It's very quiet on Secret Leeds today (July 9 2014).

[Leodian]

At the time of posting this thread there does not seem to have been another post to Secret Leeds today (July 9 2014). To hopefully post something pretty I took this photo on May 13 2014. It shows an almost wood-like scene looking downriver of the River Aire from the footbridge over the river near to the Whitehall Quay area. I don't get to around there that often so it was a surprise to see such lush growth by the riverside. PS. I'm glad I spellchecked my post as I had typed 'Secret Leeds' as 'Sexret Leeds'. Well, C and X are next to each other on the keyboard so that's my excuse!     

[Dalehelms]

I was thinking the same, Leo. I was hoping that my post on the John Thorp lecture hadn't killed things stone dead!

[cnosni]

Nice pic Leo. Good reflectios. Keep it going

[Leodian]

Cheers Dalehelms and cnosni.I took this photo close-by the one I have already posted. It shows a solitary swan on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal where that runs under the rail line shortly before Leeds Station. There seemed to be no sign of another swan but I hope it was not alone, or at least still is not.    

[uncle mick]

It's been a lovely sunny day, been in the garden all day & now watching football probably that's why it's been quite

[tilly]

Its nice to see a swan on the river when i was a kid that swan would have been a dirty brown colour. That would have been with all the pollution in the water of all the changes that have taken place in Leeds in the last forty or fifty years the river coming back to life has for me been the best. I never thought i would see the day when fish could be caught under Leeds Bridge .The monks at Kirkstall used to take salmon from the river and i dont think it will be long before the salmon are back. They have been spotted further down river so with a little help ie fish passes they will be back again.We should not take the river for granted after all it is because of the river that the city of Leeds came into existence the river is the jewel in our crown and has such should be looked after and cared for.

[Cardiarms]

There are plans to put fish passes, I think the Rodley one has been completed. The Aire should be able to support migratory fish when complete.http://aireriverstrust.org/category/new ... cts/weirs/

[tilly]

Cardiarms wrote: There are plans to put fish passes, I think the Rodley one has been completed. The Aire should be able to support migratory fish when complete.http://aireriverstrust.org/category/new ... cts/weirs/ Thats good news Cardiarms the river side has been altered so has to enhance its importance and i must say they have done a very good job.I think in times to come the river will be used a lot more for leisure as with other towns sitting on a river i cant see this happening in my time but i am sure this is the way it will go.

[Chas]

Speaking of seeing swans on the river Aire, not long ago I was surprised to see two kingfishers flying across the river, in view of Hunslet Mill, near South Accommodation Road. There were two tiny flashes of brilliant blue light, darting low above the water, as they disappeared on the other side of the river, heading for the river bank. It's the first time I've ever seen kingfishers (in real life) and I didn't expect to see them there. I could only deduce that where kingfishers were there must be a supply of tiny fish, such as sticklebacks or minnows, for their food supply. I also saw swans and mallard ducks on the river, a good indication that the river is coming back to life.