Young birds about still at London Wetland Centre

It's a strange thing but I find I have to be in the "right" mood for pictures. I've been out for a couple of days with my grandson (pictures to follow) and today on my own, I went over to Barnes. It was extremely quiet in terms of wildlife and humans! But somehow, I just couldn't get in that "creative" frame of mind for pictures. I hope it comes back soon!

A sleepy young Tufted Duck dozed in the sun (yes... we had some!)

Although it was very quiet, it was great to watch a family of young Reed Warblers being fed by parent. I couldn't get any pictures of that event as they dropped right down in the reeds, but one of the youngsters did pop up briefly to allow a picture of it.

Around in the Wildside a Little Grebe chick was having lunch from Mum/Dad

Insects buzzed about.

And over in Bushy Park, in the usual spot, a pair of Banded Demoiselles became friendly.

and this Long-tailed Tit (one of about 5) paused briefly overhead..


The flowers in the Wildflower meadow at Barnes, really sang out with a zing!

and a few flutters.

A shortish day out today.... hopefully more of my "school holiday" outings ere too long...:)

Michaelangelo Quartet, a garden and some architecture

Today was the day for another concert at Wigmore Hall. I duly met Pete and we started off in the Phoenix Gardens (as recommended by Pete). Well worth the visit. A small attractive garden to attract wildlife right in the middle of high rise buildings not far from Tottenham Court Road.

These side balconies overlooked the gardens and made their own contribution to growing things!

On our way out, reflections in plate glass windows high up on the sides of buildings.

The orange here is from the building opposite and is just a reflection.

From there we had a wander in the direction of Wigmore Street and stopped in Soho Gardens

By now I was in need of coffee so we stopped at a well-known emporium and I realised I was hungry... so I had a Choccie Muffin (what high cholesterol??) and it was very nice... Pete was very good and just had a drink.

London's architecture and the mix of ancient (well old) and modern never fails to surprise me and catch my interest.

And in amongst all the decorative stonework is decorative glass work of a different era!

and back again.

The concert was excellent with the Michaelangelo Quartet playing Beethoven and Dvorak.

A pizza for lunch and then home in brilliant sunshine...

an excellent day :D

This and that....

I've been a bit distracted with one thing or another recently and haven't managed to get out with the camera much; mostly this is because of all the wet stuff.

The other day I had a walk in Bushy despite the rain! This handsome chappie was having a snack and his antlers are beginning to look beautifully velvety - getting ready for the Autumn rut.

This Acer looks as though it's getting Autumn colour too; don't know where we are with the seasons at the moment!

At the London Wetland Centre today this young Tufted Duck (one of two) was preening on a lily leaf after bobbing up from the water. How they manage to dive down, and stay down, given they are so light, is amazing!

And we saw a Kestrel fly over the hide; rushing outside I just managed a shot (totally inappropriate camera settings) before it flew off.

Well folks (as they say) that's it for the moment; hopefully life will get back on track before too long.....

Flora atLondon Wetland Centre

Well... anyone living in the UK will probably be as fed up as I am with this constant rain. The month of July here has been wetter than the traditional wet April... Hopefully we might get a bit of summer in August.. everything tightly crossed eh...

I had a wander around London Wetland Centre yesterday morning. Very light on birds but that's not unusual for this time of the year.

The flowers and colour there are wonderful and congrats to all the gardeners that make the flowers beds/borders so beautiful to look at and enjoy.

It's not only the homo-sapiens that enjoy the abundant flora

Further around the and six-spot Burnet are still evolving

A Moorhen preened..

I was standing very still trying to see what the "little brown job" was flitting through the trees. All was quiet - until - two ladies came along towards me as I stood with the camera poised. They were talking very loudly "Oh what have you seen" they called out to me!! I stated (in a hushed tone) that it was a young robin - they stood in front of me and the camera to have a closer look. I managed to grab a shot between their shoulders before the robin (no doubt alarmed by the bright red of one lady's dress and/or the black dress with bright and large pink spots of the other) shot off across the path into a neighbouring bush.

It was to be a noisy day. As I walked back along the Wildside several large groups of school children were approaching. In amongst them walking towards me was a female Mallard with her 10 children!! The teachers got the (human) children to stand still while Mother Mallard and her brood walked through us all rushing off through the trees to seek sanctuary.

I went from there to Bushy Park but within 10 minutes or so the sun was covered in black cloud the rain soaked me through yet again. Time to go home and change!