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It has been an interesting couple of days here in Loweswater.

We haven't had as much snow here on the west coast, compared to the Scotland, the Pennines and the eastern side of Britain.

It has been sub-zero however and that has brought its own delights.

First a picture from my neighbour up the hill of a Tawny Owl sitting on a post in the newly planted tree field.

He'd seen a local Barn owl up there occasionally and was delighted with this special find.

This is what he was keeping an eye out for . . . the visiting Barn Owl.

He doesn't roost at Martin and Shelagh's house but does visit occasionally.

What a lovely couple of photos.

- - - o o o - - -

Here the weather this second week of February has been better than some, in that we haven't had the disruptive snow that others have received.

On Friday I head out for a walk to the lake, meeting a neighbour Joan and her dog Max along the way.

Joan and I had planned more or less the same dog walk and so we both ended up down at Crummock Water.

The air temperature is below freezing and in the last few days the wind has got up

so the waves are splashing against the concrete wall.

The water has frozen on the path so conditions were tricky for getting across without falling over or getting wet.

Full marks for waterproof boots.

The spray has also settled on the vegetation, where it has immediately frozen.

The ice on the bushes reflect the height of the spray from the waves behind.

It has been quite three years since I've seen this phenomena down here at the lake.

- - - o o o - - -

Saturday morning I ventured out again, this time approaching via Lanthwaite Woods and the weir.

More frozen spray on the overflow channel and the trees alongside.

Such delightful effects as the cold water chills further and settles on already sub-zero plants.

The 'centre of interest' at the weir is totally different today.

Walking the path, towards the bridge over Park Beck.

The same place but taken from a low angle.

Suddenly the reality of the grass also becomes evident as each blade is also frozen with ice.

One can spend many a happy hour looking for shapes in the ice sculptures.

Spot the flying bird at the front and the walking spaceman to the right.

Around the corner to the Pump House . . . but my way is almost blocked.

Walking the path it has to be, as the wall top is covered and sliding off this would find me in the water !

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The reed like grasses next to the pond had coalesced into one gigantic lump of ice.

I had a fiddle with the colours to try and increase the definition . . . hold your cursor over the picture to see the artistic effect.

Without spikes I think the crossing today would be unwise . . . the dog agrees !

Time to head home.

Joan had also visited the same place herself today . . . it seems she had chosen a better time with more light.

The second day and Joan's picture shows that the stronger wind has sent the ice further across the marsh.

Walking the long way around, we're now near the Pump House, where Dougal was pictured yesterday.

The ice is still thick on the path to the weir at the foot of Crummock Water.

Most of the ice has gone from the weir and iron work.

Loes crossing the first bridge.	Looking down on the fast flowing fish ladders.

The natural ice sculptures are thawing fast today.

This was the fir tree yesterday . . .	. . . today it has lost most of its ice.

- - - o o o - - -

On the way home we spotted a Kestrel flying near my garden.

It landed in the big oak alongside the road.