned cranes just aren't the same now since the new younger ones were introduced, they tend to be camera shy so you will have to make do with the common and demoiselle cranes.

Is this the first 2 and 1/2 headed duck!!!!

SWANS !

Apologies for the quality of these photos but the weather was so horrible it was unbelievable. You had to brace yourself to open the window in the hide, stick the camera out , shoot and get back in again before being blown away.