Swans at Wrest

Take a cold, crisp and sunny winter's day, decide to wrap up warm and cosy get outside in the fresh air.  We did just that the other Sunday and were richly rewarded as we watched the swans at Wrest Park, an English Heritage property in Bedfordshire. 

There were a pair of swans with their grown cygnets just lazing by the edge of the front lake. We stopped and watched as they rested, cleaned and fluttered their wings against the ice cold wind and part frozen lake. One of the adults was just gliding around gracefully in the water as though it was a hot summer's day!

We carried on down to the moat, it was frozen and that's when we came upon a stunning view - three more cygnets - this time balancing on the finely glazed water. The low winter sunlight was beautiful, just shining through the trees at the right moment and casting a glow over the ice, the swans' reflections on the frozen water making an even more gorgeous sight. 

It was well worth a look out just for that one special moment. 

The pathway to the lake

Gracefully gliding along! 

A close up

Ruffling feathers

Cleaning time! 

Rest time

A surprise find

Dancing on ice! 

Sleepy! 

Cold, cold water

Foraging on the grassy bank 

Sea Life Around Suffolk

Here are some of the beautiful plants and wildlife we spotted and photographed while exploring around the Aldeburgh and Southwold coasts in Suffolk. 

Masses of valerian made stunning displays across the shingly beach at Aldeburgh. The plant loves dry, stony and sandy areas. 

There are so many reed areas around this coastline with its salt marshes and inlets. The reed beds were busy with reed warblers - we spotted and heard hundreds of them singing, but unfortunately they move so quickly and camouflage themselves in the reeds, so after many attempts, this was the best picture we could come up with! 'You can't catch me!'

These fluffy cygnets were on a nest with their parents on the banks of a tiny inlet from the sea. As we walked the pathway, they treated us when they braved the water and went for a swim. It was as though they were saying, 'We know you are watching us, so we will give you a show!' Their parents were never far away. 

This heron was busy feeding in a newly sown field, near the River Alde and some reed beds. He was a long way away, we waited for a while, but he woldn't turn round and pose properly for us! 

Seagulls. Like three little old men, just having a chin wag and good old gossip on the beach at Aldeburgh! 

Even seaweed can look stunning sometimes. I love the way it's attached itself to these little wooden stumps and the way it ages the boat resting at the water's edge.

Fleabane with its beautiful swathe of gold centred daisies tumbles down the front at Southwold. 

Just along the banks of the river Alde, we spotted some gladioli growing wild and tall amongst the cow parsley. 

The magnificent buds on some wild rhubarb are about to burst amongst the long grasses. 

Big patches of clover gave some lovely purple hues. 

An old boat nestles amongst the grass and a hue of sea thrift. 

I love this one, nature and man just chilling together side by side and sharing the beach lazily! Fishing boats, nets and buoys intertwined with seaweed, a tree stump and a generous clump of great water dock!