Wednesday 12 February 2014

A Landscape of Water and a Field of Hares






Will it ever end? More storms here and heavy rain - but at least we're not under water like all the poor folk in flooded areas.  In a rare moment of sunshine this week I went to have a look at one of my local rivers, the river Wid, to see if it was about to burst its banks. It was very high and flowing fast, but there was mercifully no flooding. I remember driving over an old hump back bridge over the Wid not long ago and straight into the river. Eek! The road had completely disappeared under water. When a river has burst its banks, it certainly swallows up everything around it.

I was thinking about the Wid because I've been listening to the arguments in the news about rural verses urban when it comes to flood protection. This debate has already been had here, because it's been decided that Chelmsford (England's newest city) will be protected by a flood alleviation scheme that will impact on a couple of local parishes on the Wid.  The river will be diverted from its historic flow through the parishes, new embankments will be constructed and a flood storage area created. Chelmsford has been built on three rivers and dredging in this area has not been considered an option because (among other reasons) water would then flow more quickly into the city and the water levels would be higher there.

The gatehouse at Ingatestone Hall




Anyway, wandering along part of the Wid, (which doesn't happen to be a very long river), I came across the sixteenth century Ingatestone Hall. This has been closed to visitors for winter, so I couldn't take any photos apart from the gatehouse (Ingatestone Hall may be familiar from TV and films - I know it was used as the exterior of Bleak House in the superb BBC adaptation a few years ago). I've been inside the Hall once and the features I remember most were the priest holes (the owners of Ingatestone Hall in the 1500s were Catholics).  It's clear that someone would really have to be desperate to hide in these holes.  It made me feel claustrophobic just looking at them.






The most exciting part of walking in the countryside on this day was spotting four interesting bumps in the middle of a large field.  Through the binoculars, I could see that the bumps were four Hares. I wondered if these were pairing up and if so, were they thinking of boxing? We're coming into that time of year and I'd love to see it take place - I've never seen it before. Sadly there was no boxing today; instead they seemed to be too busy enjoying the sun. They were also keeping a wary eye on me, because I was moving closer and of course each time I did, they moved further away.

But I'll be back over the next few weeks, to see if I can catch a glimpse of them boxing at last.

Something else has been keeping an eye on me, too...




I didn't see many Kestrels last year, but I've already seen a handful around here this year. I hope it's a good sign.

Back that evening to feed the animals, I've two new companions that follow me around looking to take some of the food for the Chickens and Geese.  This little Robin nips in and takes the Chicken food in a daring raid when he thinks that me (and the Chickens) aren't looking...





And this Duck has taken to following me around, too. She's very cute, half the size of the other females (and the Drake she hangs around with), but she's twice as noisy and is always at my heel letting me know she's there...





You can see how muddy it is around the Geese and Chicken houses.  Some of these squelchy holes are quite deep, too.

We've also had some lovely Swans visiting the surrounding arable fields...





I expect they're comfortable wandering everywhere at the moment, because everywhere is so wet.  I think this is a landscape for them.

62 comments:

  1. What beautiful photographs and interesting information about flood defences. I am wondering what is so colourful in the field with the swans?

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    1. I'm pleased you pointed the colours out, Freda. It made me really look at the photo again. I know the field is oilseed rape, so I imagine these are the leaves catching the sun. The contractors would usually be spraying and managing the crop, but of course it must be too wet for the vehicles to get onto the fields. That probably means that the crop and leaves aren't behaving as they should be!

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  2. So many lovely photos Wendy ! Superb quality. You must have the patience of a saint ! Do you use a long lens to get them ?

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    1. Thanks Jane. I have a bridge camera with no extra lenses, it's nice and light so I can take it with me when I go walking. It has long lens as part of the camera, though and this automatically extends when I want to take a distance shot.

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  3. So beautiful, I love the hare pictures, keep an eye on them it is so nice to see them boxing, but I think it is a bit early. The kestrel is a beauty too, how he watches you.

