Sunday afternoon 2.p.m ish And the ‘JackDaw’ has managed to get out of the Cage and into next door’s shed......neighbour opened door and he flew off.....has been seen with others of his type, thankfully. And an hour later......heard him calling! Must have walked up and over the Shed-rafters .......seems to fly well.
Tuesday 20th Dec 'Sneg' the little Pigeon is trying to mine his way into the hall-way , tap tap tapping on dining-room door... 'little chap' - unless he’s sending a secret message to the dogs....... who he knows take first dibs around the hot stove.
Wednesday just disappeared !
SOLSTICE >>>please ignore end-of-world - We're still here ! >>> http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/december-solstice.html
Greenman info.> http://www.lowefoto.co.uk/colour/colour23.html <pls click on links
Thurs 22nd Dec - A Sky ‘bursting’ with light... through dark heavy clouds....what else will it give us today?
Friday 23rd Dec - A Fierce Wind travels..... with it's accompanied partner...... 'Rain' - I sincerely Hope All Animals are Safe !
Other half has gone to get trail-ends of forgotten shopping for Xmas Day! Plus another Bail of Haylage !
Saturday 24th DECEMBER - from Shark Savers >
T'was a Shark-y Night before Christmas
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T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the seas
All the creatures were swimming, at peace and at ease. The finners at dock, not catching a thing, A sea shanty of yore instead did they sing.
Children everywhere nestled snug in their beds,
Visions of healthy reefs swirled in their heads. And Shark Savers everywhere in their Shark Savers' gear Headed to the ocean to see if sharks might be near. When out on the waters there arose such a clatter, We donned our dive-gear to check on the matter. Away to the reef we swam in a flash, And spied a habitat, devoid of all trash! Moon on the crests of the rippling waves Gave the lustre of mid-day to animals saved. When, what to our wondering eyes should we find, But a magical ship, surrounded by marine life, all kinds. With a little old diver, so lively and quick, We knew in a moment it must be St Nick. More rapid than tunas his escorts they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name! "Now Thresher! now, Mako! now, Spinner and White Tip! On, Tiger! On, Silky! on, Dusky and Black Tip! To the top of the sea! to the nearest sea-wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!" As wild waves that before the wild hurricane flail, When met with an obstacle, they set a broad sail. So across the seven seas the entourage flew, With the ship full of hope, and St Nicholas too. And then, in a twinkling, we heard in the air The splashing and leaping of each shark that was there. As we surfaced to see, and looked all around, Onto the bowsprit, St Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in kelp, from his feet to his dome, And his clothes were glistening with splashes of sea-foam. A bundle of tools he had flung on his back, And he looked like a sailor, just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! Full of mischievous scheme!
His cheeks were like roses, his face from a dream!
His droll little mouth was smiling so wide,
The beard of his chin neatly braided each side.
A dive knife he held tight in his teeth,
Wrapped in seaweed like a small Christmas wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, more pirate than elf,
And he laughed when he saw us, in spite of himself!
A wink of his eye and a tilt of his head,
Soon gave us to know we had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Cutting nets and long-lines with a quick, final jerk.
Then raised his arms in a victory pose,
And giving a nod, up to the ocean surface he rose!
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He sprang to his ship, then to the sharks gave a cheer,
And away they all swam, finally free, without any fear.
But we heard him exclaim, 'ere he sailed out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a safe-night!"
But we heard him exclaim, 'ere he sailed out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a safe-night!"
Santa shark image: Mary O'Malley
According to Wikipedia, the poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas, was first published anonymously in 1823 and generally attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, although the claim has also been made that it was written byHenry Livingston, Jr.
CHRISTMAS DAY
AT 7.47 A.M Our Son has just arrived downstairs washed,dressed and methodic ways.....begins to open his pressies with precision......
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Sky is a wash-out with fine rain and not a sign of any light from Sun, perhaps a storm-a-brewing !
Monday 26th Dec - “Oh the Wild West Wind blows across from the Open Sea”, it’s pushing and pulling through crooks n crannies, dragging the Rain alongside.
Tuesday 27th Dec - We’re gathering-up dried leaves to give our little ‘Hens’ n ‘Cockerels’ a better footing to stop the clog of mud collecting around their feet.......which would have felt like lead weights!
All finished at 2.p.m and on my return from the ‘Top Field’ our Son is sat with a ‘Pigmy Shrew’ in his new hat. “Take a picture of him inside the hat” Dad says.....attempts were foiled by the ingenius footwork of the ‘shrew’.......climbed up the many rows of stitches and ‘Off’ under the ground cover beneath the caravan.
The instant we arrive home...kettle was put on ‘Homemade’ Pork Pie and a dash for the ‘Quality Street’ sweets were raided once again! ‘Treat-Time’
2.59 p.m "Can't Believe it".... Five Eggs Laid and they've just been SAT on!! poop "I say" ! rescued two..... better than None . Runny Egg all over Himself’s hat PoopdiddlyPoop!
