The twelfth and final monthly visit to Radley Lakes was just after sunrise on a frosty morning with temperatures of minus 4.

The surface of Thrupp Lake was frozen near the road and in sheltered corners on the far side. The ice sheet had a blue-grey edge between grey ice and water.

Somebody had left some food, and gulls and ducks were hovering and squabbling there near a lookout area like a seaside promenade.

The hoar frost coated all the plants and grass at that early hour.

Puddles were frozen, as were the smaller lakes.

A Robin came and hopped around near me with feathers all puffed out.

Next year where shall I go for a monthly visit? So far, I have done Barton Fields, Abbey Fishponds and Radley Lakes.

Here is the view across Thrupp Lake from the far side. The Michaelmas daisies are now fluffy seedheads, and their stalks and leaves turn black.

Here is a similar view from behind the bench dedicated to Basil  Crowley  – Chairman of Save Radley Lakes from 2005 -2010. He used to take photographs around the lakes that appeared on the cards sold to raise funds for Save Radley Lakes.

Another seat has a plaque to James Culling of the Earth Trust, who currently runs the Radley Lakes wildlife area with the support of the Radley Lakes Trust.

There seemed to be more ducks on Thrupp Lake on my monthly walk today. Ducks included mallards and black and white ducks too far away for me to identify.

There were also half a dozen swans.
November has brought rain. The smaller lakes that seemed to be drying up have filled with water, and even the paths in places have filled with water.

There was some blue sky this afternoon as I walked around Radley Lakes. Trees are turning red and bronze.

I wonder how long it will be until the boat house, one of the landmarks of Thrupp Lake, disintegrates. Many large, dark-water birds were fishing in the lake. It is a wonder there are fish left.

The ducks land with a splash, and the water runs off them.

Cormorants are not so waterproof; they hang their wings out to dry after fishing.

The fallen leaves now cover the paths around the lakes.

A tree had fallen over the cycle track. It will be cleared by Sunday when 1,152 runners run by the lakes for the  Abingdon Marathon. Unfortunately, I am away at the weekend, so if anybody gets some pictures, please email them to backstreet60@gmail.com.

After walking around Thrupp Lake, I went by Orchard Lake, which also looks autumnal

as do the Restored Mineral Workings (Thrupp Green ).

Both pigeons and gulls seem to like standing in line together. This gull was standing with some pigeons on the Wilsham Road fence. What was it thinking?

The moment I got near, the gull flew off, and the pigeons remained standing. That helped sort the gull from the pigeons.