Rosamund

Panoramas from our few days of deep freeze: Loweswater valley, Melbreak from Ladd How and dawn from the garden in my bedroom slippers!

The call of the Wild  Today, 21st April, the feast day of Saint Beuno, the patron saint of curlews, is "World Curlew Day" which celebrates these iconic sickle-billed wading birds, their grace and shape,  otherworldly and deeply haunting call, and role as faithful partners and exemplary parents - we watched curlew parents scare off a golden eagle from their nest in Scotland. It serves to raise awareness of their plight, their dramatic (50%) decline in our nature-unconsidered, man-land-scapes, and to encourage and celebrate groups who strive to help curlews to recover and thrive by spotting, monitoring and protecting nesting sites and chicks, working closely with supportive farmers and landowners. We act as photographers for a very proactive and enthusiastic group of a hundred odd volunteers and farmers in NW Lake District - "Melbreak Curlew Recovery Project" (check out Melbreak Communities website). Here, a few of our photos from last year, and if you have 90 seconds to spare, a short video diary of a curlew year, from wintering on Cumbrian coasts, arriving back to their inland pastures, there to nest and raise young [Rotate to landscape for full show]. The song, 'Curlew' from "The Spell Songs: Let the Light in" (@lwspellsongs ) with Rachel Newton's ethereal vocals (@rachelnewtonmusic ), together with snippets of curlew calls from Xeno-Canto, hopefully help capture the magic of these birds. We much look forward to early May, when "The Book of Birds" is published, and where curlew, along with many other of our endangered birds, will be celebrated in exquisite paint, poetry and prose by @jackiemorrisartist and @robgmacfarlane . What bird brightens your blues and sparkles your spirit? #curlew, #birdsphotography

“Underland” – the film Dramatic in sight, sound and spirit - challenging to the senses - thoughtful, scary and deeply affecting - this film had the UK Premiere at the Barbican Cinema, London on Tuesday. We were so impressed that we just had time to jump off the train at Penrith, North Lakes, the following evening, to see it again at its first Northern showing on the giant screen at Rheged. The UK premiere was followed by a fascinating Q and A with the director Rob Petit (@robmilkwood ), Hannah Peel the composer of the magical music (@hannahpeelmusic ), Rob Macfarlane author (@robgmacfarlane ), and producer, Lauren Greenwood (@planetoctopusstudios ). What does it feel like to be deep down? I found I was reflecting on how one’s senses must adapt to being deep down, squeezed tight by rock, in the dark, sound deadened, scents and smells unknown, limbs visible only to proprioception, mind scrambling from panic. Have you experienced it or do you relish caving? Having seen the film and read the book, I think I might vote for the old sailors’ custom of last stitch through nose. My experience of underland is (fortunately) limited. Two working coal face trips down deep mines that  I organised for trainees when a young lung physician in the 1970s. I remember the sensory overload -the stomach rattling clatter of the fast falling cage, the hum and howl of the downcast ventilators, the dust dancing dense in the head torch, the taste as it entered lung and throat, coated nostrils, the terrifying tearing  as the traversing cutter ripped rock from face just in front , and crash and shudder as roof collapsed just behind as we crawled along the advancing hydraulic prop cage. A very different experience when R (@rosmacf ) and I explored an ice cave under the Jokulsarlon Glacier before the days that ice cave tours became regulated and so popular. A magical experience – a few of our photos attached. That ice, that light! “Underland” the Film is now on general UK cinema release by Dogwoof, as is Hannah Peel’s extraordinary music on Bandcamp, so perhaps seek them out.

Colour on the water With good weather this last weekend and spring equinox arrived, we headed a few miles over the Honister pass in search of dippers, those underwater wild swimming specialists. We saw a couple but at distance, so we headed to quiet, infrequently visited and tree shaded river banks, away from the popular track. What a reward! Firstly two amorous Mandarin Drakes in full theatrical costumes escorting a female dressed in soft greys . One image shows a spray of water, as the female flew off in a flurry, escaping a drake's attention. Mandarin ducks are native to China and Asia, but became feral in UK in 20th century, after escaping from country parks. They are shy in the wild and prefer quiet vegetation lined waterways where, unusually for ducks, they nest in trees. In Chinese and Japanese culture they are said to be symbols of love, fidelity and marital bliss - and presumably snappy dressers! Have you seen them local to you? Then we saw a stately Goosander Drake cruising the current in his penguin bib and tucker, as two females ignored him and fished, with first head under water then the dive. The river water was so clear, you could watch them hunting under the surface. On surfacing the head feathers was slicked back Brylcream shiny, before a flick of head to reveal the spikey Mohecan crest. We hope you enjoy the images! A favourite? A great start to solstice for us, perhaps less good the masses of cars, random roadside parking and 63 camper vans passed on our short drive home. Spring has come to the Lake District!

