THE RAMBLINGS OF A STRUGGLING ARTIST ON LIFE WITH TWO TERRIERS, A PONY WITH ISSUES AND OTHER WILDLIFE AND BIRDS THAT CROSS OUR PATH

24 February 2013

RIVER ICE


Yesterday we went to Shilley Pool, part of Blackaton Brook near Throwleigh. As the crow flies it's not that far from us but, in the absence of roads over the moor (thank goodness), it takes about half an hour to drive the long way round. The place is a wonderful natural swimming pool, with a huge granite water slide above it. I can't say I've ever swum in it but have observed those hardy enough to brave it. 






Once we had picked our way down into the steep valley and exclaimed, as we always do, at its geological magnificence, we noticed some amazing ice formations dotted all downstream of the pool. Mostly attached to overhanging vegetation or rocks making up the banks, I have never seen anything quite like them. Utterly beautiful. There are quite a lot....just warning you!
















  







On the way home, I spotted this Buzzard on top of a telegraph pole. Not brilliant - sorry. In my defense, it was a long way off, as was the lovely Stonechat I caught that morning - the first of the year so far. 


Last year I didn't stand a chance with the old camera as they are very shy and flutter off as soon as they see you. However, this year I'm determined to get a good one. This clearly isn't it....


Better luck with the Sparrows at the bird feeding station of course. Our flock are about fifty strong I would say, talking of which, a few days ago, a flock of Fieldfare were up in the field adjacent to Trigger's. I counted thirty in a block and then assessed the number of those blocks in the flock. There were AT LEAST four and therefore at least 120 birds. Amazing. Anyway....here are those Sparrows:




It's been a great weekend where we've actually got out twice rather than spending most of the time processing wood and doing household chores. Haytor today which I will post about later in the week. Until then, here's Snippet, who had a great time by the river tearing chunks of ice off the bank and crunching them up....hope you all had a lovely weekend.






29 comments:

  1. Really enjoyed seeing these photographs, you always take such great ones.

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  2. At times with my camera, as soon as I Zoom in the focus goes out of wack, very discouraging most times. That water is sooo cold I am certain.

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  3. Looks a lot colder up your way great set of photos

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  4. I will stop complaining about the cold - your ice photos are stunning!

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  5. Gorgeous pics Em- shows perfectly how cold it's been the last few days. I see Snippet is keeping his face averted from the camera in case of further comment about his new hair do...

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  6. Lovely photos. The ice pictures are just amazing and so beautiful.

    Thanks for the instructions on how to get to the wood re: Hound Tor :)

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  7. Lovely ice photos~water would be too cold for me!

    Sparrow photos are great. They look just like ours!

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  8. Sorry not to reply to you all individually...I have to scoot out to the doctor's as I have some rather worrying squelchiness going on in my ear. Nice! Thanks for your lovely comments. x

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  9. Lovely photos of the sparrows Em and the ice ones are fascinating and very arty looking. I'm very envious about the Stonechat as we don't get them in my area.

    Hope you get the ear sorted out...shall I shout? :-) Best wishes, Jan.

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  10. I was just thinking to myself that there was not much sign of Spring on Dartmoor, when suddenly all those wonderful ice photographs appeared!
    And that stone char - already in his breeding colours I see - perhaps he knows that Spring is just around the corner, although here in North Yorkshire it is bitterly cold, log burner weather.

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  11. Jan - I lost half the hearing in my left ear a couple of years ago due to a non-specific infection so I'm really hoping antibiotics will sort the right one out!

    Weaver - It's absolutely freezing here too. Even the primroses are suffering. The Stonechat was definitely with its partner so I hope you're right!

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  12. Your ice photos are beautiful. Are you tempted to try a painting?

    I have heard the stonechats up in the gorse here but haven`t seen one yet. Good to know that they are pairing up again and that spring can`t be far away.

    I hope your ear soon gets better. Not good in this cold weather!

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  13. I hadn't thought about painting them - no, but it's not a bad idea. Ear still sounding squelchy but in hand! I keep it well wrapped up in summer too.

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  14. Hi again Em. That sounds nasty! I didn't intend to sound flippant, I know only too well how very debilitating ill health is :-( I do hope the antibiotics correct the problem as soon as possible.

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  15. I didn't think you were being flippant at all....if you can't laugh about these things it's a downward spiral!

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  16. These are stunning. I love your sere pictures of Dartmoor. I was down there last week with my family (parents and sister and her family) and it looked just like this! I suspect you might not live far away.

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  17. You should think of somehow using your photos in a book or something they are so original... Hope your ear gets better soon, keep them wrapped in this icy weather.

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  18. What lovely photos and they made me feel cold! The pool is a really amazing spot. Although I am moaning about being cold here, it is nothing like as bad as when we had a foot of snow outside and no c/heating, or when our river froze almost from bank to bank. I will have to compare icicle photos with you : )

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  19. Elizabeth - Ahaa.....I wonder where you were...?

    ChineCats - Thank you!

    Thelma - I look VERY silly in the headgear department at the moment!

    BB - This grim grey cold lacks any inkling of the Dunkirk spirit that snow inspires so I guess that's why it's so depressing. Would love to see your icicles!

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  20. Em - my family live in Belstone, near Okehampton.

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  21. You've created more magic with your camera Em... I thoroughly enjoyed these photos!

    ¤´¨)
    ¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
    (¸.·´ (¸.·`¤... Jennifer
    http://jennsrandomscraps.blogspot.ca

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  22. Thanks Jenn. It's getting a little warmer....zero degrees today!

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  23. Ohhh, ahhh. Ohhh, ahhh. Ohhhh ahhhh! Pure poetry in these images Em. What a beautiful visual prayer for nature.

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  24. Thanks Mark. I imagine you see similar scenes in your part of the world. I'm still thinking about your lovely Redpoll by the way.

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  25. Redpolls make me smile too! :)

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  26. Hello! This lot of fab photos reminds me of my final Uni Art project 'Icicles' similar pictures & sme very dodgy metalwork!

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  27. Do you still have them? Were they on proper film in black and white? x

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment. It's great to read them and I will always try to reply.