Showing posts with label Bird. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bird. Show all posts

Monday, 1 September 2025

September Already?!

 I'm not even going to try and do a review of the last few months...but just look forward, although will look back to 29th August when I was taking Peter for his walk we came across this buzzard on the path.


I tried to move it out of the way so that no loose dogs would get it, as it didn't want to fly off.  I managed to get it through the fence into the field with a bit of coaxing, but thought I would return with some gloves when I was walking Simon and if it was still there I would move it where it was safer.

On my return I saw a man and his dog and asked if he had seen it, he said no, so I thought good it had gone.  However, upon walking a little bit further on it had come back through the fence and was back on the pathway again.  Now I know it couldn't walk very fast, so I am astounded the man didn't see the bird!  Probably fortunately he clearly wasn't very observant.  


I tied Simon up, put on my gloves and carefully picked the bird up and put him up out of the way behind a stone walk and tree.  He was amazingly light.  I checked the following day and the buzzard had gone, and there was no trace of him, so I am guessing he was just drying out, perhaps his wings had got too wet and he was exhausted.  Once he felt better he flew off.  That is what I am hoping anyway.  He had the most amazing blue eyes.

So on to today, Monday 1st September, he was absolutely chucking it down with rain this morning and the gutters were overflowing again.  They have now been cleared out.  This seems to be a monthly job!


A little later I managed to get a photo of the garden.  The grass looks a tiny bit greener.


The sea was pretty rough today.  Amazingly by mid day the sky had cleared somewhat and it was just windy, but we had some blue skies and were able to enjoy lunch outside at a cafe we enjoy going to.



The triffod is growing well...actually it is the kiwifruit vine.  It is now completely covering our bedroom window, so once the kiwifruit are ripe we will cut it right back again.  We give it a harsh pruning every year.  The people before us really planted it in completely the wrong place, but I am not sure how successful we would be at moving/transplanting it now. 



I think we must have almost 20 fruits on the vine which is a first.  We have only had two or three before.


The blueberry is still producing.

Up in the orchard we have loads of apples, pears and plums, which I have been picking and giving away.  I still have a freezer full of apples, and a pantry full of jam.  We obviously eat some of the fruit as well.  I need to learn how to 'can' (using jars) fruit.

It is nice to have the fruit, especially considering I haven't really been able to do any gardening because of this thyroid illness and then falling severely back in June, which I could have done without and am still in a lot of pain as a result of the fall.  The rest of the garden was rather a flop.  I think I must be the only person that can't grow courgettes successfully...the look good, but then never amount to anything.  I have had a few beans, a couple of sweetcorn and that is it.


Oh and we had the most amazing crop of apricots this year, over 40, this is some of the first lot that I picked.  We completely enclosed it in a special strong net this year so nothing could get in at the fruit.  I really enjoyed these very much.

Forgot to add these couple of pretty plates I got from the charity shop.  


I am going to start to collect a few plates for use to replace the old chipped ones we have, so when I saw these two lovely plates, I thought they would be perfect.  












Friday, 21 February 2020

Monday, 23 May 2016

Goldcrest

I was watering the garden this afternoon, when to my delight I spotted a 'new' bird visitor.

I took quite a few photos in order to identify it.  Some shots aren't especially good as he was a very busy little bird flitting here and there.












A mouthful of aphids!  Good work!

Wednesday, 6 April 2016

Fantail Fun

One of my favourite little birds in New Zealand must be the  busy inquisitive and ever so friendly fantail.  The garden and bush surrounding my parents property were full of them and they were regular visitors around the house.  Capturing their antics is not easy though as they are always on the go!  Here are just a few of my attempts. 












Saturday, 15 February 2014

Art Class - Week 6

I'm a bit late posting this.  On Thursday I did some experimenting, trying to decide whether to take a small watercolour paint set with me to NZ or just my water colour pencils, or both!   I also managed to get a little acrylic painting done as well, trying something quite different this time.  My family weren't so impressed by  my attempt at a boat on the water!  I did try to explain it wasn't finished yet and I hadn't spent a lot of time on it, and when I showed them the picture I was painting from they did agree that it was 'similar'...hmmmm



Both need more work, but not sure I will get time before I set off for NZ at the end of the week.

Wednesday, 1 January 2014

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!


I think the birds are pleased to have a readily available food source in this terrible weather.

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Okay, so I am bored,  no real pearls of wisdom or post of interest to start the New Year off, just a little bit of nonsense and fun.


A few friends enjoying each other's company.

Peter Panda, my childhood Panda who got cuddled until he wore out...  Gordon Golly, a Golliwog made by Robin Rive's daughter Brigitte from New Zealand.  Bernard Woolley, named after a certain character in Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minster, and Big Panda, a recent adoptee, who is made by the same company as Peter, but is bigger.  Plus he doesn't seemed to have been loved as much as he is still quite plush!



Saturday, 7 December 2013

Advent Day Seven


The little ornaments are increasing on the wooden Advent tree.  Today's was a little snowman.


It seems that finally another member of the family has got into the spirit of the Christmas elf, as today when I got up to move him, he had already moved!


I discovered him sitting on the roof of the dolls house.


A rose for December...I braved the cold this morning to take this photo.


Oh and the woodpecker came back for another visit yesterday afternoon.


Friday, 6 December 2013

Advent Day Six


Another little tree today to add to the Advent tree.


The elf seems to be sitting on Elfred's knee today...Elfred looks especially happy with the smile on his face.


Glancing to my left this morning as I sat at the computer I saw a woodpecker on the feeders through the patio door.  I was lucky enough to get one shot of him before he flew off!