‘Little Black Hen’, who is a ‘hybrid’ was brought home due to ‘Bill’ the massive Cockerel having ripped her side with his sharp ‘spurs’! She just wants to be left aloan in peace and quiet from now-on.
Wednesday 28th Dec - First time of seeing Sun for some days now....makes All the difference to how one feels but most of All the WildLife want to ‘show-off also !
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| 'Red-Kite - captured on 14th Jan'12 |
‘Little Black Hen’ is taking things very cautiously around our Garden....she still thinks ‘Bill’ is around that corner ......poor little thing! And now is spending her morning within the safety of our Shed.
Friday 30th Dec - It Howled All night long with a beating Rain! .... To our surprise woke-up to a very still morning .....The Birds were eating what remains amongst the loose bark chippings....prodding along with each foot in turn....... And still kind of darkish at 8.43 a.m.
I can hear a knocking sound "it's Sneg".....lad with the beak, knocking on the door at 10.34a.m
Saturday 31st Dec - I’d left a ring of biscuit crumbs, from the night before around the lap-top as I was in the dark apart from the light from the lap-top....never noticed them. Breakfast was a piece of crust left in the bread bin, which was made the day before.....so cut it into two and ate with homemade plum jam, which got the taste-buds tingling!
A NEW YEAR HAS BEGUN – Let’s make it Full of Positives !
The Old Diary is now filed away for the New to Begin !
Sunday 1st January 2012 Was a Wet start with those dark grey clouds moving in with great speed. Fascinating how often the weather changes. Different types of Rain came down and what holes were already filled with water are now over-flowing.
Little Black Hen was taken back down to woodland and put in with the other ladies....she seemed perkier.
Monday 2nd Jan - 8 a. mish - I open the landing window to view outside across the little corner of Sea thats visible from where we live.....it was actually visible! And below could hear the whistlings of birds saying it’s ‘Spring’ ! The Garden was full of many insects. Late afternoon ‘Himself’ had noticed a large group of ‘Gnats’ hovering around the Bird House., it must be warm !
10.19 a.m Had already been outside to take the ‘Sneg’ deposits carefully wrapped in old newspapers to put in shed ready for the ‘compost’....and forgot another load and as I opened the door to outside a little face peered up at me “What are you doing outside Chuckie”? “And how did you manage it “?.......He looked at me with bewilderment arrrhhhh ! must have sneaked out between the gaps !
‘Sneg’ All spruced-up with a good preen, including a few ballet movements..... was taking on-board the Outside World through his glass window of dreams. A good friend Lisa was asking how he is >”what's situation regarding his flying skills, any chance still?” “ He won't be going any higher than a 'Chair-back' !” “ Only as far as back step on return and a couple of stairs, lisa .....unsure of the complete flight range ? “Very aware of heights , does'nt seem to like “! Lisa replied “Oh dear not such a good fear for a bird “ !
The Photo above was taken at mid-day
Time is 12.17 p.m Son and I Taking the tread gently approach around the Woodland with the hope of seeing those little ‘Grey Squirrels......... with our’’’’’’’ shssing and whispering amongst the noisy bracken..... were the many silhouettes of ‘Grey Squirrels’ leaping from one tree to the next high-up, they glanced our way to see who we were.
The ‘Hens’ were allowed some time to walk freely but decided to spend it under our little caravan where it is always very dry to take a ‘Dirt-Bath’ and to rid themselves of unwanted pests.....
As they came out from under.... the little ‘Brown Hen’ was taking on the appearance of an ‘Indian Runner’ she looked and must have felt quite strange.....not knowing how to rid herself of All that Dirt....hence the funny low crouching walk....she’ll soon find out.... how, is still a youngster.
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| Little Black 'Hen' feeling better ! |
2 p.m home inside from having been in Wood........ “I honestly know now that 'Sneg' was trying to tell us the Saddle was falling off the chair, crashed onto floor- No One near..... phew” he was making a commotion of noise and head movements from other side of room prior to it falling.
Tuesday 3rd Jan - Experiencing dreadful types of weather, strong Gusts Blew Iron Gate over and a couple of other things. Animals o.k. in between Hail, Snow, Heavy Rainfall and tiny Spurts of Sunshine ....... totally weird ! 93 mph Winds further down south.
Weather does'nt seem to be getting any better, one minute it's freezing gusts from North with another weather-front sending warmth...from West!
5.10 p.m Whilst eating our evening meal ‘Sneg’ noticed another bird on the Wall beside him......he nodded a few times to acknowledge and then gave up, he soon realised it was only his ‘shadow’ “did look embarrassed” !
Wednesday 4th Jan - The Sky was a brilliant pink with china blue.......is this another exciting day.
11.41 a.m And the house seems bare of it’s festive decorations, all boxed and ready for the ‘loft’.
I was dashing upstairs with the ‘Lumix’ camera to no avail (Red-Kite had moved away by the time I’d arrived.) And just put one foot down on first step of stairs only to lose my grip on Camera....rolled a couple of steps “thinking it would stop on third, it didn’t, just kept on going to the last” ! “amazingly enough it still works”!