The tower, the bullfinch and the stoat We call it the ebony tower. It is a 6 foot high trunk of pine, the bottom part  has a girth of 44 inches and is perfectly round, smooth and bark-less. The rest is scarred, shaped and tattooed black, eaten away to a point by fire, like a defensive stake at Agincourt. We found it floating in the lake. It stands tall in our garden, with mountains behind. We put bird seed on the top. Last week, a bullfinch flew in, our first this year, to enjoy the sunflower seeds. His shape fitted that 'bullish' description of 'neckless rotundity'. He was nattily dressed but a messy eater! Suddenly a stoat appeared, raced up the tower, the bullfinch flew off. Disappointed, the stoat clambered down and skipped off. Have you seen a stoat in ermine? We haven't, except as neck candy in the House of Lords, but it is one of those animals who can change it's coat to a winter white.  In the UK, this also includes snow hares and ptarmigan (some of our Scottish images included). The lack of snow in recent times can put them, with their snow white camouflage, at a disadvantage.

Monthly preyers Each autumn we produce a personal calendar of our photographic images for our family and friends – featuring a theme such as travel, landscape or nature (@johntmacfarlane ; @rosmacf ). For 2026, for our fourth British Wildlife offering, we chose BRITISH BIRDS of PREY, featuring some of our favourite raptor and owl images. As usual, we got some extra printed and they were sold at our Loweswater Village Hall ‘fund-raising coffee and cake’ morning in November at a ‘retail’ price of £12, making a good amount of money for the hall (which incidentally is a fantastic venue for an event, with indoor and outdoor space and a second-to-none view down Crummock valley).  They are now for sale in our wonderful, local LORTON VILLAGE SHOP run by Lee (in the first image) and Arwen (@lortonvillageshop ). The shop provides a fantastic service to both locals and visitors and supports over 90 local products (think “butcher, baker, candle(stick) maker”,  plus vegetables, bread, milk, eggs, cheese, ethically produced supplies and so much more), as well as art, crafts and gifts. The coffee, cakes and ice cream are great too! So, do support a great independent village shop, pop in and have a look around (small in space: huge in opportunities) and perhaps take a look at our calendar (they have other local calendars, and cards too). The shop is selling them at £12 of which £1 will go to the Cumbria Wildlife Trust. If you can’t call in, DM Arwen at the shop (@lortonvillageshop ) to discuss options (not us as we have none left!).

The Macfarlane calendars are here! We're incredibly lucky to have John and Rosamund Macfarlane, two talented wildlife photographers, in the valley. Their stunning Birds of Prey calendars for 2026 are here in the shop, and my word, the images are breathtaking. We have been known to post these out to people who live a long way away and can't get here physically, so the best way for that to happen is to email us [email protected] Otherwise, pop in and get one for a mere £12! @johntmacfarlane @rosmacf #2026calendar #wildlifephotography #localtalent #supportartists #shopsmall #shoplocal #britishbirdsofprey #lakedistrictnationalpark

Please consider purchasing a calendar or a diary (or both!) for 2026 to support the John Muir Trust, available from . J and I have a diary page each and are very pleased to have had our pictures selected by John Beatty, such an accomplished photographer himself, and to be in the company of some august photographers. These are quality products and by buying them you are supporting the preservation of wild places, as well as learning fascinating information about them. The wild landscapes of Britain are impacted everywhere by human occupation, overgrazing and blanket forestry, and need whatever help you feel able to give them. Thank you.

