Today has been a good day. I woke from a proper nights sleep. I have so few of those, and I actually felt good. I didn't even wear my cpap mask because I went straight off to sleep. Anyway, I was up and awake before 8am which on a non work day is almost unheard of. I opened the living room blinds to see a bird fly in front of me onto the trunk of a tree across the road. Camera to hand I took a few shots of a beautiful Green Woodpecker doing a traditional woodpecker pose. Quite pleased with myself with that, I waited for the engineers to turn up to replace my gas and electric meters. I wont bother you with the details of that but I now have two nice non card/key payment type ones. No more running to the non local shop to get topped up. I could see it was going to be a nice day, the sun shining and a real blue sky. I decided that today was the day I would go for a walk. That was a about 10:30. At 15:30 I managed to prise myself out of the door. Camera in hand I walked off towards the water that I have looked at daily from my window but not ventured out to. The area is know as Milton Common and is the site of what was once mudland and part known as Milton Lake. The area has been reclaimed and turned into grassland. There are three large freshwater lakes called Swan Lake, Duck Lake and Frog Lake.

When I got to the Swan Lake there was someone throwing quantities of bread into the water, which isnt ideal for any of the creatures living there but most of what was thrown in was quickly snapped up by the gulls. Once the gulls had had their fill it turned peaceful again and I took one of my first shots of the day.















A little further along I passed another photographer, we gave each other an agreeable nod as we did so. A few minutes later we found ourselves in the same spot together taking pictures that can be only described as 'one of those moments'. I think I took over 100 shots of this pair of swans with their 6, 2 day old chicks.















At one point while photographing the swans I met with some other smaller creatures. As I had knelt down I balanced myself by placing my hand down onto the grass. Good idea in theory but the nest of brown ants didnt see it that way. Three bites of the most painful sort were shared by them and it was three hours before the pain subsided.

Taking the walk a litttle further on I came to an open end to the lake. I walked up to the waters edge and stood looking. Then there right in front of me at almost arms length....




















One, two, three and then 4 Coot chicks. Mum was close by and it turned out there were 6 in total, two hiding in some long grass.

Sedge Warblers flitting about. Great tits, Greenfinches, Moorhens are just some of the other birds I got to see and hear.

There were wild flowers waiting for my keen eye to spot and capture...

Then it was time to return home.

I had a good day and the first real good day since moving to my new home. I saw lots of things I like, took a zillion or so photo's which I like doing. I got some fresh air, some sunlight into my eyes. A overall sense of wellbeing.

Today WAS a good day.