Ham Wall in Autumn
Just before we jump into the cold of winter I have put together some of my recent pictures taken around Loxton Marsh that do not have starlings in them.
The main railway line track cuts down the centre of the reserve. I walked, and cycled, up and down this track so many times that it is easy to forget how valuable it is.
Autumn Light
Last year I stood here to watch the starlings. Soft autumn light and the colours on the overhanging oak tree fill the time. Hopefully, a family of long-tailed tits will amble pass.
I tend to take too many backlight pictures. But when the low sun creates these colours who could stop pressing the shutter.
This oak grows on the track leading into Loxtons Marsh. Its branches create a small window through to the neighbouring Waltons Heath.
Red admirals can be seen on a mild day at any time of year.
Sometimes a rainbow can just appear – I never noticed any rain.
The low light can make the colours of reeds glow.
The starlings normally arrive just after the sun has set. Plenty of opportunities to photograph the last few rays.
The line of trees that separates Loxtons Marsh from Waltons Heath creates a net curtain through the reserve.
Early in the season there may be enough evening light after the starlings have dropped to catch a beautiful reflections on the way back to the car park.
Sometimes I loose track of time and remain deep in the reserve until its dark. It is easy to forget what time it is when there is a sky like this to look at and the noise of the starlings to listen to.
Next Day
It starts all over again as the sun rises over the lagoon. The starlings have already left the roost to spend the day on farmland and in gardens.