As One Door Shuts......

 
Prior to my more liberated life style, I had for a long time dreaded the oncoming of the shorter days.

My own fault, I’m sure, but I used to feel that during the winter months, I got much deeper into a rut. Life it seemed, consisted of getting up in the dark, driving to work in the dark, sitting in my well illuminated office (thinking I was being kept in the dark), driving home in the dark and all the time waiting for the salvation of Friday night and the chance to see and feel the real world again - until - Monday morning thrust me back in the same dam rut. Leonard Cohen was a distinctly happy badger compared with yours truly at 6.30am on a damp, dark, Monday.

So, as the glorious autumn colours start to give way to bare branch and twig, how do I feel about the approaching winter, now that I have the time to witness the transformation up front and personal – so to speak - on an almost daily basis?

 

 Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula

Well, if today is to be trusted, as a reliable litmus dip into my very own boys chemistry set, then very happy indeed thank you.

 Redpoll Carduelis cabaret

As the red and golden leaves fall from the trees and the ruby berry jewels are plundered by the marauding band of Redwing pirates, the exposed branches are revealing a new and very animated set of decorations, in the form of Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Siskins and Redpolls. All of which kept me well and truly entertained in the Woodland Hide this morning as they performed their intricate little aerial acrobatics in their harvesting of Alder seeds.

 Siskin Carduelis spinus

 

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

 

The dark nights have come - but life is still bright!