Woo-Hoo - Bristol Zoo

So I have had an exciting weekend away visiting my sister, in a warm, sunny and very hip Bristol.

One of the conditions for my visit was that I was allowed to treat her to a visit to Bristol Zoo, a conservation zoo founded over 150 years ago and located down the hill - a long way down the hill as it turned out - from Clifton Suspension Bridge of which more later.

It was a very hot day, and this tended to make the animals rather torpid although I don't think the pride of place two asiatic lions needed much of an excuse to flake out, to be honest.

It's a long time since I've been to a zoo - probably over 20 years at least, and things have changed greatly in this time. Bristol Zoo is no longer about having the big marquee animals like elephants, big cats and other mega-fauna, but rather perhaps less glamorous species in need of conservation. Animals are sourced from rescues or other collections, no longer the wild, and the rarest creature in the place is a species of snail now classed as extinct.

However, that isn't to say there aren't some very striking animals present, and on a hot day like Easter Sunday all manner of of families were out there to see them, followed by crowds of jackdaws looking out for dropped beefburgers.

The highiight for both me and my sister was probably the penguin and seal enclosures. The penguin enclosure has a number of african penguins pottering about, but also a squadron of stunning black and grey terns that swoop around your head screaming.

We met the seals just in time for tea-time. At the sound of a whistle all 4 of these beautiful creatures stopped swimming and leapt 5 feet out of the water onto their appointed rocks, to be given mackerel in exchange for performing moves that while keeping the crowd entertained - diving, spinning on the spot, raising fins or barking - enable their keepers to assess the health of the animal.

Sentimental visitors would have enjoyed the fact that the lemurs and the golden lion tamarinds had babies. No weepies or cooing from me though, I'm made of sterner stuff. Indeed my favourite individual animal was the big silverback gorilla, who sat with his back to the visitors and deliberately refused to allow any photo opportunities of his face. My spirit animal!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 22.04.19

Flowers are Pink, Face is Pink

Despite bowling for an hour and a half in cricket nets last night, for some reason I though it would be a good idea to have a run to the park this morning, under a warm morning sun.

My foot was rather sore, and my legs were so stiff after yesterday then it was a very slow trudge round the park to Rumbles, and then on through town to home. Only about 6.5km - my Strava has decided it doesn't want to save my runs any more so I can't be more specific - but it felt about twice as far.

I need to do it, as I feel very flabby and unfit at the moment.

What is good at this time of year is the diverse number of insect species you get in the air as Spring begins to warm up. On the butterfly front I've seen orange tip, brimstone, small white, peacock, small tort and holly blue, and there are all manner of solitary bees out and about too.

So much to see!

I also appear to have nesting long tailed tits somewhere around my garden area, judging by the solitary one I saw scooting around the  undergrowth. I have also caught a bit of sun, judging by my pink face.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 18.04.19

Fire in the Town!

Well, our town is famous today, being on TV and all, because of the huge scrap yard fire that started at about 1130am on the outskirts of town, sending a huge pall of dirty, stinging smoke into the air.

Apparently the warning went out for people to remain indoors and shut their windows in affected areas, but I never heard anything, nor did my mates at the cricket club as we had our first outdoor practice session of the year as the cloud of smoke rumbled past the ground.

Even away from down-wind, you could taste and smell the chemicals in the air, and your eyes smarted somewhat.

The fire is ongoing, and is not expected to be put out until tomorrow.

Happily, before that, I did manage to get a nice shot of a small tortoiseshell in the library gardens, on a really nice spring and non-toxic morning.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 17.04.19

Another Older Raleigh Bicycle

I came across this senior bicycle advertising a cafe at the sheltered accomodation next to the sports centre.

Always feel rather sorry for them, shackled permanently to promote something rather than being ridden free in the countryside, but I always like to see the Raleigh heron on view, hopefully one that was made at the great factory in Nottingham.

Fetishised though they are, steel bikes have a beauty that carbon cannot match,

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 16.04.19

A Gorgeous Ruby Tiger

So it was a bright day today, and once the morning chill had gone, a gorgeous one too.

The afternoon was spent making viewings of flats; all much of a muchness and do any flats have access to old fashioned TV aerials any more? The morning was a much happier 7km trundle around  the cemetery and then onto Grange Fields bridleway.

It was on the bridleway where I spotted a stunning crimson moth warming itself up so I had a chance to take a photograph. I later got this beauty identified as a ruby tiger moth, a common day flying moth, although  not so common I've ever seen one before.

Pleased to have captured it for posterity.

Loads of tawny mining bees were around too, got a good shot of a male but lots of the gaudier females around  too. Bright peacocks and tired looking small tortoiseshells also around, but no brimstones  today.

A bit of work tomorrow, then some time off just as the weather warms up.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 15.04.19

Last Indoor Cricket Practice of 2019

So after 10 weeks, today marked the last of our indoor net sessions at Newark R and M cricket club. I've been to every session, and there's only a few that have so I suppose I can congratulate myself on my commitment, if not my talent.

I hope it helps with the upcoming season, which will start for me with a friendly on the 28th April. I've been bowling ok and batting ok, but haven't done any fielding practice yet - always a tricky skill for me!

I was knackered after today's session, I really was, I expend a lot of energy on not bowling terribly quickly, while trying not to be jealous of the 13 year olds who have far more natural talent than I will ever have.

Ah well, my job is not to be the star. But you never know.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 14.09.19

Exhausted Beyond All Measure

Not sure what is up with my body today, I didn't have any kind of heavy night last night but I woke up late, and after going to the park and having my usual cup of tea, and then doing some very unexciting shopping and window hunting for flats, I came home for lunch with plans for my afternoon...

...and fell asleep for three hours, with brief periods of wakefulness where I could barely move a muscle.

Well it was a very busy week at work! And I did get to have a big old blast on my exercise bike after tea. I'll be fine tomorrow, and soon be seeing my sister.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 13.04.19