Draycote Water, January 2024

My previous visits to Draycote water have focussed on the visitor centre and watching the sailing club activity on the water. The reservoir has many wildlife visitors and I have enjoyed photographing their presence.  As I had some time to myself during a visit with my daughter who lives in Rugby, I took the opportunity to visit Draycote Water. I wanted to explore parts of the reservoir that I had not visited before. To approach the Eastern tip, I walked from Dunchurch over the M45 and then down Toft lane where there is a public footpath entrance.  This approach to the reservoir is from a high hill and you get an overview of the landscape before dropping down to the arrow point of the water.  Severn Trent are doing work on the tow path towards the east part of the reservoir so I realised that I would not be able to do a full circle. Therefore I started walking and took a chance that I could get to the valve tower at the dam wall.  

Draycote Water, January 2024
An overview of Draycote water.
Draycote Water, January 2024
Shadows by the fence

Immediately I discovered that around here, the geography of Draycote water was interesting and varied.  The water level was high and many trees were partially submerged in the water. There were glimpses of the wildlife swimming in between the tree trunks.  This part of my journey took some time but this was self-inflicted by my desire to take photographs of the different views amongst the trees.  There were also many different birds on the water surface.  In the air, I saw kestrels and helicopters – quite divergent aerial sights.  One had to be careful of the cyclists and runners who were buzzing past you on the roads and footpaths.

Draycote Water, January 2024
The water levels are high
Draycote Water, January 2024
Colours amongst the trees

I also met Bob who is an avid birdwatcher and was armed with his binoculars and scope. He also had a bridge camera with him. We struck up a conversation and learnt a lot about each other. We exchanged our family stories. Then we discussed the birds around Draycote water including the Great Northern Diver. This was a species that Bob was keen to see. We spent a good 15 minutes passing the time of day. We even acted as tour guides as people stopped to ask us about the path around the reservoir. 

Eventually I arrived at the Valve Tower and took several pictures of this feature of Draycote water.  The signs were now telling me that I could not go any further.  There were three kestrels circling around and I was hoping they would come closer but instead they moved further away into the surrounding countryside. There were several birds on the water to photograph and then it was time to head back to Dunchurch to get a lift from my daughter. 

Draycote Water, January 2024
Cyclists on their way
Draycote Water, January 2024
The view towards the valve tower.
Draycote Water, January 2024
The valve tower on the dam wall.

Enjoy this photographic journey of Draycote.  A place I will return to especially in the Golden hour of sunrise/sunset.

Draycote Water, January 2024
Taking life slow.

Severn Trent have a visitor site that provides up to date information about what is happening at Draycote Water

Lesser Kestrel, Mountains in Kos

The album “Reach for the Sky” was released by Sunderland Brothers and Quiver in 1975.  The cover is very evocative and has an eagle flying across the sun.  My picture of the Lesser Kestrel flying over the valley between Kardamena and Pyli reminds me of that LP record.  It is one of many pictures taken on a day out with the wonderful photographer Sarah Longes (Twitter @miradordesign).  With my 200mm lens working to its limit, Sarah taught me to be patient on taking photographs. Not one of my strongest virtues but I am learning. 

Lesser Kestrel, Mountains in Kos
A pair of lesser kestrels take a rest from hunting
Lesser Kestrel, Mountains in Kos
If you look closely, a bee is following the kestrel as it sets off in flight.

Sarah spotted where the lesser kestrels were hunting on the edge of the valley.  The view from our photography spot was spectacular and one of the interesting features were the large number of bee hives scattered across the landscape. Sarah has a sixth sense of where to find wildlife. I have known her virtually for a few years now and luck would have it we were both on Kos at the same time. She is a super photographer and teacher.

Gecko lizard in the mountains of Kos Island
A gecko lizard out and about.

We left the Lesser Kestrels hunting in the mountains and moved onto Pyli to walk around the village.  Pyli features a natural water spring.  Although it was the heat of the day, there were several people filling up containers with spring water.  It was quiet when we visited, although two coach tours did descend on the area whilst we were having lunch in a local restaurant in the square.  

The water fountains at Pyli, Kos Island
The water at the springs in Pyli is particularly sought after for its mineral content.
The water fountains at Pyli, Kos Island
Yannis, a local resident, filling up containers. The water will be taken to restaurants throughout Kos.

Following lunch, we made our way to the Alikes Salt Lake that was next to the town of Tigaki.  The lake was teeming with wildlife in spite of the serious levels of pollution present.  The salt works are no longer operational and are visited by a few tourists and locals.  More interest is from the paragliding sails that pepper the horizon.  The salt lake was interesting with graffiti on old abandoned buildings,  several varieties of birds and even some turtles swimming around.  It was here that once again I learnt to be patient, as I photographed the birds, resisting my natural temptation to rush forward to get as close as possible.

Aliki Salt Lake, Kos Island
Evocative image of the Black winged Stilt flying over the salt lake.
Aliki Salt Lake, Kos Island
Turtle and Bird not talking to each other.
Aliki Salt Lake, Kos Island
No talking please whilst flying.
Aliki Salt Lake, Kos Island
Looking out for food.
Aliki Salt Lake, Kos Island
These legs were made for wading.
Aliki Salt Lake, Kos Island
Nice reflections.
Aliki Salt Lake, Kos Island
Amy Whitehouse looks out from the abandoned salt works.
The salt lake was so hot and this dramatic view of the mountains puts it in perspective.
Aliki Salt Lake, Kos Island
Heading out for the paragliding.

Our final stop was the Traditional Windmill of Antimachia.  This is a restored windmill and the intricate sails were quite magnificent as they turned around.  I chatted to the owner of the Windmill and accompanying restaurant/bar and showed him Chesterton Windmill near Leamington Spa.  The owner was very interested, and I hope that I have forged an international link between the two windmills.

Antimachia Windmill on Kos
The striking Antimachia Windmill on Kos

A memorable day and thank you to both Sarah for allowing me to accompany her on her photography tour and Simon her husband for chauffeuring us around Kos.  Hope you as the reader enjoy the pictures.

If you want to know more about Kos then there are two sites I would recommend,
Visit Kos Island Greece
Visit Greece

For the pictures of Sarah Longes then I would recommend her Twitter feed as she regularly posts there. Comment on her pictures and Sarah is sure to reply!

Sarah in photographic action in the mountains.

If you want to discover the song “Reach for the Sky” by Sutherland Brothers and Quiver then there is a YouTube link with the lyrics.