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    1. I think you're right Janneke. It is probably a bit early to see them boxing. I was just so excited to see so many together - it was wishful thinking! I love the Kestrels, but like all birds of prey they have such sharp eyes it's difficult to get close to them.

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  4. Wow lucky you... never seen a Hare out and about... Cx

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    1. Thanks Cass. I do see them around here, but it's always a special treat.

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  5. Wonderful pictures of wildlife but the hares have to be my favourite! Sarah x

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    1. I do love Hares, Sarah. They are one of my favourite animals, I think. If I manage to get any boxing photos I'll be really delighted!

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  6. You have some lovely walks, you see so much. Lovely photos.

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    1. Thanks Joanne. I was lucky I spotted those bumps in the field, at first I thought they were pheasants, but something made me feel that I needed to investigate further!

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  7. You have got some nice shots of the Hares Wendy, I can never get near them.

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    1. I couldn't get too close myself, Roy. They must have known I was there as soon as I entered the field. It was one of those moments when I didn't know at which point they'd start to move off.

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  8. Oh, Ingatestone Hall looks right up my street, if the gatehouse is anything to go by. Maybe this year I will get to see a hare!

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    1. It is a lovely looking house, Jessica. I will try and get some photos later in the year. Hope you get to see a Hare where you are, too!

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  9. Stunning photos as always, especially the shot of the kestrel. I enjoyed Bleak House as well, and that gatehouse looks beautiful. Glad you are staying dry.

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    1. Thanks CJ. The Kestrel tolerated me for a moment, but I wasn't allowed to get too close! I loved Bleak House - hope the BBC repeats it one day.
      Hope you avoid the floods where you are.

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  10. Fantastic to see so many hares together - we used to have a few in the fields behind us but they seem to have moved on now. Great shots of the birds - and I'm thinking the ducks don't mind this weather a bit.

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    1. That is a shame you no longer get the Hares, Elaine. Sadly our Hares have too many predators around here, so their numbers are down.
      The ducks are in their element, I think!

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  11. I am really impressed that you saw all of those wonderful hares.
    I have only seen a hare once, but it was very impressive, it was wearing a white winter coat in the Scottish Mountains.
    The ground does look really muddy, it will probably take weeks of sunshine and much better weather to dry it out.

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    1. I would love to see a Mountain Hare, Rosemary. They are such an ancient species in this country, although sadly under threat. It must have been a wonderful sight.
      I agree that the ground will take a lot of sun and weeks to dry out. I know the grass will eventually come back in the muddy areas, but right now I can't imagine when!

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  12. Beautiful pictures, you really bring the wonder of nature to our computers. I saw a sparrowhawk yesterday being attacked by two rooks. I wonder if they were protecting their nest, but surely it is too early for eggs just yet? Any ideas? xxx

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    1. That's interesting about the Rooks and the Sparrowhawk. When Buzzards are mobbed by Crows they do have a leisurely flight so that gives the Crows a chance to attack, but I always think of Sparrowhawks as dashing about. I shall read up on it all now! Thanks Fran.

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  13. Beautiful photos for a super post.So glad you have escaped the worst of the floods, I am always thankful that we live on the side of a hill. It is years since I have seen hares, I think before we moved here 23 yrs ago, will look forward to your photos of them boxing.

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    1. Yes, we've escaped here and I'm glad to hear that you have, too. I do hope I can get close enough to photograph the boxing (if I'm lucky enough to see it). I wouldn't want to disturb the Hares at all. Thanks Pauline.

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  14. Beautiful photos! Ingatestone Hall looks fascinating and oh, those hares - I love them and see them so rarely except in the pictures on the wall near my desk - I hope you get to see them boxing:)

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    1. The Tudor history of Ingatestone Hall is fascinating, Rosie. It was built and owned by Sir William Petre, a Tudor courtier who managed to have a successful career from Henry VIII to Elizabeth, even though his family were Catholics and sheltered priests.
      Seeing the Hares boxing has now become one of the things I most want to see this spring!

