Winter's Tale

Tree Bee enjoying the last of August's gifts.

August’s last day brought the ‘North Pole’ to our door with biting winds that burned your skin “how dare it come so soon”!

And  early September sent us a warm breeze,  which released the ‘cotton-tufts’ from the ‘willowherb’, there were so many that wherever we walked within the woodland, our clothes were covered.

Saturday 21^st  Sept ’13  ~  The sun rose from behind the mountains bringing a burst of Summer warmth,  giving way for life that had been missed through the days of cold.  So those that could took flight and filled the air with their colourful displays. 

Willowherb

 Bird songs echoed beyond their boundaries where a calmness was felt.  Whilst a watery glow from the sun showed off it’s sculptured shadows giving wildlife that cover for early morning forage.

Winter’s  Tale

Frayed wings  through sun-kissed days test  ‘Speckled Wood’ in October flight.

Clouds of grey reflect upon the sea,

And how the Bees keep going using their instincts in whatever the weather.

While lollipop birds keep warm flitting back and forth in tune.

A dragonfly of wings so fine moved in elegance, danced the air for the many flies upon the Oak.,

Another arrives doing the same.

I also danced about but on one foot to rid myself of a soggy sock caused by three holes in left welly.

And the ‘Man of the Wood’ taps another nail to secure the small shelter.

As the sun disappeared....a band of icy chill  cut through the trees where birds of the day seeked refuge.

A ‘three day wind’ rarely comes has found it’s way through.

 ‘Peacock Butterflies’ search for winter cover now it’s November,

And a couple of ‘Ladybirds’ seek the last hours of the day.

Whilst those that fall to close another year's chapter, leaf by leaf lay nutrients for 'yet' another life system, who never rejects.

Mistle Thrush so grand and largest of it’s type, perched close to a trunk of the berry tree, cleverly disguised where leaves were beaten about by the gusts “Will you call again even though the berries are sparse.”?   Sure enough more did, picking treats from the nearby field.

Hail stones of  larger size arrive which  cover-up the muddy paths, then minutes later the ‘Snow’ did fall telling us that ‘Winter’ has truly arrived.

Early hours of dark where two ‘Tawny Owls’ exchanged their hoots,

Then as the dark gave-way to light saw everything glisten with frost.

Greetings from a rather large ‘Robin’....tutted as Suki and I stepped into it’s world on our country walk.

~  ~  ~ 

Sunday 17^th Nov’13  ~  SomeOne was risking it out in the open ‘Field Mouse’ especially since our larger dog ‘Duke’  has been known to enjoy a fresh one!

It moved like it was wearing 'springs' on it's feet!

Seems they're too busy to say goodbye.






Please follow me on Woodland Pages 'Face Book' & catch-up with news and other photos....thxu.





M E R R Y   C H R I S T M A S

P.S.:  Leafy Lunch ~ BBC video:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Lumbricidae

And.:  Tawny Owl including it's vocals   http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/t/tawnyowl/index.aspx

Early September

This was probably the same Herring gull  on our Chimney pots, rather than neighbour's whose pots are not covered.

September leaves already turned their shade of pale,

Via winds from north of frozen tales.

Creatures choose below and out of way

Where up above tall trees do sway

Of  rubbing limbs for many hours

A broken branch did fall it’s tower.

Carrion blown in backward flight

Did seem to be an unnatural sight.

Poss'd inside a chimney-pot

A Gull takes it’s lot.

Restless behaviour adjusts to another,

Oh ...the discomfort looking bird now calling for it’s mate.

"Oh where are’t thou,  Gull’s partner, your late" !

When a sudden blaze shone round to give those...in need...some eego

To brave the whip-lashing weather that came too soon.

~ ~ ~

copyright:  lynne shaw (@Lynnibinny)

‘Frogs’ , there weren’t so many this year

‘Frogs’ ,   there weren’t so many this year, unlike last year who were leaping in masses every time we walked the garden.  I’d say 75% down from previous year.  And, those who ‘are’,  enjoy the many ‘Oak logs’ within our garden rockery, hiding in their nooks and crannies.  They leap-aside when one of our Ponies shortens the unkempt lawn.   A kinder approach to life.

