It is the first day of meteorological spring tomorrow, so I went looking for it this afternoon on the shores of Coniston.

High levels of water in the lake, low light levels and a gusty wind. Just a normal winters day in Coniston.

Even on a dark, damp day, I couldn’t resist a quick phone shot from The Terrace at Brantwood this morning.

An enjoyable walk around the Loughrigg area this morning, with coffee and cake at Chester’s of course 😊

Reform pledge to scrap the Equality act. If they do so you can be discriminated against or abused at work, in education or in the public. For Age, Disability, Gender reassignment, Marriage status, Pregnancy, Race, Religion. Sex or Sexual orientation. Doesn't sound good to me.

Some more of the many bird species seen at South Walney this morning. Redshank, merganser, turnstone and golden eye.

Canada geese on South Walney and a lapwing trying to be a Canada goose 😊

Some views across Morecambe Bay from South Walney Nature Reserve in the beautiful winter sunshine this morning.

A cold day in Coniston, but at least the snow stayed on the hills… for now.

It seems to fit 😊

All calm and peaceful beside the lake at Coniston this afternoon.

Today’s bird on the lake was the oystercatcher. Photographed on Coniston Water this afternoon.

This is fascinating. Try it.

Some of the beautiful wildfowl on Coniston Water this weekend. Red breasted mergansers, goldeneye, Canada goose and tufted duck.

Goldeneye going through their mating ritual on Coniston this afternoon.

The light was a bit flat when I was on the lake shore, so I took pictures of the wildfowl instead of landscapes. Then just as I was getting into my car, this happened. Coniston Water 4/2/26

Along the River Kent this afternoon. The snowdrops seem to like the environment of the old gunpowder works 😊

Taken this afternoon, in a brief spell without rain. The head of the lake, Coniston.

A few more pictures of Carcassonne that I took on a short but fabulous visit there last weekend.

Looking very wintery in Yewdale Woods this morning, but underneath the leaf litter, new bluebell shoots are breaking through, in readiness for spring 😊

Some views of Carcassonne from my weekend trip. More pics in the comments…

Looks like it’s still Christmas here in Carcassonne. An excellent restaurant with fantastic food.

Sometimes as the sun sets, if I look across the lake (Coniston) the forest takes on a fabulous glow. I thought I had missed this one as I scrabbled for my camera, but some of it is still there 😊

A dark, grey and still day. I took a short walk down to the lake to see if there was anything to photograph.

A dull day in Coniston today, if there can ever be such a thing 😊

@eltonchijiri.bsky.social Seeing your work made me wonder if this is one of yours?

On #fingerpost Friday, just take a moment to imaging how much work, over how many years, has gone into this little corner of Lakeland.

This mornings walk was from Wray Castle, along the western shore of Lake Windermere.

White Ghyll, also known as The White Lady, near Coniston.

Yewtree Tarn near Coniston, nicely frozen after a cold week. The sun doesn’t quite reach in there at this time of year.

After breakfast at Chester’s at Skelwith Bridge, a walk up to Elterwater. It was so busy on the return leg back down the valley.

The clear air over Coniston tonight makes it a perfect evening for photographing the first full moon of the year.

A very cold north wind blowing down the lake this morning 🥶

Kelly Hall Tarn, photographed either side of sunset. A beautiful place, just a few yards from the main road to Coniston.

A sheep at sunset. Glowing in the setting sun, this young Herdwick lives on Torver Back Common. I just walk there. 😊

The last of the 2025 sunshine in Coniston and the first of 2026, with some early arrivals on the summit of The Old Man and four more not far behind.

That is quite a menacing look I got from this swan down by the lake this morning 😳

Robin’s Robins, seen on this mornings walk around the village 😊

Cold footpaths around Tarn Hows this morning. Deserted when we arrived, car park full by the time we walked home.

On a path close to Grasmere, a beautiful piece of Lakeland slate, from Elterwater quarry I think. A shame I put my boot print on it before realising how photogenic it was 😂

This #fingerpostfriday between Grasmere and Rydal has had so much use it has almost had the names worn off!

Christmas time in Coniston.

Yesterday morning at Grasmere and Rydal, where the mist and sunshine were changing places by the minute.

Before the rain. A dark day in Coniston, with glimpses of bright sunshine creeping under the dark clouds.

All quiet in Coniston this morning and ‘normal’ levels of water in the beck, but the weather forecast suggests it could be full tomorrow morning.

It was a bit damp in Coniston yesterday! 😊

I don’t think I have contributed to #thicktrunktuesday before, but here’s one from St Tysilio’s Church on Anglesey that I just had to place here 😊

Taken from Newborough beach as they headed back to RAF Valley.

Newborough beach on Anglesey, late afternoon as the sun went down.