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  15. Your photos are so beautiful, thank you for sharing your walk with us! I hope that you get to see some boxing hares soon. xx

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    1. Hello Amy. I love river walks - even in February when they don't look their best! I'm pleased I took the chance to wander along this one for a bit before its ancient route is diverted for good.

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  16. Beautiful photos - great to see hares - you did well to get so close :) I've never seen them boxing either but there is a place quite close to where I live that I visit in March and see the occasional hare so I live in hope :)

    Pleased to hear you've escaped the worst of the flooding. Apart from winds and torrential rain and some local flooding its not been too bad here. I'm very glad we live half way up a hill!

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    1. This is the first time I've seen more than two Hares in a field, Caroline. I was thrilled to see four. But I'm fairly sure any boxing photos I manage to take will be distant ones.
      I'm glad to hear you've escaped most of the flooding, too. So far, the worst flooding in Essex has been up in the north west of the county - there's been nothing serious around here, fortunately (I'm touching wood!)

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  17. Loe the Hall gatehouse, but the hares trump them - as does the kestrel. I remember photos of hares last year on your blog, and being envious, I have only ever seen one, but that was on the Island, so perhaps there are some living up on the headland, and I might get lucky! Glad you are not flooded out, must be such a terrible worry for all those farmers with crops and livestock, so much money lost, potentially so many lives lost.

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    1. I hope you get to see the Hares near you, Janet! I haven't seen the Hares I saw last year for a few months now. They could have moved on - I've no idea how large their territory would be.
      I hope everything is well where you are - I think you got the brunt of the last storm. Keep safe! We're so lucky not to be flooded out here, but I can't imagine the farmers are happy with the state of the fields or the winter sown crops.

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  18. What a lovely collection of photos Wendy. I love seeing the hares, but I think the kestrel image is fab. How lovely to have a duck following you about. So good to hear you haven't been flooded.

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    1. I was worried about the lack of Kestrels, Suzie. But now I've seen a few this year I really hope we have a nesting pair here.
      The Duck is lucky I don't trip over her, she really does keep close. She doesn't seem at all intimidated by the Geese, either. Hope you avoid any floods, too.

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  19. Now I LOVE hares and we don't get them here so I loved seeing yours. I was lucky enough to some a pair boxing a few years ago out in a field near where we used to live...magical. And that kestrel is beautiful too. Love the little Ducky and the handsome swan- the water birds are having a great time with all this wet aren't they?

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    1. I'm really envious that you've seen Hares boxing, CT. I think it must be one of nature's highlights in the spring. If I'm lucky enough to see it this year, I might even try and film it.
      The Swans were certainly at home in the arable fields. I've never seen them there before, so it really does show how wet it is now.

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  20. Glad to read things aren't too bad for you down there. My heart goes out to all those folks that are experiencing such devastation.
    Lovely pictures - I see an occasional hare at work but like you never seen them boxing, it would be a wonderful thing too see.

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    1. I thought the areas that have flooded here in the past were bound to flood again now, Angie. But we've certainly been lucky so far. I hope the storms haven't caused any damage where you are.
      Hope you also get to see your local Hares boxing. I imagine if you see the occasional Hare, then there will be more around.

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  21. Oh...what delightful pics. I did enjoy the hares, I haven't seen any yet, wouldn't it be marvelous if you get to see them boxing. Across the road from us we have lots of them, they are making a comeback now that Altcar hare coursing has been banned.
    Awww, bless the little duck, she knows where she is well off for sure, and it's lovely to see your cheeky robins, they do have to be the boldest, or tamest birds! I love them. Wow, I love the kestrel, do you think that bird is a juvenile? what a beauty it is.
    The gateway is fab, I really wanted to go walking through it. Fab post.

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    1. That is fantastic news that your local Hares are making a come back. I hope they thrive!
      I was wondering about the Kestrel, too. I must try and ID it from the pic - it would be interesting to know more about it.
      And I was tempted to keep on walking through the gateway, too - but the owner turned up just after I took the photo, so instead I wandered away quite nonchalantly! Thanks Dina.

