Whatever the season, there is always a magical quality of light, a unique luminescence pervading Richmond Park, enhanced by the wide open spaces.

Today, in mid-January is no exception and the freezing air seems to crackle in the dazzling winter sun.

A hard frost has left un-melted white patches on the north facing edges of tussocky grass while on the path, puddles have a thin film of sparkling ice, cracked and splintered in places underfoot.

Nearby rests a vast herd of red stags, each one sporting a fine set of antlers. Sometimes two animals rise and calmly confront one another, heads lowered, but there is no fierce rattling clash as we witnessed in last autumn's rut.

They remind me of a group of friends recovering from last night's stag party while in the distance a similar sized herd of hinds and young keep themselves to themselves.

At Pen ponds, mainly ice covered, a small section near the bank has been cleared by mallard and coot.

Someone throws bread which immediately causes the birds to clamber out to be joined as if from nowhere by squawking gulls, chacking jackdaws and a pair of crows.

From across the pond coots run towards me, slip-sliding on the ice making a comical (to us) spectacle (pictured) as they hurry to join the party.

A female Egyptian goose seizes a chunk of stale stollen cake and thoughtfully walks to the water to moisten it before swallowing.

The sun's low angle highlights all the bird's glossy colourful plumage and the jackdaw's beady eyes creating a wonderful image as they feed.

Retracing my steps there is a sudden increase in the late afternoon chill , a foretaste of yet another frosty night ahead to test the bird's endurance.