Ianto with one thing on his mind, 'food' & Suki you'll see her later.

Although a few hot days, none could compare with an early morning of Monday  26^th August “Just like Summer should be with a stillness of joyous scents that stay with you forever and should be ‘bottled-up’.

Previous years I’d noticed the usual species, this year’s was void of one or two, like the ‘Ladybird’ who didn’t come to light in her favourite place in our front garden, nor in our Woodland ( blackfly had arrived which they like.)  And the ‘Burnet Moth’ wasn’t either......... but other species came forth and made-up for their loss.   Juvenile  ‘Willow Warbler’ and ‘TreeCreeper’ ....only by accidental mishaps on their part. 

Very good at 'climbing-up' but so very bad at flying these juvenile 'TreeCreepers' ......T'was still breathing so placed upon a large log next to our hedge, giving cover from predators. 

'Clever' comes in all sizes..... so good at disguising themselves, just look at this, appears to have 'no' head...can just make out the beak as turned it's head to one side having fluffed-up like a duvet. Little mite flew off soon after.

Someone I hadn’t noticed before upon our hedge mid morning, a ‘Grey Wagtail’ sifting it’s pickings through the damp., who like scrubland, rivers, marshes and lakes to find their choice of insects. A ‘Chaser’ did chance a visit to our garden pond, who I’ve never seen in the real. (sorry, no photos.)

Juvenile Willow Warbler

Twice we rescued the same  juvenile 'Willow Warbler' from off the road where moments later a fast van drove and wouldn't have seen such a tiny bird...was sure to be squashed. I heard the mother calling so tiddler was put back safe. Phewwww... the risks they take...& nearly always carry my trustee camera......so captured the safe return.

Our resident ‘Thrush’ was cleaning it’s beak from the remnants of eating a snail, under a shady tree.  Half an hour later t’was smashing the living daylights out of another from it’s shell.

Please click on photos to enlarge....

Summer rain.... falls gently whilst sunlight crosses the valley, showing off it’s varied colours of green, so refreshing and new growth for all.  Where a female ‘Meadow Brown’ butterfly was enjoying the young shoots of grass upon our one and only lawn.

A few days later an electrified ‘storm’ went off with sheets of rain you couldn’t see through!

One evening a beautiful brown ‘Patterdale’ arrived,  we didn’t know her name, only age, seven.  The previous owner had young children and couldn’t find the time for her so we took her on.  We allowed her time to settle in our home (giving her the chance to size us up first, )  then went through various names......of which she responded  to ‘Suki’ which means ‘love’ or ‘like’ in Japanese.,  and quite honestly suits the name., so she chose well.

'I trust you'

'Finally I can laugh

A rustling sound was heard by our Son, with a quick response grabbed whatever it was... a  ‘Mole’..... so sweet and cute.  He released it to the ground where ‘unfortunately’ our new rescue dog had already crushed it to death.  “Never saw that coming” !

Tuesday 13^th Aug’13 12.30p.m

Exhausted by the mid-day sun sat down upon a sand-filled builder’s bag, when ‘Bob’ came around from behind the hydrangea and cheered me on to dig some more.   With keen eyes the mighty feast began from a juvenile ‘Robin’ whilst I rested and captured him within my little black box.  I spoke throughout our connection and now seems to be a partnership born.

'Bob'

The ‘One and Only’ Painted Lady butterfly came by,  so continued the captures........whilst our Son was digging an area for a greenhouse where ‘Bob’ the young robin was joining in also.

Painted Lady 

Wednesday 21^st Aug’13

A dark sky shadowed the land where a ‘Raven’ of some size sat in a distant tree, then ‘Bob’ appeared from beneath a Hebe shrub next to our old shed enjoying the early morning riches.

Saturday 24^th August’13

Lots of tut tut tutting sounds going on in our garden and woodland, the males have started their fight for territory,  youngsters brave the scene with tails up and down, red waistcoats forming on some already, a Robin’s life can be tough for some.