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  22. Hi Wendy, so sorry that it is still so rainy and stormy in your neck of the woods! I love your first photo of the hare. I have never seen one standing up like the right one. Boxing hares? I don't know what to imagine when I read that, but maybe you get a shot of it on your next walk. The gatehouse of Ingatestone Hall looks already very pretty, so, of course I would love to see Ingatestone Hall itself. Hopefully you have a chance to show some photos sooner or later on your blog. The last shot of the swan is very beautiful. They are such graceful birds. Wishing you a nice day!
    Christina

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    1. There's another storm here today so there's no end yet. The Hares will soon be 'Mad March Hares' when they chase each other around and start boxing. The boxing is said to be the female fighting off an amorous male!
      I love to see the Swans fly overhead here - they are such large birds but their flight is beautiful. I always stop what I'm doing to watch them. Thanks Christina.

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  23. While the UK has too much water, the western part of the US is in the worst drought in recorded history. Everything is so extreme. There is so little balance. Your rabbits are so big! We don't have hares in my area, just voraciously hungry cotton tailed rabbits. I'd hate to see what a hare would do to my garden!

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    1. I agree, Tammy, the extreme weather across the globe should be a concern for all of us. Investing in a better environment still isn't a priority here - and then something like this happens when whole areas are flooded. It should be a wake up call but I bet it isn't.
      The Brown Hares in the pics are very shy creatures but our Rabbits certainly aren't. I've even been weeding at one end of a veg bed when a Rabbit appeared at the other end and starting eating the veg! And they love the leaves on my roses, too, so I'm always having to think of ways of protecting them.

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  24. Gorgeous kestrel pic - really shows his colours off so well. We've not seen any hares about for ages - must head out on the Flitch Way at some stage to see if we can spot any.

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    1. Thanks Robyn. There's often a Kestrel now where I took the photo - the same one I imagine. Hopefully I'll get some more shots of it.
      Hope you get to see the Hares over on the Flitch Way!

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  25. What lovely photos. And I was looking at the picture of Ingatestone Hall and thinking I was sure I have visited it. If so, it's rather a pity that I've forgotten. But perhaps I actually saw it on TV.
    The hares look wonderfully ready to spring into life.

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    1. Hello Jenny. Ingatestone Hall has been on TV both in dramas and other programmes to do with history, music etc - so there is a good chance you've seen it there.
      The Hares were crouched in the sun when I first saw them, but you're right - they were watching me the whole time and were ready to run as soon as I got too close!

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  26. Great Hare pics Wendy and as for that Kestrel - just beautiful. I thought that Bleak House adaptation was fabulous too!

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    1. I was lucky with both the Hares and the Kestrel - I didn't have my camera ready but they all waited around long enough for me to line up some photos!
      I loved Bleak House and now I've been reminded about it again, I would like to see a repeat asap. Thanks Em.

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  27. The thought of that muddy duck following you around has cheered me up no end!

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    1. I'm pleased about that, Helen! She's still here and still noisy!

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  28. Thank you so much for this wonderful share.
    I loved each of the photos.
    Hope the rain there has been letting up.

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    1. The last two days have been much better, Willow. Some sunshine at last - so great for gardening and also for drying things out (even if it's just a little!)

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  29. Great photos. You did well to capture them so well.

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  30. I am quite relieved to see how muddy it is where you keep your poultry! Our hen run is a slippy slidy place just now although we are so high up we don't suffer from flooding. I too would love to see hares boxing. We have seen a single hare quite often up the track from here higher on the hill but never seen more than one and never seen boxing hares. That would be something very special!

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    1. This weekend we've been putting down lots of mulch around the poultry pens - the mud has just become too much! It's a hit with the hens but not with the wild ducks at the moment.
      I've seen the Hares since on another sunny day but there's still no sign of any boxing. They just seem content to crouch down in the sun. I imagine the display of mad March Hares will take place in March after all!

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