Return to the Women’s Stones At 870 metres, the remote torrs of Clach Bhan (“The Women’s Stones”) which sit like epaulettes on the shoulder of mighty Ben Avon (1171m) have been a place of pilgrimage for hundreds of years for local pregnant ladies who, by foot or pack pony, would visit to sit in the pothole waters hoping for a safe and less painful childbirth. A strange surprise birthday ‘treat’ for R perhaps as we cycled, on hired e mountain bikes, the near 40 km up and back the seldom visited ‘private’ Glen Avon, past locked gates and Inchory shooting lodge, to leave the bikes hidden in heather for the 7 km steep circuit up to the stones. We last visited Clach Bhan together on a snowy day in May 1976, R (@rosmacf ) well over mid term carrying our first son, R, safe inside, though some weeks after her bum dunk, the legend did not deliver its promise. The unique landscapes on Ben Avon have developed on 400 million year old extruded granite eroded by the grind of glacier, the scour of gale and the crack of ice. The granite is a coarse-grained amalgam of feldspar, mica and quartz, harsh on the hands but crumbling into sparkly gravel which driven by wind, water and freeze grinds out deep potholes. Thanks to Emma of #bikeglenlivet for excellent service and help. Grousing about butts Our ascent of the stalkers path passed grouse butt through sharp heather skeletons from muirburn and the occasional croak of grouse. But our main grouse was about the extreme discomfort of butt on saddle. Who designed saddles? The devil?  Ouch,  Ouch!!

Rivering A while ago we showed some images of "Is A River Alive" by Robert Macfarlane (@robgmacfarlane , @penguinrandomhouse ) ducking and diving with us in Lake District mountain becks. Here a few from 'The Express Train', of the River Avon in the Cairngorms (see post just before this for context on @johntmacfarlane ) where IaRA swam with us (and nearly went solo off down the rapids and away to the Spey and the Sea). River's Coat of many Colours seems to swirl with the sastrugi of the subscape and the scribbles of sun on stone, and to fit with the hauntingly beautiful voice of Julie Fowlis (@juliefowlis ). Which one appeals to you, if any? (We have to say this cover from IaRA is fairly rivered now and a trifle soggy! ).

I was very proud to be asked to contribute to this book, in the company of others passionate about our ever diminishing British wildlife. With unprecedented population growth, wildlife is pushed into pockets of ever-decreasing habitats. Our mission is to help fund projects that aid the restoration of environs which foster wildlife and increase bio-diversity throughout the British Isles through sale of this book. Green spaces can be recreated to increase shelter, food and plant diversity to attract and sustain wildlife from insect to birds and mammals. These newly restored habitats may benefit all when sustainably managed and can work as cultivated landscapes in food production or shared recreational areas. The book is sold as a wholesale business item but all revenue will then be collected to support grass-roots re-wilding projects in the United Kingdom. All donations will be directly forwarded to projects that have been vetted on the ground, cutting out middle-men and reducing overheads to a minimum. We will keep full transparency as to the destinations of raised funds. We hope to channel talent and passion while fostering conversation in our quest to make our world wilder. If you feel you would like to pledge for kickstarting this book, it would be wonderful. A great present for yourself or someone else. The fabulous cover photograph was taken by Neil McIntyre @neilmcintyre3151  /projects/wilderbritain/coffee-table-book-of-wildlife-images-extraordinaire?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacrs2gl2kFlTlfTU9DaBmDE4JWVDYRX8lL8Jg6hPP-M5RRw8ODTj1OEXKzqbg_aem_LQD06Hov9zHgSZ36ohLZlw

LIVE STREAMING We have had fun this week introducing "Is A River Alive" (@robgmacfarlane ) to some offspring who are born round here in the Lake District and grow strong as they flow into the beautiful Crummock water  before running their 12 mile, half marathon, west to the sea as the Cocker river, named from the Brythonic Celtic word kukrā, meaning 'the crooked one'.  Spring to stream to sea for the writer. Capillary to vein to ventricle to artery for the scientist.  Streams:  Liza, Whiteoak, Mosedale, Holme, Scale are some of their first names, Beck their second. If they were Scottish they would be of the Burn family, Nant in Wales.  They are born of steep sided rocky valleys, big hills their parents, rain their seed. From an early age they become expert fell runners as they race, stumble and tumble down, clear, bubbly bright and unclothed of pollution, at least for this part of their life.  We found IARA is already a good swimmer, but too buoyant in her wetsuit for really deep solo dives. Twice she escaped away in the current - 'in full flow', as the Sunday Times says - rescued with an unplanned doggy paddle, once when fully clothed. Dip to Drip. IARA was born on a barge and launched to a crowd only 11 days ago (last two photos @penguinhamishhamilton , @hamishh1931 ).  Today...We read with pleasure and surrogate pride that IARA is top of the Sunday Times Best Seller list (by a long margin)... and the Indie Booksellers list!  We wish her a long and influencial life. PS. We call the pool in image9 the Big Nose Rock pool. Its up the wild Gasgale Gill. PPS. Which image catches your attention the most?