Canalside again

 
I didn't have a walk planned last Sunday but it was such a lovely day that decided I had to get out. I set off a bit vaguely, headed for the stretch of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal between Riddlesden and Keighley, which I haven't walked... ever? Well, certainly not for a very long time. It starts off in a fairly built-up area but the houses are nice, with gardens down to the canalside, all rather beautiful.

The canal, sited mid-way up the valley side, skirts Keighley town but you get good views across the valley - and eventually across Keighley Golf Club's greens.

Out here, it's more rural and peaceful. Since we've had a little rain in the last few days, suddenly everywhere is looking very green and lush.

I noticed a pretty white butterfly - maybe a green-veined white? (I'm not much good at identifying them.)

There are broods of newly hatched ducklings all along the canal. This mama looks a bit of a hybrid, so I imagine the ducklings will grow up hybrid too - if, indeed, they are lucky enough to grow up at all. It's sad how the early numbers, 7 in this case, seem to dwindle, often to just a couple as they grow.

As I paused to take a photo of the bluebell haze in the woods on the other bank, a couple were passing by in the opposite direction. The lady stopped and asked if I'd been in the nature reserve. Nature reserve? No, I didn't even know there was one. So she gave me directions. It wasn't much further to walk - and what a treat that proved to be....