It’s time I started using more of the power and styles of WordPress in an effort to make my website more pleasant to be visiting. So here goes my first effort at using Groups and some of the style controls on this website. Once I have something I like the look of I should create a template of it to make it easier for new posts. I did use some of these features on the Baildon Civic and Historical Society website. I need to go and look at how I did it.
Baildon Bank
On Saturday morning it was quite misty and I wondered, as I have on many occasions, what it would be like looking out over Baildon from Baildon Bank. This time I decided to find out. I have recently bought a Sigma 18-50mm f:2.8 DC DN lens for my Canon R7 camera to replace the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f:2.8 lens that is big and heavy and needs an adaptor.
Rodley Nature Reserve
Later on Saturday I went to Rodley Nature Reserve. The road off Town St. was full of traffic so I stopped on the other side of the road. As I went passed I could see that the bridge over the canal was closed (= open for boats) and had to wait 15 minutes or so before the traffic was moving.
Lagoon
On the Lagoon the Swans still seem to be staying together as families though I did here some people talking about one of the cygnets seeming to be happy to wander off by itself. In addition to the Shoveler and the one I have labelled Hybrid there were also Little Grebe, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard, Gadwall, Lapwing, various Gulls, Cormorant, Grey Heron and the white spread of a Little Egret coming in to land at the back of the island in the Lagoon.
The Hybrid shown above is a puzzler. The closest photo likeness I have seen was supposedly a cross between a Northern Shoveler and an American Wigeon but I don’t know why something like that would be at Rodley. Perhaps someone can let me know what they think?
Path edges
Along the edges of the paths between the hides and ponds are various plants that the tiny wildlife can hide in. The Hairy Caterpillar could be that of a Ruby Tiger Moth. The Nettle Tap Moth was clinging to one flower while reaching out with its tongue to feed on the next.
I had seen several lone Ladybirds but was surprised to find one plant with several on it. Looking closer shows what looks like cobwebs and Aphids. Ladybirds do eat Spider Mites and Aphids. So perhaps this area of the plant is a rich source for both, hence the group of Ladybirds.
Several Migrant Hawker could be seen flying around and one of these days I will get a decent photo of one flying. I did reasonably well a few weeks ago on the Leeds Liverpool Canal on Dockfield Road, but I could do better. A bright yellow sack seemed attractive to a couple of Dragonfly. I think they are a male and female Common Darter.
Reward
It is great to wander around the reserve and see the likes of Swans and Herons and Mallards but it is even better to get good sights of Kingfisher. Even though I often see them it is always a thrill. Watching a Green Sandpiper wading and feeding was also great.
Sparrowhawk
On Tuesday I looked out of a window and was surprised to see a decent sized feathered shape in the garden. It then turned to look at me – a Sparrowhawk. The colouring of the upper feathers and the irregular marking on its breast show that it is a juvenile. Blood can be seen on the nostrils so I assume it has hit a window somewhere. If it had been one of ours I think we would have heard it and I am sure it would have left some kind of mark. I went out to it and when I looked up there was a Red Kite circling, could it already sense a meal? The Sparrowhawk wouldn’t let me get close to it and hid in the bushes.
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