Monday 11 January 2010

Snow and ice on the River Almond

On Saturday we caught a bus to Cramond. The light was wonderful on the estuary where the River Almond meets the River Forth. There were lots of birds, including swans, dabchicks, mallards, tufted ducks, goldeneye, red breasted mergansers, lapwing and ringed plovers. (Click on the birds names to find out more about them!).

After a hot drink in the cafe we walked upriver into an amazing winter wonderland. The river is partially frozen (though this isn't ice you can walk on at all!). There was a very large group of mallards who looked as though they were enjoying slalom-ing between the icy rocks. The riverbanks were covered in icicles, which were so magnificent they deserve a post to themselves, so come back tomorrow to see them!

Things are thawing now, though more snow is forecast!

16 comments:

Forthvalley scribe said...

We had dabchicks too, first time ever, and a yellowhammer in the garden!

Jasmine said...

Lovely pictures. Definately worth the bus ride :)

Dave King said...

Superb! I must get out more!

steven said...

gorgeous! i love the scenes you share here. i'm looking forward to the icicles! steven

Golden West said...

It's been quite an incredible winter thus far and we're not even a whole month into it yet!

Crafty Green Poet said...

Elizabeth - a yellowhammer in the garden - wow! I saw one once at the park and Ride near Heriot Watt!

Jasmine - definitely....

Dave - its so lovely out there,

Steven - thanks!

Golden West - indeed!

apprentice said...

Lovely list of birds -plovers especially, they are one of my fav. birds.

Was the waterfall frozen? I have memories of it being a curtain of ice in the winter of 81.

Deb G said...

So beautiful! Is it difficult to get to places like that in your area by bus? It will be a long time I think before any type of wilderness area is accessible by bus in my corner of the world. :(

Crafty Green Poet said...

Deb - Edinburgh is lucky to have places like this just on the outskirts of town and yes its easy to get there by bus!

Dianne said...

fantastic world we see more deeply after change

thanks for your comment! and your wor!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Love dabchicks - we do get them on the pools around here - they are such natty little birds. Your pictures look so wintry. It is snowing here again at present and very cold, although some kind of minor thaw seems to have set in.

Titus said...

Super pictures, I love the sense of space in the first.
Slight thaw here too today, snow forecast for us Wednesday!

PurestGreen said...

I love Crammond! Beautiful shot. Do you have advice on the best time of year to visit the nature reserve at Aberlady Bay?

RG said...

Just the way I like my winter! On someone elses blog!

Enjoy it for us here too!

SzélsőFa said...

wow, what a great day you had!
thank you for your kind comment on my entry!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Hi Juliet. Here is the link for making the drawstring bag:

http://happythings.typepad.com/happythings/2006/04/dsb_301_better_.html

Do hope you enjoy making it, the instructions are very clear and concise.fooky