Fun Guy

My friend Robbie is always convivial and was especially so as it was his 40th birthday weekend at Brathay Hall near Ambleside.

I was quite taken by the "thorny" texture on the surface of this fungus,

and by the light dappling through the beech leaves.

The place has great views toward the Langdale Pikes.

There followed a riotous party where, I'm afraid, drink was taken. So, today we blew away the cobwebs by visiting Leighton Moss RSPB reserve. A highlight was the presence of an Osprey, of which we got distant but very clear views.

The warm weather also brought lots of dragonflies out.

I think this mating pair are Common Darters (Sympetrum striolatum).

Greenshank were among the waders present.

Towards evening, as visitors began to leave the reserve, deer emerged from the reeds to eat and drink at the waterside.