Audley End House and Green Woodpeckers

The snow, for the time being, has abated.  Woke to a clear but freezing cold day - literally.  Stepping outside the front door, what looked like a wet driveway was, in fact, ice!!  So very very carefully, drove off.

Went over to Audley End House and Gardens.  It was very picturesque in the sunshine.... something that's been a very scare commodity over the last few weeks... the was actually some warmth in the sun.. wonderful :D

Down on the lake a solitary Mute Swan.. normally there's a Black swan as well but no sign of it there today.

 A few Jackdaws strutted their stuff

A Mallard dived..

Eventually I found the Black Swan by itself finding grass to eat amongst gaps in the remaining snow.

Back by the lake, a myriad of avian foodsteps..

Lunch was Tomato Soup which was quite pleasant.

As I went back to the car, I noticed two Green Woodpeckers fly off.  I stood and waited for a bit and was rewarded with the sight of them when they returned.. bring a friend so now we have three to watch..

 

A rewarding end to the day...... :)