Friday 16 June 2017

Keswick, Derwentwater.

Derwentwater, situated at the Northern end of the Lake District National Park North West England. It sits in the valley of Borrowdale, and is inextricably linked to the market town of Keswick
Mountains rise on nearly all sides, the lower slops of which are covered in mainly Oak woods with a mix of Silver Birch (Betula pendula), Hawthorn (Cartaegus), Alder (Alnus). Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia),Hazel (Corylus avellana ), and a sprinkling of others. Some areas have been planted artificially with Spruce and Larch, and in such plantings particularly Spruce there is very little wildlife due to the fact that there is hardly any light penetration, so no undergrowth.
     The lake its self is approximately 3 miles in length by about one and a half mile wide at its widest,  and roughly just over 70 feet deep. In 1975 I swam it at its widest part, and was gearing up to attempt the length of it , when the weather changed bringing heavy rain and with it a rapid drop in water temperature.
   I've always considered it to be my favourite out of all the lakes, and it is certainly the most picturesque of the lakes.  From 1974 to 1982  I was lucky enough to live right by the shore of the lake at a place called Derwent Bay, which is on the private estate of Lingholm,(owned at the time by Lord Rochdale) near the village of Portinscale, on the west side of the lake, they are memorable years.
 
Greylag geese (Anser anser) and young.
It was an idyllic place to live, surrounded by wildlife. there are woodlands on three sides of the house, and  open views to and across the lake. From my kitchen window I could watch ducks and geese on the lake, and also shore birds, waders and wagtails. Then there was all the woodland birds, and Roe deer , Foxes, Badgers, again Fox and Roe deer regularly seen from the house, not to mention Red squirrels, as many as six different individuals coming to the feeder at my kitchen window, and a Heronry at the back  of the house.

One of the Greylag goslings
My mate Les was born at  Derwent Bay in the house I ended up living in, his Farther built a new house across the yard. We soon became friends and over the years good mates, and we very often reminisce about those years at the Bay, good years, happy times mostly.
 

All enjoying the sun.

Keeping an eye on the lake traffic.

Time for a rest.
Les hard at work, launch driving, HARD ?

51 comments:

  1. oh, goslings. HOw did so much cute get in one critter?

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    1. My sentiment exactly my friend.
      All the best, Gordon.

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  2. Hello, gorgeous shot and view of the lake. I like the cute geese. Wonderful series of photos. Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Thanks Eileen, and for your kind comments.
      Take care,have a good weekend, Gordon.

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    2. PS, thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!

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  3. Greetings, Gordon! Thanks for visiting and commenting on Lowell's Photos! I'm guessing you were in Florida recently from your header photo. We it taken in Flamingo Gardens in Davie, Florida or in the Flamingo National Park in the Everglades. Its a gorgeous shot. I've not been to England unfortunately, so I appreciate a blog like this which gives me some idea of what the countryside looks like. Best wishes to you and happy birding!

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  4. Hi Lowell, thank you for dropping by,I'm glad you found the post interesting, sometimes its mainly birds but if I can throw in a bit of scenic interest and story then I will. As regard Florida I absolutly love the place, unfortunately the last time I was there was 2015. The Osprey photo was taken down in Flamingo southern Everglades.
    Thank you and all the best, Gordon.

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  5. Fotografias fantásticas e de grande beleza.
    Obrigado pelo seu comentário.
    Um abraço.
    Autógrafos Futebol

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    1. You are welcom, and thank you for dropping by.
      Have a good weekend, Gordon.

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  6. We've seen quite a healthy brood of Greylag goslings at the little lake near us! Lovely photos of them in the most idyllic of locations. Lucky you having lived there!
    Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Its always good to see them each year Christine.
      Have a good weekend, Gordon.

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  7. Beautiful scenery Gordon. I love seeing those little goslings!

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    1. I know Lois , the camera couldn't resist them.
      Take care, Gordon.

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  8. Fabulous captures of Greylag geese.

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    1. Thank you Rajesh, always good to hear from you.

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  9. Hello Gordon, such beautiful scenery and how fortunate you were to have lived in such an idyllic spot! Cheers and have an enjoyable weekend :D)

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    1. Hi Sue, Good of you to look in, and thanks for the comment, Gordon.

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  10. Thanks for dropping by Nora, and the same to you.

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  11. Beautiful view of the lake!
    Cute little goslings!

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    1. Hello Lea, thanks for your comments, always good to hear from you. Take care, Gordon.

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    1. Thank you for saying, and for looking in, Gordon.

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  13. Long time since I was up there Gordon. It must have been a very special place to live surrounded by the peace and quiet and all that wildlife.

    You must have been a strong swimmer in your younger days - that's quite a distance in such water.

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    1. Hi Phil, I enjoyed swimming and weather wise we had a hot summer so it warmed the lake water up quite a bit.
      All the best, Gordon.

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  14. Thanks so much for sharing this with us birders this weekend, at I'd Rather B Birdin'!! I so enjoyed viewing the babies and reading your narration!! Great countryside, and awesome landscaping/water areas!!! Beautiful.

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    1. Thanks Anni, and for your kind comments.
      Hope you are enjoing your day, Gordon.

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  15. the geeze seem to like the place as well.

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    1. They certainly do, and we have three different species,more in a lare post.
      Take care, Gordon.

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  16. A cute and happy family of geese and their little ones. A lovely place for the geese.

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  17. ...Gordon, your story of living among nature is as interesting as you photos. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.

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  18. Beautiful family of Greylag Geese, wonderful.

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  19. Thank you for looking in Bob.
    Have a good week, Gordon.

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  20. Not many people get to live in such a beautiful place!

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    1. I know, and I did realise how lucky I was.
      Thanks for deopping by. Gordon.

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  21. What a beautiful place - lakes and mountains together, nothing better.

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    1. Thanks Al, it certainly and I still visit the area as often as posible.
      All the best, Gordon.

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  22. Wonderful pictures of the goose family.. Love the goslings but aren't all babies cute?

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    1. You are so right, and we very often thing why do thet have to grow up.
      Take care, Gordon.

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  23. What a wonderful place to live. The top photo is amazing.
    And also the baby geese are so cute.

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    1. Thank you again, I do appreciate your kind comments, thank you for looking in, Gordon.

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  24. I will be right there in about two and a half weeks. It would be reasonable to say I am looking forward to it!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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    1. Yes I kinda guessed from your posts you will be comming over.
      have safe journeys, Gordon.

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  25. Lovely photos Gordon. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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  26. Thank you sami, glad you liked them. Gordon.

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  27. The lake is a beautiful spot - I can imagine that you have good memories of living there!

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    1. Hi Karen, How right you are, thank you for looking in,
      Take care, Gordon.

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  28. How beautiful! I love the osprey header, too. I can't remember if I've said that before!

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    1. Thank you Jill, some one asked me a while back, "where was the photo taken ie which Flamingo.
      Thanks again, Gordon.

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  29. Your first picture gives a beautiful view of the lake to the mountains :-) Very nice are the geese emt the little ones :-) And I had to laugh very much at your remark "Read hard at work, start driving, HARD?" Hahahahahaha ....

    Best regards, Helma

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    1. Thank you Helma, good to know it put a smile on your face, and you enjoyed it.
      Take care, Gordon.

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  30. Wonderful time visiting with your friend (I was going to say old friend, but did't want that to be misconstrued ;>).... I had a great time reading each of your posts that I missed as we traveled and got back into our routine. Thanks for sharing!

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A big thank you to everyone for looking in and leaving their comments, much appreciated, Gordon.