A post containing pictures
The last pass of the International Space Station over the UK in 2015, on Christmas Eve (click on the picture for the full size):
It was a low pass (as you can see) and not as bright as previously, also it wasn’t as dark as I had hoped. Still, fairly happy with the picture (which is a composite of over 100 pictures). Oh, and the thick stripes are clouds.
If you actually know a place in the news it makes it much more real than if it’s a place you’ve never even heard of. I’ve been to Pooley Bridge twice, among other things to go on an Ullswater Steamer cruise. While there I crossed the bridge giving the village its name a couple of times, both in the car and on foot.
Storm Desmond and the related rain has now destroyed the old bridge, built in 1764. Not to mention the flooding and misery it has brought to other parts of Cumbria. Carlisle (where I usually stay overnight on my journeys to Islay) has also been badly hit. I’m not sure of the exact area, but I believe one of the hotels where I sometimes stay is flooded as is the park where I go for my morning run.
As far as I know nobody has died and I hope it stays that way, at least people seem to be safe. Still, it will be a long hard slog for those impacted by the floods.
Went on a walk around Hosehill Lake Nature Reserve near Theale today. Weather wasn’t as sunny as I had hoped, but it was still a nice autumn afternoon with the trees in good colour. There seemed to be a lot Long Tailed Tits around, so I tried to catch a few of them on picture. Not easy as they seem to be constantly on the move. Also spotted a Peregrine Falcon on a nearby electricity pylon. Unfortunately couldn’t get close enough before it flew away again. Hope you’ll enjoy some of the pictures I took:
Went for a walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal near Theale today, between the canal and the sailing lake. Didn’t see an awful lot, the undisputed highlight was this Green Woodpecker briefly sitting on a branch in the open:
The light wasn’t great and I didn’t have enough time to put the camera on the monopod, but considering the circumstances I’m still fairly happy with the pictures.
Went to the Nature Discovery Centre at Thatcham today. Didn’t see an awful lot, mostly fairly common birds. So I decided to take a few pictures of one of them, a juvenile Black-Headed Gull:
