Cold and frosty

 A bright but cold winters day here in Teesdale this morning. As I drove into work at the gallery the temperature reading outside the car was -5. As usual I had the camera to hand as you never know what may turn into a good photo opportunity. Adjacent to the lane is a dry-stone wall which is a favourite perch for the local Red Grouse, just the odd one or two. However they are quite a nervous bird and just as you get to within good camera range they take flight-normally. Today was an exception, perhaps it was due to the cold weather and they were feeling a bit lathargic but using a trick which I have put into use over the years I was able to approach them to within a good range and managed to fire off quite a few shots.
The two shown below are just an example.

Red Grouse and Bowes Castle

Red Grouse. Warming himself in the early sun, still with frost on his rump, it was a cold night.