lesley-jane

Connor Coot

CHAPTER ONE “Oooh! What’s going on out there?” chirped Connor Coot, peeping out from under his mother. He was in the fluffy cosy nest his parents had made from soft dried grass, feathers and reeds. “It all looks SO exciting!” “Behave yourself Connor” Mother Coot said. “It’s best if you just sit still until yourContinue reading “Connor Coot”

Living aboard in Portsmouth Harbour – October

I can hardly believe that we have already been here for 4 weeks! In some ways it is strange to be here – the choppy sea instead of the calm river; the gulls and fish instead of the coots and herons; the warships, ferries and yachts instead of the narrow boats, barges and sculls. ButContinue reading “Living aboard in Portsmouth Harbour – October”

Calliope goes to sea

Our voyage from the Thames to Portsmouth Harbour [There are far too many good blogs about barges and their voyages for me to compete, so this is just a snippety illustrated version of our (very exciting for us) journey.] . September 22 : last night on the non-tidal Thames Our last night, forContinue reading “Calliope goes to sea”

Coot Scoop

Unique photos of newly hatched coot chicks at Shiplake Lock A serenely serendipitous situation; we had just tied up at the lay-by for Shiplake lock, and were obviously in for a bit of a wait, so catching sight of yet another pair of coots building a nest just a few yards from the lay-by I pickedContinue reading “Coot Scoop”

There once were some ugly ducklings ….

…. with feathers all stubby and brown But, and sorry to use such a trite word, they are so cute! They are amazingly fluffy with their baby down, not yet able to shed water as they will do from their future feathers. We have been lucky enough to see them at many stages of growth,Continue reading “There once were some ugly ducklings ….”

These East End Coots Are Something Else!!

(First of all an apology – I thought the photos were better than they are!) For all those planning to get to more familiar with coots and their family habits, forget my Amazonian activities upstream. There is no need to swing through branches, plunge into water and spend hours quietly crouched on tree roots.Continue reading “These East End Coots Are Something Else!!”

The Great Coot Exploration

My strategy for enjoying the Thames this summer did not include coots, but I have become ridiculously absorbed and fascinated by these cute feisty birds. It began a few months ago as I noticed them building their nests, working in pairs to make a safe haven for their eggs and their young. CapturingContinue reading “The Great Coot Exploration”

Calliope Moments from Oxford to Brentford and one point North

It began in a snowstorm in Biddulph – …. where we had our first night aboard and aground in our new home. Before too long Special Delivery provided a splashdown for Calliope at Reading and we took charge! Life at the Marina was crowded, but fun, with Spring sunshine making a reluctant appearance on daysContinue reading “Calliope Moments from Oxford to Brentford and one point North”

Eventide at Wargrave Marsh

Found an unexpected, calm, mooring last night – Wargrave Marsh. Calliope is not listing to starboard – but the photographer may be! We were joined, cross stream, by a hunting heron. As the sun set a bedazzled goose came hopefully by. And the light graded gently through rainbow gold …. to pastel pinks, greys and blues. AContinue reading “Eventide at Wargrave Marsh”

Reflecting on the Thames

Quite often the surface of the river is silky smooth and the reflections are better than the real scenery I am amongst. How about the above, today at Goring …. a true reflection, no trickery and just a simple Canon camera? And the larger view below, out across the river, with reflection on both sides.Continue reading “Reflecting on the Thames”