Squirrel silhouettes

Tonight as the sun was disappearing I stood at our window watching a couple of grey squirrels playing chase through the trees

7-30am

First snow of this season, I'd forgotten how quiet snow is, Sun hadn't risen at this point but I'd been awake for 2 hours lying in bed listening to the silence!

 totally pristine snow but not for long

I'm off for a walk!

 but you will have to visit beyond my garden gate blog to view today's sunrise!

Pheasant Shoot

Not too many years ago we used to have the shoot on the Common every year, but nowadays the only pheasant shooting done is with the camera and this morning we enjoyed a visit from Percy. Any pheasant visiting our garden is called Percy after our first regular pheasant visitor which was named Percy by our then young children!
This is our current Percy which, as I am writing this, is still eating the dropped seeds under our feeders.

Isn't he magnificent

Such stunning plumage

It's Hoar frost time again!

What a beautiful frosty morning today - A hint of what is to come!

Off to roost

Loved the way the sunset lit up these flocks of Gulls flying back to their evening roost.

We enjoyed yet another dramatic sunset tonight. had to share it with you!

First and last cut of the year.

Every year after the cattle have been removed from the Common, the tractor comes down and gives it a good cut ! This morning the tractor arrived!
Last year they only cut half of it, so it will be interesting to see how much is cut this year.
A few years ago the tractor got stuck in the mud and another one had to come down to pull it out, We have just returned from a week away in Scotland so I am not sure how much rain we had but I don't think it is that wet this year!

I do like to see the common being cut as it means we should be able to see the hares and other wildlife easier!