Yvonne
Spring has definitely sprung, in my small corner of Somerset, UK. The weather has turned decidedly balmy, the spring flowers are showing their colours with glorious abandon in the more sheltered sunny spots, buds are appearing on the trees and the birds are in full seasonal song, as they prepare for the annual nest building ritual.
Our house backs on to a bridle track and lightly wooded lane, which is home to many species of birds and wildlife, who regularly visit our garden, for their daily feast and watering hole.
A week or so ago, we were surprised and elated to see a pair of deer, grazing and relaxing on the sun dappled, far bank of the lane, seemingly without a care in the world. This is the first time in the twenty odd years that we have lived here, that we have witnessed this phenomenon. Muntjac deer are quite a common site in the rolling fields whch surround the area, but this was a pair of Fallow deer, with the male sporting a complete set of very large antlers, so needless to say the camera came out. Unfortunately, they were just that little bit too far way for us to get a clear photo opportunity, blending in as well as they did, with the many trunks and branches of the barren trees.
They stayed with us for three or four days, before wandering on to pastures new, for which, in some ways, we were quite grateful. Whilst they were often obscured from our prying eyes, and were seemingly unconcerned by the many cats and other creatures, that ventured closer to get a look at the new arrivals, they were nonetheless in a very vulnerable and exposed position, for hunters of the two-legged variety, who regularly frequent the lane with their air-rifles, hoping to bag a pigeon or pheasant. A deer would have made quite a trophy, so a move to a more sheltered and hidden position, seemed to us, a good move for them, although we were sorry to see them go.
Yesterday morning, at about 6am, I was treated to an amazing chorus of birdsong, that seemed unusual, but which I was unable to identify. Happening to look out of the kitchen window a little later, I was witness to my own private concert, as the songster was perched on the fence, not a couple of metres from the window, singing his heart out. For just that few seconds, my seranader gave away his identity, a very proud and upright Song Thrush, who disappeared as quickly as he had arrived, leaving me with the perfect photo opportunity and a happy, cheerful start, to this early spring day…
Yes, even here within the city boundaries, you can definitely feel the difference this week. There is a subtle shift in the light that suddenly makes you realise that whatever might happen (and we did have a frost this morning) the worst is behind us. I even found myself thinking that I might go over to our department in Stratford early tomorrow so that I could have a lunchtime picnic on the river bank and not even Shakespeare’s birthday yet!
Hello Annie,
A lunchtime, riverside picnic sounds like a brilliant idea, it’s supposed to be another glorious day tomorrow.
I haven’t been to Stratford for years, not since we lived up in the Cotswolds, at Carterton, when my husband was in the RAF and stationed at Brize Norton.
We did get up as far as Moreton-In-Marsh last year and it was a struggle to get Mr. G away from the estate agents window! We both love the area, but these days the disparity in house prices between Somerset and Oxfordshire, makes moving prohibitive. I also have to admit that I quite like only being an hour or so from so many coastal areas, which was a great drawback when we lived in Oxon.
Typically, it cools down considerably over the weekend, but at least it is set to stay dry.
Clocks go forward this weekend as well, so it will be even lighter in the evenings.
A wonderful capture!
6am? I’m usually still in bed then. I keep meaning to try & capture a sunrise… Maybe next week when I don’t have work to worry about 🙂
Hi Nikki,
Not my doing unfortunately, you would never have made out what it was if I had taken the picture. I use the expression ‘me’ metaphorically speaking.
I am definitely a morning person and the alarm normally sounds at about 5am if I am going out, or a little later if not. Hubbie is normally in a deep sleep at that time, having him up and about at 6am is quite an event.
I guess from your comment that you are on holiday next week, so I hope that you have a good one, whatever you decide to do.
Hi Yvonne,
Yes, I’ve booked this coming week off work. I have various plans (like I’m planning to spend one day with books and DVDs, as well as maybe a couple of day trips somewhere and meeting up with friends), however my nephew is due tomorrow (and could come at any time), so I may have to drop everything to look after my niece (which is always a pleasure).
Hi Nikki-ann,
Hope things happen on the baby front soon. Would probably be better if it happened whilst you are on holiday, at least then you can take care of your niece without being rushed.
It has been such glorious weather over the last few days, so I hope that it continues for you into this week as well.
You always feel better for meeting with people and getting out for a few hours. We met with family yesterday in Swindon and went on a ‘TreasureTrail’. Stopped in a small village with a green and a beautiful pub, sat outside and had a drink in the sunshine. All met with more friends in the evening and went for a meal in a new Italian restaurant. To say they had teething problems with kitchen and waiting staff, is putting it mildly. If it hadn’t been so comical that we couldn’t stop laughing, we would have cried. Turned into a fantastic night out, although very late home, after an hour and a half drive.
Enjoy your week off whatever you do.
Spring has definitely sprung hasn’t it? It’s so lovely at the moment… I actually prefer this to the heat of the summer. I would be quite happy, I think, with this sort of weather all year.
And how lovely that you were treated to the company of deer for several days!
Oh, is it this weekend the clocks go forward? I was wondering when it was. I’m not so keen on that as for a few weeks getting up at 6.45 on the days we have our grandson will feel very early…
Hi Cath,
I agree that the weather conditions we have had in this part of the world over the last few days, are much more agreeable than the high summer temperatures we have been experiencing over the last few years, this is much more to my liking.
I’m not too keen on the clocks going forward either. As I am usually up and about just after 5am on most days, losing that extra hour is quite a shock to the system!
Hopefully our deer have found a more suitable abode, that is not quite so exposed, but it was lovely to see them so relaxed and seemingly without a care in the world.