A few pictures of some young water birds today, ducklings and goslings to be precise. The ducklings are from two broods busily feeding below and in (yes, in) Aldermaston Lock on the Kennet and Avon Canal. The goslings I spotted on the River Kennet between Aldermaston Wharf and Aldermaston Village.
(click on the pictures for the larger versions)
As it was mostly cloudy today with only occasional bright moments I decided to just go on a short walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal. I still took my camera, this time with the 50mm prime lens, giving me a different challenge compared to the zooms I usually use. About a mile and a half into the walk a very heavy rain shower arrived (not forecasted when I left, but then suddenly showing on the weather app…). I decided to wait it out in the shelter of the tree, using the opportunity to try and take pictures of the rain. After about half an hour the rain stopped and for a short while there was even some bright sunshine.
(click on the pictures for the larger versions)
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.
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.
During a short walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal in Thatcham (where I also took the pictures of the tree in the evening light) I also passed a quite interesting lock. It is one of only two of this kind remaining, a turf-sided lock. It’s called Monkey Marsh Lock. Here are a few pictures of it in the September evening sun:
Most of the locks on the canal have been replaced with stone or brick sided locks, like the one I live close to.