Indeed @wild edges. I think you're getting some over the next few days though. We didn't get the worst of it here where I am. The usual problems with Argyll and Bute as the R and be Thankful was hideous with 12 tonnes of 'hill' on it. Opened yesterday. The 60 mile diversion was compromised too with landslides, so people were advised not to travel - couldn't get anywhere safely. It then spread into the north east, the 'dry' part of Scotland. Millions of pound of veg crops knackered. Fortunately, the grain crops up there were all got in safely. It was nice to see some blue sky and some sun for a while yesterday.
I think Mr Nuthatch was pleased that the new supply of sunflower hearts arrived yesterday. Face like a well skelped a*se when they were running out and there was only the seed mix. I was enjoying the watery sun, on the bench with a cuppa, when a bird swooped in past that feeder, flew past me a few feet away, and circled round and out the garden over the back fence. Sparrowhawk. Fortunately all the little birds were fine.... It's certainly astonishing what those little birds eat @NormandyLiz. We have loads of coal, great and blue tits, dunnocks and sparrows here. A lot of seed rots before it gets a chance to dry and ripen properly, so I expect that's part of the reason my feeders have been a bit busier than normal. Great entertainment just now.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
In the way of a "Flying Ant Day", this has been a "Hot Worm Night". Going out with a torch tonight all the earth in the garden was writhing; worms splayed all over the patio, some fully out of their vertical burrows. It's like a 1982 LA pool party. The weather is very warm and very wet - perfect conditions for emergence to mate, despite their very vulnerable position, so exposed to predators. They are called 'nightcrawlers' in the US, and "rain worms" in many languages, I can see why. Obviously, I am delighted for them to get lovedrunk and let it all hang out, as it will mean lots of new baby worms and more worm poo, enriching the garden soil. I quietly left them to their concupiscence and went inside, feeling that it was a scene not really meant for my eyes.
I saw a lovely sight when I visited my parents in Bristol yesterday, a fox on the roof of their neighbour’s garage. Their garden was home to a family of foxes during the spring so for my parents it’s very normal to see foxes trotting around in daylight. We never see foxes where we live in rural Devon, rural foxes are obviously a lot more secretive than street wise city foxes. Not a very good photo I’m afraid as I quickly grabbed my iPad when I saw him.
Well spotted, @CatDouch. I'm not sure I'd ever have thought of looking on a roof for a fox!
This little chap was sitting outside the house last night, undoubtedly unimpressed by my having just slung a pot of (his) slugs into the field.
One shot is a bit iffy, it was very dark and he was only light by the garage light, plus I didn't want to set up the tripod and annoy him longer than necessary.
I was watching an otter at the river today. I managed to sneak up behind him as he was working his way upstream but a dog walker came past before I could get a good photo. Still lovely to see them up here though.
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
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We didn't get the worst of it here where I am. The usual problems with Argyll and Bute as the R and be Thankful was hideous with 12 tonnes of 'hill' on it. Opened yesterday. The 60 mile diversion was compromised too with landslides, so people were advised not to travel - couldn't get anywhere safely. It then spread into the north east, the 'dry' part of Scotland. Millions of pound of veg crops knackered. Fortunately, the grain crops up there were all got in safely. It was nice to see some blue sky and some sun for a while yesterday.
I think Mr Nuthatch was pleased that the new supply of sunflower hearts arrived yesterday. Face like a well skelped a*se when they were running out and there was only the seed mix. I was enjoying the watery sun, on the bench with a cuppa, when a bird swooped in past that feeder, flew past me a few feet away, and circled round and out the garden over the back fence. Sparrowhawk. Fortunately all the little birds were fine....
It's certainly astonishing what those little birds eat @NormandyLiz. We have loads of coal, great and blue tits, dunnocks and sparrows here. A lot of seed rots before it gets a chance to dry and ripen properly, so I expect that's part of the reason my feeders have been a bit busier than normal. Great entertainment just now.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
This little chap was sitting outside the house last night, undoubtedly unimpressed by my having just slung a pot of (his) slugs into the field.
One shot is a bit iffy, it was very dark and he was only light by the garage light, plus I didn't want to set up the tripod and annoy him longer than necessary.