Thursday 5th Jan - Pulling the curtains to a close to ‘Snegs’ magic Window “but I haven’t finished looking” !........ as his movements dodge from one-side-to the other! He was probably fixed on something ........sorry mwahh xXx
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| He does look embarrassed-please say if I'm wrong |
Friday 6th Jan - whizzed past seeing as I was mostly on the computer but a still day outside thankfully. I’d been laughing at something that seemed funny......one has to have a laugh at least once a day, for if I didn’t I’d fold away.......then crumple into a ball.
Cleared a few more pieces of the dreaded ‘Duckweed’ around Garden Pond >>>>>>>>> > http://www.plant-lore.com/plantofthemonth/duckweed-and-jenny-greenteeth/
Saturday 7th Jan - The Sun was a little late in getting up and Shone across the Valley at 9.15 a.m
10.48 a.m We're off down Woods in a mo -as weathers turned itself out to be nice.
A ‘Tree Creeper’ was combing the trunk of an Ash Tree......circling round and around, up and down, picking as it went with it’s tiny sharp beak.Link> http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/t/treecreeper/index.aspx & http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Eurasian_Treecreeper
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| 'Bracken' wearing his Winter Coat |
Sunday 8th Jan - Food -Shop....etc. Including a massive hatch of ‘Gnats’ due to the unusual warm weather !
Monday 9th Jan - And the sky has opened- up a vivid crimson .
since you found the seeds.......poooooeeeeee ! Chuckie picked-up the bowl and said it was on empty “More Seeds please” as he carried it towards me, doing an ‘Oliver Twist look’
Tuesday 10th Jan - Is a Grey Sky........at least it’s not raining.
Whilst ‘Sneg’ has his outdoor wanders and forage amongst the bark paths, (Sentinel) ‘Chuckie’ “The Dog for the Job” guards him from any Predators such as the ‘Red-Kite’, Buzzards or Cats.......he would surely become a ‘Feather-duster’ in no time.....if not!
Early this morning Little ‘Black Hen’ died, So sad.......she seemed ready to venture back in with the other ladies (as cocks had been put into their own house) wasn’t to be, “She was a very ‘Sweet’ little hen and Will be remembered by us All xXx
Wednesday 11th Jan - Hasn’t seen any Sunshine today.......
Thursday 12 th Jan - Just a glimpse of Sun to start the early morning and managed to channel it’s way through the clouds mid-morn, nice to see it making an effort.
9.30 p.m.........’Sneg’ has decided he won’t sleep on the ‘chair-back’ anymore, he feels much more comfortable close to his favourite door into the hall.
Friday 13th Jan - 7.41 a.m Son leaves for the School Bus whilst it’s still very dark......he shouts out to me “Mum....look at the ‘Moon’ “ ! as he took his lengthy strides to catch the bus - on time. “ WoW” “Thanks “! It did appear awesome....... looked as though it was travelling through a time-tunnel of misty Clouds....” the direction of the breeze was creating this illusion of mystical mystery.
Our little ‘feathered friend – Sneg’ had been for an early adventure and as we peered around the corner of the house he was surrounded by a group of ‘Sparrows’ “I wonder if they were ‘Narcissus’ family”? they seemed to be talking ‘bird’ and this encounter with others of his similar type seemed to enlighten him.
1.30 p.m ‘Sneg’ has been for a second wander around the front garden for a change of scenery.....both dogs were keeping an eye or two on him.
A few moments later a ‘Tortoiseshell’ was struggling to get through the window Link> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7833122.stm I just wonder if this one in picture below, had a secret stash of food ?
5.18 p.m Guess What?... ‘Sneg’ is tired, taking a snooze behind his favourite ‘hall-door’.
Saturday 14th Jan - I’d just arrived downstairs and I always peek outside to see whos called early......A ‘Blue tit’ was looking at the Box fixed to the brick-shed wall, perhaps with prospects in mind for later., lets hope so.
Then “what looked like” a ‘Wren’ as it’s tail-end was sticking up but appeared too plump and fluffed-up..." it was 'Wren'".......picking it’s way merrily along the guttering for those tasty morsals whilst the frost had given us a thin layer across the land.....at 8.30 a.m
Sunday 15th Jan
Rinsing my cup in the sink, turned around to see a queue of.......two dogs and ‘Sneg’ waiting for the lounge door to open and to take on a more comfy disposition around the cosy fire.
Monday 16th Jan - A light covering of Frost gave us a picturesque view but not as good as January 'll - this was taken within our 'Woodland'
Here is 'Sneg' saying "Cheerio until our next Adventures"
He has been a-travelling amongst the front garden foliage and enjoying the Warm Sunshine !
Thank you - please Call again
xXx
Such a wonderful blog. Absolutely brilliant! Great photos and interesting links too. So sorry to read about Little Black Hen,so very sad. I do love Sneg such a happy little fellow. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing diary, more please Binnie. xXx
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a pigeon speaking in morse code. And chickens are always a pleasure to see.
ReplyDelete