Taking to the water

Still a full day behind …..

Our final morning in the Holmfirth area takes us on a walk by the Holme River near our lunchtime destination on Devour - an Italian style eatery in a converted wood turning mill and dye house. 

I’ve little energy today, so I’m quite happy to sit by the river while the others go for a longer walk. It’s beautiful, with bees and butterflies flying around the vegetation edging the waters; I’m delighted to see them but have little success in photographing anything other than a rather ragged speckled wood that rests on the muddy bank. 

Then suddenly there’s a movement far back on the river bank and I see a mallard mum with a late brood of tiny ducklings - fluffy bright-eyed bundles of cuteness. She ushers them out along the dry flat areas of the river edges, leading them towards the cool water. Eventually they join her in the still shallows, bobbing along excitedly, seemingly feeding off small grubs or vegetation on the rocks. 

Gradually, they gain in confidence and mum leads them into the faster flows of the river. Together they head down the mini-rapids, further down the river and out of sight. Having somehow missed the springtime ducklings, I’ve found this sighting such a treat.

Lunch by the river is delightful, and then it’s time for home. We need to leave as G has an evening rehearsal, but it’s been a really lovely few days.

So now we’re home, and - in my case - completely exhausted, so it’s going to be a very quiet few days ….. 

Inevitably, my duckling encounter has resulted in a plethora of shots, many of which are quickly binned. Still, I find it hard to choose a main - solo duckling…. group of ducklings…. ducklings with mum…. ducklings on land…. ducklings on water? So again it’s very much a set  - a random main (better viewed large) with extras. I really wish I could be more decisive! 

Thanks so much for the comments, stars and hearts for yesterday’s keyhole image. G’s delighted to think he could be in a James Bond movie (though I don’t think he’s realised he’d probably be the villain), less thrilled about him looking like a feature in a horror film poster!