Carpets of Blue and Other Miscellanea

I figure that the one thing they can't take away from us is the outside world at the moment; you aren't likely to pick up anything out there and I will continue to get out and about, for the sake of my sanity as much as anything else.

It might help cheer up other folk as well. Frankly during the day at work I am in such a state sometimes I don't know what to think.

Just stay safe as much as you can, especially those of you who are vulnerable!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 13.03.20

What a Handsome Fellow!

So, many wanderings and sights over the weekend which I will bring to you over the next few days.

First up, yesterday I had my first ever sighting of the Blue Lake mandarin drake on land as I mooched around the water looking for goosander which I think have now headed off to their breeding sites. He was just wandering around feeding off the saturated grassland with a female mallard.

As you can see, he was looking very beautiful.

He is quite a skittish fellow on water, knowing when he is being photographed and shooting off from close inshore while you get your phone out and try and photograph him. On land, he was slightly calmer, but still wary but I was able to get a closer shot than normal.

A toddler then spotted this wondrous looking bird, and came charging in, at which point he took to the air with a slightly clockwork toy method of flight.

But I got my photos before he did!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 10.03.20

And now Spring has Sprung

Today was the day I saw my first butterfly of the year.

It wasn't a great sighting, a dark shape battling against the wind. But I guess it, and as it turned out many other insects, felt the temperature break double figures and decided to make their way into the world.

Like I said, too far away to properly ID but probably a peacock from the dark underwings.

Lots more honeybees were out today down by the locks, and one garden plant brought me two ladybirds, a wolf spider, and a shield bug within 6 inches of each other, although the householder might have been rather alarmed to see me bending right over the front wall to take pictures!

A big buff tailed bumble queen then slowly buzzed past me, perhaps looking for a nest hole for the new colony.

I hope it was more successful than I was at bowling and batting tonight.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 08.03.20

Today the Bees are out Hooray!

I went for a walk to the park this morning, as is my habit, and when I made my way along the bright yellow lock gardens, photographing the cowslips there, I came across a golden flash, and lo and behold a bee landed on the cowslips and began to feed!

First honeybee of the year, and a bee far too busy to be photographed! It moved across to have a go at the primroses, then flew off into the locked garden proper.

There was another on the blossom in the park, another speedy bee went past, again not interested in posing for a photo. But it was on the strange setting on a concrete windowsill, that a bee stopped for a quick rest in the sun. It was no wonder that it needed one, as its saddlebags were looking rather heavy, but it meant that I was able to really test out my newish cameraphone and I'm rather pleased at the results.

When I was walking in the afternoon, the sun had gone, and the wind had got up so no more buzzers on the wing. I went out to our cricket ground, and it's still a lake, decorated by the wreck of our club captain's old car that was wrecked by the floods, and then broken into with an angle grinder.

I hope everyone is still well, take care out there.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 07.03.20

Hello Ladybug!

While we have plenty of flowers on the go, the weather has been far too stormy in February, and far too chilly in March so far.

But out in the sun today, with the freezing wind finally dropped away, it has been very pleasant and I figured that I might just find a bee on the rosemary that grows in the cultivated garden at the entrance to my workplace.

It's a lovely food source for early season pollinators.

There were no bees, and I was initially disappointed. But after a few moments I spotted a tiny flash of red among the blue flowers.

It was a 7 spot ladybird out enjoying the sun, our most common native species, and how pleased I was to see such a sight after what has been a very tough couple of months weatherwise.

I intend to be out tomorrow, and I hope that there are more sights to see. Perhaps, with enough sun, the first yellow flash of a brimstone butterfly might grace my sight.

We shall see.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 06.03.20

Trekking to Coddington

Trekking! Ha! That's probably far too grandiose a word for what I've been up to today, but it was still a decent 7 mile trek, on what was actually a very pleasant day now the wind has dropped; it actually felt a bit too warm to be wearing my fleece and my padded jacket.

An insect flew by my head quickly at one point, but I've got no idea what it might have been.

The walk was further illuminated by a happy doggo pleased to see me, and the fields by the windmill were a beatiful red colour, brought about by some agricultural procedure unknown to me.

There are other new flowers out now; violet and lungwort (I think), and the gardens of the cute cottages are filled with primrose.

These are scary times I guess, and it is causing me a lot of anxiety. I figure that I'm not going to catch anything in the open air on my own, so walking is a pleasure that is not to be denied me.

Si

The Town Lock Gardens

It's been another stormy day, with a freezing wind cutting through coats and gloves in the outside world. However we have been spared any rain today, and although as you can see below the river is still angry, it made being outside just a little more bearable.

The town lock gardens, although not yet open to the public, have a fantastic border next to the lock  - and less romantically the sanitation station - and it has provided stunning colour during these grey days.

In other news bowling in the nets is making my knee bloody sore.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 01.03.20