Common Cranes (Grus Grus) resting near Petit-Bersac, Dordogne, France.

At the end of February, thousands of common cranes fly north over our area of France.
 The Skeins fill the skies with their excellent verbal calls (the call of lost souls). Unlike their autumn southern migration, they may rest in the fields for a day or two if the conditions are right.
As you can see from the last post, the conditions were excellent for the stopovers this year.

They came in their thousands.

Passing over local landmarks as they prepared to land.

Behind them, in the trees, can be seen the local heronry. Grey Herons have already started to take up residence.

In the rising sun, a juvenile sought a lost family.

They flew between the fields in search of food.

Then, the moment was right for their onward journey. Cranes rise up through the trees.

Their passage migration continued North.

Un regard d’hiver.

A glance at Winter.

A collection of photographs captured throughout January and early February.

Sunrise over the Dronne River valley.

The mist is concentrated as the sun warms the air.

The sun had set on another beautiful day.

Pink vapour trails as the aircraft flies south into Spain.

The rain had arrived by mid-January.

With such heavy downpours, it took very little time for the water to engulf the fields.

Our local rivers, the Dronne and Brousse, could not cope with the deluges and burst their banks.

The Moon over La Brousse.

Skeletal reflections.

Amazing abstract skies.

Winter had almost ended, and Common Cranes (Grus Grus) headed North to their breeding grounds.
Our flooded fields were the perfect night stop on that long journey. Today it is four! Wait until the next post!

The Emirates Spinnaker Tower.

Standing like a Space Rocket, dwarfing the Portsmouth skyline, the Emirates Spinnaker Tower.

Caught in the early morning light.

Watching over this busy Port.

All ferries come and go to and from the Isle of Wight.

Gulls and Kittiwakes followed our wash as we departed for France and home.