Earthwatcher's photos

Beeches near the eastern end of the Limb Valley footpath to Ringinglow. Black and white version. Vertical panorama created from three landscape format photos.

Beeches near the eastern end of the Limb Valley footpath to Ringinglow. Vertical panorama created from three landscape format photos.

A fine double stone wall along the eastern end of the Limb Valley footpath to Ringinglow. Just beyond the upper wall is the old Rough Rock (Namurian age) sandstone quarry, now landscaped and forming part of Whinfell Quarry Gardens. The lower wall is newer and was probably built as a retaining structure when the footpath was formalised into a recognised recreational route.

The footpath from Whinfell Quarry Gardens crosses the ancient hollow way of Fenney Lane (running from left to right in the foreground). Steps lead up to the path into the Limb Valley a short distance away.

Branches and twigs of sycamores along the ancient hollow way of Fenney Lane make a fractal-like pattern against the sky.

Branches and twigs of sycamores along the ancient hollow way of Fenney Lane make a fractal-like pattern against the sky.

A winter walk around the Bird Sanctuary in Ecclesall Woods, south west Sheffield; photo 7 The 'Donkey Field' is a small clearing in the woods just south of the residential area of Whirlow Park Road. Sadly, there are no longer any donkeys there. The Bird Sanctuary is an area of approx. 0.25 hectares in Ecclesall Woods, discretely fenced off to discourage access by ordinary walkers and dogs, and especially to protect wildlife.

A winter walk around the Bird Sanctuary in Ecclesall Woods, south west Sheffield; photo 6 The 'Donkey Field' is a small clearing in the woods just south of the residential area of Whirlow Park Road. Sadly, there are no longer any donkeys there. The Bird Sanctuary is an area of approx. 0.25 hectares in Ecclesall Woods, discretely fenced off to discourage access by ordinary walkers and dogs, and especially to protect wildlife.

A winter walk around the Bird Sanctuary in Ecclesall Woods, south west Sheffield; photo 5 The highest point in the woods at about 175 metres elevation is the location for some magnificent gnarled chestnut trees. The Bird Sanctuary is an area of approx. 0.25 hectares in Ecclesall Woods, discretely fenced off to discourage access by ordinary walkers and dogs, and especially to protect wildlife.

A winter walk around the Bird Sanctuary in Ecclesall Woods, south west Sheffield; photo 4 The highest point in the woods at about 175 metres elevation is the location for some magnificent gnarled chestnut trees. A year ago: The Bird Sanctuary is an area of approx. 0.25 hectares in Ecclesall Woods, discretely fenced off to discourage access by ordinary walkers and dogs, and especially to protect wildlife.

A winter walk around the Bird Sanctuary in Ecclesall Woods, south west Sheffield; photo 3 A few weeks earlier it looked like this: The Bird Sanctuary is an area of approx. 0.25 hectares in Ecclesall Woods, discretely fenced off to discourage access by ordinary walkers and dogs, and especially to protect wildlife.

A winter walk around the Bird Sanctuary in Ecclesall Woods, south west Sheffield; photo 2 A few weeks earlier it looked like this: The Bird Sanctuary is an area of approx. 0.25 hectares in Ecclesall Woods, discretely fenced off to discourage access by ordinary walkers and dogs, and especially to protect wildlife.

A winter walk around the Bird Sanctuary in Ecclesall Woods, south west Sheffield; photo 1 A few weeks earlier, it looked like this: The Bird Sanctuary is an area of approx. 0.25 hectares in Ecclesall Woods, discretely fenced off to discourage access by ordinary walkers and dogs, and especially to protect wildlife.

I liked the low sunlight shining through the stained glass window at the front of our house. This is the original glass dating from 1930 and would have been on the outside before a modern porch was added.

Our neighbour's cat, nicely warm indoors behind double glazed windows, was intensely interested in me taking photos.

The low winter sun illuminates ice crystals which have formed between the two double glazing panes in our porch. There must be some moisture trapped in there.

The low winter sun illuminates ice crystals which have formed between the two double glazing panes in our porch. There must be some moisture trapped in there.

It snowed the previous afternoon and we woke up to a winter wonderland with clear blue skies and a temperature of -7°C