Helsby Hill

The sun is blazing hot so a walk round Helsby Hill, which is mostly under cover in forests. Lovely and cool.

Helsby Hill elevation

Helsby Hill route

Fields and trees

Hazy hills behind wildflower meadow

Flowers

Shadowy woods leading out to the sun

Gill and cows

Flowers

View from war memorial

Sandstone

Lush trees in the sun

Helsby Hill

View from Helsby Hill

Skulking rabbit

Buzzard being bothered by Crow

Buzzard

John looking out at north Wales

Ambleside

A rest day and some shopping around Ambleside. As usual a detour through the Apple Pie Eating House and a picnic lunch in the park. Also as usual we were attended by bold Robins and shifty Crows.

Our Robin chum

Robin

Carrion Crow investigating the table

Carrion Crow and Crumbs

Carrion Crow keeping an eye out for suspicious picnickers with cameras

Formby & Crosby

We headed up to Formby to see how the Squirrels are doing these days. We expected a struggle to see any but we had one pointed out in a feeding station before we'd even passed through the gate. We saw many red (and almost black) squirrels, although mostly at a distance and in the gloom under the canopy. Most of the shots are from one area that had less canopy cover. A tripod will be useful next time, holding heavy lenses is tricky when you're pointing straight up.

Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

 There were also some birds around, making the most of the nuts, including a pair of Jays although they were more wary than the squirrels.

Magpie

Woodpigeon

Magpie

Carrion Crow

Walkers on Formby beach

As there was some time left before having to go home we called in at Anthony Gormley's Other Place. There were lots of waders out by the shore but as we didn't have any wellies with us we had to make do with the statues.

Other Place

Other Place

Organic and Inorganic paddlers

Another Place

Another Place