Taking a left.
That's what we did this week on a trip to the Lea Valley.
After scanning Great Hardmead Lake for birds and heading up the Walkway,
After scanning Great Hardmead Lake for birds and heading up the Walkway,
instead of following our usual walk,
we turned left and followed a circular route back to our starting point.
Mr Swan was there on the River Lea Navigation to see us on our way.
When he raises his wings above his body like that he's proclaiming that this is his territory.
It's a display known as "busking" and must be the most beautiful form of threatening
behaviour ever invented!
The Bittern Pool was as free of Bitterns as usual.
Tumbling Bay, where we didn't tumble in, thankfully.
An early bee!
Crossing the River Ash footbridge.
Believe it or not, a railway used to run through here.
A little further along getting near to The Dairy Farm.
The willow trees look grand at this time of year.
Passing through Watersplace Farm.
Splendid isolation.
More of the same!
When you walk in the Hertfordshire countryside
it's sometimes hard to believe that this is a very densely populated county.
(731 people per Km² - but not this square kilometer obviously!)
Following Wood Lane back to the start of our walk.
"Did you have a nice walk?"
Take care.
It is always so good to see the different counties of this country, and those gorgeous old houses that sit so primly, and alone, in the countryside.
ReplyDeleteI had not known that the term "busking" denoted a swan's threat display. I wonder if the street music known as busking has any connection. I tried to think of one and came up empty, and the swan in question is, after all, a Mute Swan!
ReplyDeleteThat sent me on a long search for an answer. "Busking" it turns out was used to describe pirate ships when they were cruising around looking for ships to raid. That (kind of) explains the link to swans when they are moving around in a threatening way. Maybe the musicians are also like pirates in that they are cruising around looking for riches?
DeleteThat swan may have folded his wings back to where they should be but I bet he was half waiting for your return - to make sure you weren't 'up to no good. I wonder if Mrs Swan is already sitting on eggs - or is it a bit too early for her?
ReplyDeleteYes, a bit too early. April and May are the usual months for nesting.
DeleteSorry John - anon above is of course Weaver
ReplyDeleteQue bello está el estanque y la Naturaleza, que hay en tu país. con tan buenos alicientes, entran ganas de pasear por ahí.
ReplyDeleteThere were heavy clouds on your walk. Did you get rained on? Looks like you made the right (left) choice on your walk.
ReplyDeleteSwans are very large beautiful birds. Don't mess with them.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to see those buds opening on that bee photo! We may have some snow tomorrow but Spring is on its way!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful walk and wonderful sights there. I love that you saw the swan when you were leaving and it so politely asked if you had a nice walk. Why, yes, we did, thank you very much!
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful stroll through the countryside and some wonderful sightings. Yes, I did enjoy the walk, thanks, John.
ReplyDeleteWonderful walk it must have been!Amazing that it was a train in there before in old time !I adore English landscape and style.Beautiful male mute swan!It is his place you know heh heh :)))
ReplyDeleteThat shot of the swan is gorgeous, John. I love the walks that you take us on.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a beautiful stroll around the area. Beautiful sceneries
ReplyDeleteBeautiful countryside views.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting walk up the Lea Valley..a name I associate with the biggest and most diverse in plants and nationalities allotment gardens in Britain, and the Eastway cycling road circuit...both successful and now both gone, described as "derelict land" by those who planned the Olympic Park...
ReplyDeleteThe sq km population of Australia is 9!! And I. Western Australia our swans are black with red beaks….. thank you for another lovely walk. Tink
ReplyDeleteIt always amazes me that such small streams, busy American standards, are called rivers. But they are so picturesque! I think your thinking about busking is correct, by the way. Makes sense to me anyway. I enjoyed this walk, John. Here's to many more!
ReplyDeleteHi John - that's lovely - we do have gorgeous countryside ... and I see catkins ... take a left - perhaps next time you'll take a right and give us the views from the opposite direction - not much difference I expect. Poor Mr Bee - bet his feet be cold right now - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI most certainly did! I wish we could have walked further.
ReplyDeleteYes, I did have a lovely walk, John, especially since as I was looking at these lovely images, there is a snow storm happening outside my window.
ReplyDeleteSplendid isolation for sure. I never tire of looking at your beautiful farms and countryside!
ReplyDeleteYou sure did have a nice walk taking fabulouphotos. You two must be very fit.
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see spring slowly approaching, your photos show definite signs of more soft green and yellow. We'll overlook the snow forecast for this week!
ReplyDeleteYes, Mr. Swan, it was a lovely walk, and John is ever gracious to take us all along! The strange thing is that no matter how far his rambles take us, I am never tired afterwards!
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful walk in the countryside! It's nice to see that spring is coming.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you took a left and shared your photos of what looks like a lovely walk:)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness what a beautiful walk!
ReplyDeleteI do have some nice walks but I miss the Greensand Ridge walk from when I lived in Leighton Buzzard, it's a long one, separated into four sections, and it passes through beautiful woods/countryside and views.
ReplyDeleteAre you doing ok? You've disappeared on us again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for enquiring about my health; I've had a minor problem though it's mostly the weather that's kept me grounded recently. I hope I'll be back soon.
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