Signs Of Life..

You do not actually have to go out into the country, I photographed this heron on the Serpentine, Hyde Park, in the centre of London, Wednesday of this week, 17.5.2017

dig 170525005.JPG

David
 
David1226 said:
You do not actually have to go out into the country, I photographed this heron on the Serpentine, Hyde Park, in the centre of London, Wednesday of this week, 17.5.2017

David
Click to expand...

Excellent!

But I don't 'actually' have to visit London, I just walk down to the end of my garden. Sometimes they even visit - but not so often since they last emptied the pond ;).

PS - I did once live in London (more than 50 yrs ago!) and it was absolutely teeming with wildlife (excluding the humans). Some of non-native species could be quite interesting, I always find it remarkable that folks don't see what's in plain site.
 
Last edited:
GNB said:
Henri, all you have do is get out and look about, it can be surprising what's under your feet.

Take a stroll down your nearest river bank and life is full of rewards. I'm very lucky that I live in NE Scotland and I'm happy to share a few of our local wonders.

Look ahead and spot the low flying oyster catcher.

View attachment 223798


Look down, it's the tiny Germander speedwell.

View attachment 223799

Look up and there's no shortage of campion!

View attachment 223800


Look down - it's buttercup, stitchwort and a diminutive sorrel.

View attachment 223801


Start praying and you might spot some common vetch - one of the many wild legumes.

View attachment 223802


Look across the river- it's a stately heron - notice it's strong toes gripping the slippery stones.

View attachment 223803


Look a the pebble beach, on the edge of the rapids, and do you spot the young grey wagtail?

View attachment 223807


Just before you fall in - pause to admire the geraniums that overhang the river.

View attachment 223808


Look on top of an old wall on your way home. It's a tiny tenacious toadflax, set against a backdrop of magnificent May.

View attachment 223809

Henri it really is a wonderful world, wherever you look .
Click to expand...

Is that a Laburnum I see in the attached Files? I wish I had the propensity to remember all the names!

The lilliums are flowering now - the scent is almost overwhelming!
pic from an earlier year ...
DSCF4133.JPG
As for wildlife, I miss the chortling Water Railes (sounding like piglets) which used to grace the stream side of our hedge. A neighbour's misguided attempt to improve drainage resulted in the mass destruction of hedgerows, wonderful swards of bluebells, and the wholesale destruction of the wildlife's habitat!

The March hares used to parade around and hold their boxing matches just a few yards away - not seen them this year at all!

Hares (2).JPG

Primroses for seven months of the year
DSCF8777.JPG

And bats - this one rescued from the clutches of Tomas ...

DSCF4849.JPG

No pictures of the ducks - or the regular visits of the Heron. I just love the flora and fauna.
 
Trammayo you are exactly right, it is a laburnum. They're outstanding at this time of the year, I truncated the post since it was getting a little too long. If you click on the thumbnail image it opens a window, allowing you to browse a slide show of all the other images images as well (at least on an iPad).

Love the bats, brown hare, Turks heads and primroses.

Wonderful!
 
GNB said:
Trammayo you are exactly right, it is a laburnum. They're outstanding at this time of the year, I truncated the post since it was getting a little too long. If you click on the thumbnail image it opens a window, allowing you to browse a slide show of all the other images images as well (at least on an iPad).

Love the bats, brown hare, Turks heads and primroses.

Wonderful!
Click to expand...

Never thought of them as Turks Heads but yes they do look that way!
 
Welcome to the Summer!

Spotted in the low evening sun in a typical low wing tail up posture. It's power line perch gives a good view of this often heard, but rarely seen, harbinger of Summer.

Can you gues what I saw?
 
Last edited:
I'd really appreciate to be able to get out and about and enjoy a fine day in the country. It's always a privilege to see the seasonal wildlife, especially if you keep a sharp lookout (and have a camera too hand)..

I bet Trammayo and Henri can show us some of the exciting pictures of the seasonal wildlife near where they live. I really envy those that live out in the countryside.

It must be really good to be able to get out and about.
 
Last edited:
Yes, I clocked the cuckoo. I admire your photographic skills - and foresight in carrying a camera!

Hissing Sid (well Clyde actually)...
DSCF4139.JPG

Billy the Kid .... (and his sister Tilly)
2010 (17).JPG
The tree was a real magnet for butterflies - until a severe winter destroyed it and some others...

DSCW0007.JPG

and so was the garden wall...

DSCF2273.JPG

A mild winter (2004) dwarf daffys in February..

Cuuradrish Feb 04 076.jpg
 
Gorgeous. Allow me to add a few from our 'countryside', which I also absolutely love...

2017-03-30 19.37.52.jpg
New life.

2017-04-29 10.56.55.jpg
New life in progress


2017-04-29 11.02.17.jpg
A typical 'dike'


2017-05-06 16.08.50.jpg
This amazes me to the max. 'Elephant trails' as they are called. How are they created? How come EACH SHEEP steps on exactly the same path as it's predecessor, weeks in a row? Can they smell it? How do the little 'sidings' originate?
Interesting stuff and fun to watch!


2017-05-27 21.58.00.jpg

One of the many sunsets... Beautiful colours!
 
Sunset...
DSCF4886.JPG
 
You've got to love the random nature of this. Maybe Henri's got some old holiday snaps He'd like to share and I'm dying to see Trammayo 1980's collection of roadkill images!

Trammayo I love the sunset but, if we really want to get off planet, I'm rather partial to this stunning image the sunrise over Neptune.

IMG_0060.PNG

;).
 
GNB said:
You've got to love the random nature of this. Maybe Henri's got some old holiday snaps He'd like to share and I'm dying to see Trammayo 1980's collection of roadkill images!

Trammayo I love the sunset but, if we really want to get off planet, I'm rather partial to this stunning image the sunrise over Neptune.

View attachment 223970

;).
Click to expand...

Saw my first hare (this year) - it had been run over yesterday. I was trying to post some sunsets but it wouldn't accept my selection. W10?

I'll try again ...

Rainbow with Umbra capping the Ox Mountains...
Rainbow PNG (1).png
Sunrise in December...

Our Home (74).jpg
and sunset...
Our Home (73).jpg

I couldn't believe what I saw - the clouds mirroring the trees - so I had to take the pic.
 
Last edited:
trammayo said:
Saw my first hare (this year) - it had been run over yesterday. I was trying to post some sunsets but it wouldn't accept my selection.
I couldn't believe what I saw - the clouds mirroring the trees - so I had to take the pic.
Click to expand...

Excellent, Thought you might have some roadkill images handy? The sunsets are fine but some of the images are in focus ;).

Sorry only 5/10 - you've got be more off the wall!
 
GNB said:
Excellent, Thought you might have some roadkill images handy? The sunsets are fine but some of the images are in focus ;).

Sorry only 5/10 - you've got be more off the wall!
Click to expand...

Yes - I could do with being off the wall - instead of being driven up it by family!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top