Geese

My computer is a bit glitchy today so I turn quickly to some recent photographs of geese.  Here are a pair of greylag (ancestors to most domestic geese) surveying their domain. 

Meanwhile the Canada Geese are prowling along the expanding edge of the lake

while keeping an eye out for the local humans who often appear with some easy eating.  I think they might be disappointed 

because nobody will be sitting on this green lakeside seat.  Its rather ironic that boating on the park lake was cancelled in the summer

 and the boathouse closed because of low water levels however in the springtime

 I was amused at this group of five children on a pedalo who were not shelling out for two boats when they could cram onto one.   No need to guess where the weight is concentrated and the life jackets in the back might come in handy.  

An entry to ABC Wednesday, a journey through the alphabet, this week sojourning at the letter G here

j

Fairy Steps

A path that has been trodden for hundreds of years passes through this limestone fisure known as the Fairy Steps.

The legend is that if you can climb the steps without touching the sides then you will see a fairy and they may if asked grant a wish (although I would be wary as fairies are notoriously tricksy). I think only a fairy would be able flutter up here and accomplish this task as not only does it narrow in there is also a high step in the middle that requires leverage unless one has extra long legs. In past times this was the old coffin route between Arnside and Beetham and the iron rings through which ropes were threaded to haul the coffin up are still visible.  There are many coffin or corpse routes throughout Cumbria as although there were many churches in remote areas only certain ones (the mother church) held burial rights so the corpse had to be transported, sometimes long distances across wild country, and of course they all have legends of fairy folk or devils associated with them.  From Arnside to Beetham I would guess the distance would be about five miles and it is wooded and not  particularly wild or exposed (depending on the season)  but manoeuvring a coffin would certainly slow one down. Apart from not touching the sides of the Fairy Steps it is said that if you have the second sight then you will be able to see them.

Fairies looking through a Gothic Arch (1864) by John 'Fairy' Fitzgerald

An entry to ABC Wednesday, a journey through the alphabet, this week sojourning at F here 

     

Excavation

As the saying goes - I love work and could sit and watch it all day - or in my case take a photograph.  Highway Maintenance are on the corner of one of the narrow streets of Broughton in Furness and begin to dig off the surface to excavate the road. Of course there is the obligatory

huddle to discuss the job in hand or perhaps the latest gossip.  But no, roll of drums and dramatic music,

here comes an elephantine earthmover.

An entry to ABC Wednesday, a journey through the alphabet, this week sojourning at E here 

Duck Dabblers

The Open Eye Gallery displays photography on the Liverpool Waterfront but when passing by last year, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted giant ducks in the entrance hall and of course I had to have a closer look.  There were a couple of people busy painting what I suppose you could only float in a giant bath.  They were intended for a Duck Trail across the city and themed on the history and sights of Liverpool.  As can be guessed from the horsey eyes this one is the Aintree Race Course, and the jockey silks are on its chest 

Taking a break to have a chat with his companion who is painting one on a more nautical theme

The eyes show a ship's captain and even little ducks get a look in.  The Duck Trail was part of the Cunard Liners 175th Birthday Celebrations which took place last year so I imagine this one would not move far from here to waddle by the liner terminal or perhaps outside the old Cunard Bulding.

This one with a parrot was a bit of an enigma as my first thought was, pirate, but then it has three stripes and a collar and tie.  A browse around the internet found it as Airport Duck and it will eventually have an airstrip tongue and wide open eyes (the latter a must for any airline pilot I hope).  The two ducks in the background are still waiting for their makeover.

An entry to ABC Wednesday, a journey through the alphabet, this week sojourning at D here