Nellie the Elephant

It's amazing what a little bit of snow will do to enhance tha natural sculptures in the park. This beech had an amazing elephant's head growing out of it.

I'm so Pretty

Such a handsome bird and he knows it. This Great Spotted Woodpecker coudn't resist the peanuts pushed into an old rotting branch. He certainly knew how to pose. Any other bird coming within pecking range was sent packing with that lethal weapon on his.

Lots of birds have been coming to food left out for them. Competion in the cold weather led to some strange antics.

Tried to get some photos of the birds in flight. Not easy as the light was always dismal as the sun is still very weak at this time of year and the birds are so fast!

Double Trouble

The Grey Squirrels are once again rampant in the park. 4 today eating everything in sight and not a bit bothered by human presence. They are sooooo short-sighted. It's a shame there are no Red Squirrels in the park. I wonder of YSP would support a captive breeding programme as other areas of the UK have done. Perhaps there are not enough conifers to support the reds as their digestion cannot cope with the tannins in acorns and such foods as well as the greys can.

The pair of adult swans that raised 5 young last year have succeeded in evicting two of their brood. The male is constantly chasing the youngsters who don't seem to understand why dad is always after them. He is using a huge amount of energy up.

The Goosander are becoming more confiding as the winter wears on. The robins are loving the suet pieces and peanut butter left out for them.

In the Bleak

Brrrrr! Everything frozen.... again. At least the sun came out for once.

Plants in the freezer

This Dunnock lives life in the shadows, always picking up little titbits dropped by other birds. From a distance it looks a drab grey/brown, but up close and personal, it's amazing what details the plumage holds.

This cold weather has given me many opportunities for photography. This Burdock seed head looked great in the macro lens. Nature really does make the best sculptures!

A pair of very excitable Great Spotted Woodpeckers have been filling up at the feeding station. This scruffy male can eat for England. The upper lake in mostly frozen now and Siskin are beginning to use the feeders now the weather is so cold.