Woodland youngster forming a red waistcoat

Sunday arrived with mating Bumblebees in flight, they were whizzing everywhere..... 'Union Flight' And were mostly 'Cuckoo Bumblebees' (Redtailed)

Our Woodland took on a new meaning as many Queen Bees were out mating and seemed to choose just about anywhere as were upon our log/water carrier.

The sunshine still gives us it's best as we almost close another August

enjoy 'life' get out and about with wildlife

Goodbye from Ianto

Summer at last!

Bombus Pratorum ~ early Bee

Winter had'nt long past when Autumn had stepped-in too many times,

where blossoms left sooner than should,

 with the sudden onset of high temperatures, where flora were wilting of thirst. 

Even the Bees took to undercover work, causing some to bleach from the hot mid-day sun.

Our Woodstove cracked-up on the odd chilly evening, as the wind got-up to bring Winter waves of cold. 

Where only a week before the Swallows arrived to open 'spring'.  And the rods of rain was so bad...it hurt!

May came crashing down with hailstorms where the wildlife are All exposed!

The Red Mason Bees arrived later  and their time given was shorter than usual.

Red Mason Bee of the Solitary kind.

Not the Blackbird but the Woodlark sings across the air, 

making sure All can hear,

whilst summer breeze and sunshine awaken the early morn.

Throughout the day another bird spoke,

all green with rasping sounds,

that interrupt the others from it's usual tree.

A 'Greenfinch'.

Goldfinch flock back and forth from tree to tree,

whilst I water the green food who's pleased for that drink before the sunbeams scorch the ground.

Early evening arrives when Larky whines-up to a different tune,

telling us his day was a bit of a laugh.

~ ~ ~

19th June '13  ~  Looking up....a mass of bright green caterpillars descend gently down, with the help from their silk.  After days of living in an Oak tree, suddenly surrounded us on this warm and sunny day at last.

14th July '13  ~  7.15a.m  Dew flicked-up from a Rabbits escape, any sooner could have been prey for a quick-paced Fox who had his nose stuck to another's trail.

Up to no good ~ "was it you"?

16th July '13  ~  Jewels in the mist surround me from the early morning rays.... rise-up caused by the warmth of a day.

A dry ground went 'crunch' with every step, no wonder the many Ringlet Butterflies took flight and a pair of Small Skipper weaved the air with their friendship.......along the 'Wasteland' visit.

Redtailed Cuckoo Bee 'worker'

Birdsfoot Trefoil paved some of the way where a Cuckoo Bee was hard at work.

Small Skipper

Thursday 18th July '13  ~  A scratching sound caught my attention whilst searching for the Tree Bee, it was the Leafcutter Bees......so I was able to take a short footage of them:::

Loki in 'wishful thinking mode'

Bye for now...till next time.

'Tale-end' of the Bluetits

The UK  Weather has been brutal to us all, especially our 'Wildlife' who are exposed 'day and night' !

The square of wood you see above was put there to 'stop' a Male Sparrow from bullying them out from their home.  Bluetits are much smaller than Sparrows and did succeed ownership with their tenacity.

On one occasion I noticed the 'said' Sparrow coming out from their nesting box, so drastic measures were taken by putting the extra wood above, where he would sit 'chirping' non-stop!

The same Sparrow has bullied the 'House Martins' from their nest and moved in.

Now that their 'nesting material' has created a good bed,  ready for that special moment, they enjoy the outside together.

Heading back to the 'nest'.

This was the last time I saw them together!

16th May'13 ~ Noticed no activity around their nest-box for four or five days but did hear the calls from the 'male' at the top of one of our trees.  

We've had torrential downpour, perhaps she failed her return journey, we'll never know?

21st May'13 ~  4p.m in the afternoon the male 'Bluetit' called, for what seemed like ages, from a tree near to the nest-box....No female was seen , perhaps his last attempt of searching for her.

And so from stopping over winter, trying to hang-on to their home, all was lost and so sad as their numbers are in decline.

The Good News is that the 'Bluetits' in our Woodland are doing well.

Sunday 27th Jan'13   ~  Sunshine arrived in much splendour which showered fields with it's gold, then all did arise to dry-off with a spurt, geared-up to grow as it would.

