Growing up!

The coaches returned from France last night and, at 22.40 disgorged their young passengers at the school. The delay was caused by the ferry being late leaving Boulogne! An exciting day had been had by all but both J and I were glad to be in bed having been up since 5.00 a.m.

And today - up with the lark as it is a very special day in J's life - it's his Birthday so:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU J :D
(last one before being a TEENAGER!!)

When I was in Bushy yesterday, I came across several Red Deer. The new Mums and their offspring are become a tad more confident now.

This one was being given a wash by Mum and, unlike most youngsters, seemed to enjoy the experience.



Further over in the park, this young Fawn and its Mum were away from the rest of the herd; the Fawn was growing in confidence and did leave its mother's side now and then. I stood for sometime and then sat on the grass - just watching. After a while, the pair became confident that I posed no threat and were happy to carry on with their lives whilst I sat and watched.

As the camera focused, the audible "beep" was heard and the little one raised its head to look. Again, no threat felt or observed so it carried on.






I'd sat for a good time and felt privileged to be trusted by the wild deer who were so relaxed. A really wonderful time spent.

This and that...

For one reason or another, I've not been out and about much over the last few days.

The Nuthatch has been putting in one or two appearances in the garden; I shall have to re-site the peanut feeder as it's always in the shade of the trees.




This morning my Grandson and I were up at 5.00 a.m. I was very impressed that J woke up and got out of bed when hearing the alarm - and no prompting! We were at school by 6.00 a.m. as today it's the year trip to France. I'm to pick him up at the school at 10.00 p.m. ish! I shall be setting my mobile phone's alarm - just in case!

Had a wander around Bushy Park this afternoon. Dull day weather wise and very windy.

Mothers and children were feeding the birds bread as usual, and this Jackdaw had his share!



Grey Herons seemed to predominate in terms of birds today. This one, standing on the "No Fishing" signpost (it hasn't learned to read yet!), managed to be tipped off balance by a gust of wind.


He regained his balance and continued to preen.

In the Woodlands Gardens, my first sighting of a Pied Wagtail youngster on the bank. He flew over to the other side and perched - too far away for more than a record shot.



Now I just need to keep going until I go off to collect the young traveller later this evening.
YAWN!!

A Grand day

This morning we had homework to do. Grandson J did the clever stuff - Maths - and I had the easy bit - clearing out blanket weed from the pond. Well - I did do some but then got side-tracked watching the birds in the garden.

I still have families of Great and Blue Tits visiting. Today I had two Greenfinch youngsters, a visit from a Nuthatch (lovely) and, being a warm day, a Banded Demoisoille flew across the pond - great surprise!

When I got back to looking at the pond, the wildlife there was interesting too.
Frogs (three in all) were using the Lily leaves as sunshades from the warm sun.


Blue and Large Red Damselflies flitted busily about looking for an egg-laying site.

This hover fly (I think?) was one of about four that stopped on the lily leaves to drink


And this wonderful moth landed on something J was using, in the garden.
(This picture really benefits from being enlarged by clicking on it - its markings are interesting)
If anyone can identify this, I would be grateful. I can't find it in my rather limited moth book!)

Edited:
Maurice has kindly suggested that this is a "Crambus lathoniellus" moth and I'm inclined to agree with him based on the visual comparison, the time of year when found, and the location - the grass in my back garden!

Homework was done and dusted so after an early lunch we headed off for the London Wetland Centre at Barnes.

Birds were scarce and what was about was quiet in the afternoon sun.
Orchids abounded


Grey Herons everywhere but this one was walking about and fishing

Coots seem to be everywhere you look these days and this Mother and Child were no exception

A Black Tailed Skimmer landed on the path in front of us so I grabbed a quick shot.
(EDIT: I'd originally identified this as a Broad Bodied Chaser and thanks to Maurice for his correction. It's really obvious when you look at the book and ID it correctly! Thanks Maurice :)

A female mallard - the markings always delight me, was sunning herself

with her partner next to her

These two captive cranes came through the enclosure to have a drink. There are now two areas where these are and these are the most recent additions.

And sculptures were everywhere it seemed. All of the following have been made from recycled materials.

Entitled "The Twitcher"

"Redshank" made from various bits and ieces including Venetian Blinds!

"Cycling fish" fashioned from bicycles and cogs



Not sure what this was made from!

and this bird - all plastic bags and bicycle wheel rims!

A "Swanbrella" made from white plastic bags and an umbrella handle!

and finally - a Grey Heron

Another lovely day in the sun. And tomorrow - is Monday!

