Skating on thin ice

Glorious blue sky and sunshine, so MrM and I went up to the Common this morning. He went to inspect the feeders up in the woods, while I opted to walk around the main path in search of red squirrels. Didn't realise how cold it was until we got there - ice on most of the pond, and the path was treacherous in parts. This little mallard seemed determined to walk to the small stretch of water at the far end of the pond and had great difficulty getting on to the ice from the water. But she made it in the end!

There was a very busy red squirrel in the woods by the path - it never stopped, and was obviously storing nuts away somewhere. Up to the feeder, eat a nut or two (extra), head in to the feeder for a while to fetch a few more nuts, race down the tree and long the ground to its hiding place... then repeat the exercise. Could have watched it all day!

A couple of hours working the 'yard this afternoon. Chilly, but good to be outside.