Young naturalists.

As the weather was good we decided to visit Rodley Nature Reserve, where we  spent a very enjoyable few hours.
( Thought I deserved a day off from  washing, ironing and gardening! That can wait until tomorrow!)
How it has grown up since we were there last.
No young cygnets. Not sure what has happened as last time we were there the swan was sat on a nest.
However there were several lots of ducklings and young coots.
Also sand martins swooping everywhere. Still feeding their young no doubt, and watched a kingfisher diving for food. A long way off so couldn't get any photos.
Didn't see any dragonflies. May be too breezy.

Three things which delighted me today was:

1. A little girl in the cafe was looking at photos on the notice board, and proudly told her granddad that one of the photos was a Hawkmoth, and she had seen one at her house.

2. We were watching a bullfinch feeding in the distance, from one of the hides, when another young girl with her mum and dad came and sat at the side of us.
She was delighted to see the bird, and both her and mum thought it was a robin.
I told her it was actually a bullfinch, and lent her my binoculars.
She was amazed how large it looked, and then asked if her mum could have a look too.
Lovely to see the delight on her face.

3.
As I was taking a photo of the very obliging comma butterfly, yet another family came passed.
This time the young girl, who was probably about 8 years old, asked if it was real!
Again another delighted youngster.

So today wasn't just about our enjoyment, but also seeing the young children finding enjoyment in nature too.

Hope you like the collage, and that you have all had a good weekend.