Another day....

An oddment day today. My Grandson is staying with me this weekend, as my daughter has yet another weekend of nightshifts - thinking of you SPD!

We went shopping for trousers for J today - something he did not enjoy and I'd forgotten what it was like to shop for clothes for boys - with the boy in question. Ah - memories!

After we'd found some we think are OK (his Mum will be the final judge), we came home for a quick sandwich and then went to my local Pet Supplies to buy some Sunflower Hearts. Shock - horror - they no longer stock them as the price has (in their view) risen too much. They have referred me to somewhere else where I can buy in larger quantities but they're out of stock until mid-week.

So we needed some exercise (at least I determined with both needed exercise which was not necessarily a shared opinion :D) and went for a walk around Bushy Park - this being the nearest and most convenient from our last venue!

Very little about except some sleepy Mallards and, more active coots. In fact, at one point, I wondered why I'd carried the camera about. A large Dragonfly skimmed across on of the ponds but too far away to consider for a picture.

On my last visit to Painshill, I took this shot of the Chinese Bridge - just because I like the reflections. On the far side of the Bridge the lake opens out and this is where you'll find the Great Crested Grebes - or Grebe as it is at the moment!

One the of many Greylag Goose goslings now growing up - losing it's "fluffy" feathers and gaining it's adult plumage.

In Bushy today, this Fallow Buck was sporting his new antlers. I do like the velvety look of the new growth and those wonderful doleful eyes!

The Jackdaws were ever present but in the warmth of the afternoon sun weren't moving about much.



And finally, I acquiesced and we came home. A short but pleasant walk.

It rained yesterday...

Wednesday - and heavy rain woke me in the early morning. I sank back down under the duvet!

After a depressing morning, the rain stopped by about 2.00 p.m. so undeterred and in dire need of some exercise and fresh air, I headed off to Bushy Park.

Had a walk around the large pond; the cygnets were dozing after their soaking in the morning.

A Tufty was being lazy and resting on the Boating pond

Near one of the streams, a female Mandarin was contemplating life

and in the Woodland Gardens this one (of five) male Mandarins was already losing his feathers and going into eclipse!

One of the last remaining rhododendron blooms for this Spring

The squirrels were out in force and this one was very much "well if I don't look at the camera, it won't see me"

Further along this one was scurrying along a fallen branch

and yet another Mandarin looking very bald and sorry for himself!

When you enter the woodland gardens, you walk underneath a large area of Gunnera. Most of it reached high above me and looking up, the sunlight is seen through the large leaves

A new leaf is opening out

Whilst some have only just emerged as buds

The Woodland Gardens are fenced off to prevent damage from deer eating the plants. Unfortunately, this Red Deer hind must have not been attending the briefing as to where, and where not, deer are allowed to go.

It seemed as though it was snowing with some of the trees covered in these "cotton like" seeds

and several had landed on the water where they floated

This was the tree that produced the seeds
(If anyone can ID it, I would be grateful :D)

A very young Moorhen, sat on a Lily leaf whilst looking to be fed

Alarm calls from a few birds alerted me.... the cause being this fox deep in the undergrowth

Back out into the main park, these Mallard ducklings were snoozing on the opposite side of the bank

A Grey Heron hiding behind the grasses

Several notices are posted around the popular dog-walking areas, asking for dogs to be kept on leads for the moment. The Hinds and Does are giving birth to their young and currently are nervous as the bracken isn't always high enough to hide the little ones.

I came across a small herd of Red Deer females and they had young ones with them. Mostly hidden in the bracken, but I did manage the occasional glimpse.

This one seemed bigger and was much different in colour


Four fawns were playing deep in the bracken and crossing the stream. As this one paused I managed to get a shot of it whilst it investigated the grass on the stream edge.

A Grey Heron flew past me and landed high up in the tree - just above a coot's nest!

As I walked back to the car, I met a friend so we stopped for a chat and a cuppa. A large flock of Starlings were wheeling about so eventually I went over to investigate.

This represents about 1/3rd of them!


And today? Thursday. I had to go back to Painshill to see if I could find the second Great Crested Grebe. Whilst I had a good walk, I could still only find the one solitary bird. Today it was in exactly the same spot as usual but not calling much at all.

I think we both have to accept that it's partner has gone. Hopefully, just flown away to find somewhere else to live!

The damsels and dragons weren't too evident today albeit the sun was shining. Perhaps I was too late in the day. However, I did spot this female Banded Demoiselle.


So off to the supermarket, where I was going before I got side tracked into nipping into Painshill and investigating Grebes!