Frog #30dayswild 16

I may have a thing for frogs ....

(warning - if you don't - don't scroll down!!)

 

#staywild #30dayswild  Rana temporaria

Song #30dayswild 15

Our seasons are punctuated by the sounds of birds -

Cheeky Robins and garrulous Blackbirds through out winter.

The quick flit flight of the Wren with it's remarkably loud song,

the Swifts in late spring, early summer - screaming through the sky,

the Swallows in early summer, twittering on telephone lines.

Cuckoos early to mid summer - a fleeting call in distant trees.

Starlings and the few Sparrows tussle and argue all year through,

Oystercatchers chortling over head along the rivers and

Lapwings and Curlews hauntingly crying over head ......

.....and the piercing repetitive monotone wheezy whistle of the Greenfinch all through summer.

 

 

That to me is the sound of summer in our garden!

What birds punctuate your year?

Do you 'time' your calendar by their appearance?

Picnic #30dayswild 12 &13

We felt almost 'naughty' as we jumped into our van (Zeb)

and drove out for a micro-adventure.

Himself had rung ahead to our favourite fish and chip shop

and pre-ordered so that we did not have to queue. Much safer that way.

Then we drove to the Leeds Liverpool canal 

with such silly grins on our faces.

Our evening picnic tasted the best,

the view was the most beautiful,

the reflections sublime.

We were the only ones there.

A few dog walkers on the tow path, 

But just us on the lock.

Social distancing.

Moss was in doggy heaven,

swimming and playing.

She had missed being out too.

 She leapt in so many times,

happy dog.

 We listened with a shiver of delight

to the rolling thunder.

 We watched the clouds fly up,

thunder and lightening filling the sky.

We decided, that as wonderful as our picnic was,

retreat was the tactical (and drier) option.

So, still with silly grins and a happy spring in our steps

we returned to Zeb (his story is for another day)

Something so simple as a drive out in the evening,

a gentle walk along the canal,

an electric sky

brought a song to my soul.

Stay safe xx

#staywild #30dayswild #walk1000miles

Nectar #30dayswild 11

Not just for bumblebees (or any bees for that matter)

Red clover has the sweetest nectar at the base of each of the small red flowers.

One quick sip 

gives the smallest shot of sweetness 

Perfect when out walking. 

White clover is preferred by honeybees,

bumblebees with the longer tongues 

hone in on this little grassland flower.

Definitely worth not mowing the lawn or verges

such a wonderful food source

for bees.

#staywild #30dayswild #bees #bumblebees

Little Owl #30dayswild 10

Walked yesterday with Moss (obviously) and a dear friend. We used to meet once a week before everything changed and we'd walk and talk and set the world to rights. Then for about three months, like everyone and everything, we had to stop.

Yesterday, we met, kept at a socially acceptable anti-social distance from each other and we walked over seven miles up hills, over moors and through woodlands. It was wonderful - we picked up where we left off - still setting the world to rights but this time we added post CV19 and present #BLM to our conversations.

Moss was just happy to be out.

Along the way we were stopped in our tracks by a Little Owl -  it watched us as we watched back - then quite nonchalantly it turned it's head and flew off searching for lunch. We stood there in total silence, both pleased and delighted to have seen this little bird. 

Birds seen:

Curlew, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Skylark,  Magpie, Rook, Crow, Wood Pigeon, Chaffinch, Gold Finch, Gulls, Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipit. I am sure we saw more but did not actively register what they were, however I am happy to say, we did hear a Cuckoo :)

#staywild #walk1000miles #30dayswild

Before I forget - my dear walking companion turns 83 this year .....

Reverting #30dayswild 9

A short while ago, a farm - not a big one, on the outskirts of the village, was sold when the elderly owners retired. The new owners, quick to see profit in converting all the barns into desirable and definitely NOT affordable housing almost immediately started building.

The large barn very soon became two rather expensive houses with 'land' attached. The grounds - still zoned as agricultural can not be gardened and as such are just self grandiositising - creating the image of landed gentry. The dwellings, unsurprisingly remained unsold for quite a while with one suddenly being purchased. With in a couple of weeks, some rather pretty hens appeared and were given free range of the property and were soon followed by three 'micro-ponies' - I suspect they are Falabella - (since typing this - three more have turned up, now they have six 'micro-ponies' keeping the lawn short). Ranch fencing and mini stables were erected a bit later.  The second property remains unsold - probably not helped by the present lock down conditions however what has happened whilst the world has 'stopped'.... nature is taking back what is hers.

The surrounding land is damp, filled with reeds and tufty grass and the original owners used to regularly mow, spray, drain the land and fill it with sheep. Now, having been fallow for about a year - it is full of long purple moor grass, reeds, buttercups, daisies and various damp weedy naturalised plants. The bird life seems more vibrant, bees and hover flies abound as do dragon flies and butterflies.

It has a joyous exuberant feel to the space

full of hope and optimism.

I hope the eventual new owner sees the value of the wildness

and keeps it that way.

Sadly, I suspect not.

#staywild #30dayswild

Clouds #30DaysWild 7 & 8

An evening walk for Moss -

 cool and crisp with otherworldly alien clouds.

 

 Quietly drifting in almost still air,

strange ships catching the last of the evening light,

 Glowing with an inner light,

these huge voluminous weighty scows

constantly reshaped and  moved towards the horizon.

The sun sunk lower, the colours deepened...

 and faded.

Time to head for home, the kettle was calling and Moss had played and run to her heart's content.

#staywild  #30dayswild