I took this capture on 9th Jan'13 looking over from our Woodland

FROG's  MATING

At least five pairs 15th Feb'13

Monday 18th February  ~  T'was out preparing the vegetable areas*

An audience of 'singing birds' came by to make the day superb, they cheered me on to dig much more, whilst Frogs were leaping and frolicking, so there was'nt a patch undug. 

Encouraging sounds from wildlife turned the fork so easily and at incredible speed....of course there was meaning to their joyful songs 'more worms'.

Saturday 2nd March  ~  A day that everyOne could almost do as they pleased......"Loki was"....he was seen climbing into the washing machine, rolling over rubbing his back,  giving himself a good massage...he twist and turned many times and found the rubber door surround really great around the back of his neck.  With lots of licking and yawning decided he'd had enough......"So now he expects the washer door open everytime he passes" because he has a routine and never fails to miss anything with sleeves or dark holes 'such as wellies'.  After all.......they are really wildlife*

Ferrets are mostly kept in small cages and surely couldn't be enough room,, plus being socially starved. 

Loki our Ferret has the freedom of our dining-room and enters the lounge, kitchen once a day for a treat...he visits the log basket for extra scratching upon the cut logs.  They are all 'curious' creatures and should be given some amount of free living., for Loki has such an amazing character, which we would never of known his full extent.    "I just wonder...if he knows just how fortunate he is."?

Monday 4th March  ~  The birds ate upper-crust earlier today, spelt bread crumbs...a discarded piece left on the edge of a plate.  Words got round, so they all want a taste.

Early evening eating crisps and 'Chuckster' arrives with his asking look.......?   he was'nt asking, he was 'insisting'! with his paw just under my chin.  I couldn't give him any because of the salt content, so tried as I might not to look at him whilst finishing them off.

Tuesday 5th March  ~  At 7.40 p.m  Dogs were arriving in from outside where the air was getting quite chilly, then  a 'Toad' arrived, looking very thin.  Our Son moved him safely, away from the path and under a log...  'MARCH  of  the  TOAD'

Saturday 9th March  ~  Where wildlife spoke of  'Spring'.....with our first 'spawn' this year.  The afternoon gave way to another surge of  'spawn' and croaking........my video below ~ be it wobbly at start.

Monday 11th March  ~  The 'Snow' is falling greatly whilst the 'Sun' broadens it's horizon.

Tuesday 12th March  ~  A sky shows off that warmth once more but oh so chilling to the bone with that biting wind hurled across one's face, looking down at frozen 'spawn'.  It was early 7.05 a.m !

By 11.05 a.m  the 'Snow' was arriving thick and fast, three seasons in one.

Its time to close till next time

Thank you

xXx

Christmas went down well with plenty of wholesome foods, and  those special chocolatey tastes.

'Himself' took this photo of Loki

December 15th'12    ~  And Loki arrived 'all claws and teeth', hopefully he'll trust us to be his new friends.  The plump little Ferret is quite a size and wears beige as his coat and probably why he was given to us., this didn't matter as our youngest Son has been longing for one.

Loki has been learning our ways as we have of his and enjoys his daily romp in our lounge but when the Woodstove is roaring away with it's heat,  asks to leave via the door he came in.  "C**an't stand the heat."
The dining-room is where he lives for now as this winter's temperatures have dropped below minus a few times brrrr **  this gave us all the chance to understand each other.

The name 'Loki' came about because we three are interested in 'Norse' ~  Loki was the seductively handsome Norse God of mischief and chaos and this suited his animal-like character.



Monday 17th Dec'12  ~  Early this morning a mechanical sound echoed from beneath one of our dressers in the dining-room.....Loki had vanished and was sweeping up the lost dust., everyOne else thought I'd gone mad as I thought the Ferret began to talk, it said "Warrior dreams", then later during the day we All heard the same sound "A Toy" !

9th January' 13  ~  took a few snaps around the Woodland early morning.

18th January' 13  ~  Awoke at 6.45a.m to a Snow blizzard***  

A female Blackbird was taking shelter under our fir tree, then every now and then pops out to see if any food?

And the Blackbirds, Song Thrush were perched exposed

Please click on the photos to enlarge, thank you.