I found this four-leaf clover today.
I admit that it looks as though it has seen better days,
but it has already brought me
some good luck...
...for on today's walk I spotted these little dots
and managed to snatch
a photograph
just before their mama hid them in the bank
of the Great Eau.
The weather is cold, damp and gloomy
but the hedgerows are
filled with the golden buttercups
and red campion.
I found this fairy door...
... and my good fortune continued,
for I found these two families
on the fish pond.
Moments later a large and beautiful Barn Owl flew out of the trees,
a mere fifteen feet away from me,
she had a young rat in her mouth.
It was an incredible sight - no time to get a photograph, alas.
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| Image by dries gaerdelen |
Home Sweet Home!
However, Mother Nature hadn't finished with me yet...
for as Toby and I made our way through the garden
to the Boot Room
I was treated to the sight of a large and very beautiful fox...
...I had a moment of sheer delight at the beauty of him/her
then my thoughts were for our hens
who free-range in the woodland.
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| image by irishfieldsports |
Mr/Mrs Fox had run off through the wheat field by this time.
I think I got home just in time to deny him his breakfast.
It may take more than a four-leaf clover to keep our girls safe.
I miss seeing our families of geese and ducks that we had on our pond in Connecticut; your photos brought by such wonderful memories. It's cool and damp here too, but I've already been welcomed by the crows--asking if I had any day-old bread, and the geese landing on the lake. Isn't viewing nature so peaceful, XOXO
ReplyDeleteHello Susan, Crows are such smart birds - as demonstrated by the ones who ask for any of your wonderful home baking! The sight of those little goslings filled me with delight, it is the first time I have been lucky enough to see any this year!
DeleteA lovely journey through a dreary day... I must get out more.
ReplyDeleteLLX
Hello Lettice, Don't forget to put on a jumper! It was so cold yesterday that I could have done with two. ;) Young Toby Too has lots of energy, he makes me stir my stumps and get walking whether I feel like it, or not.
DeleteDespite the gloomy day...so many rays of sunshine.
ReplyDeleteJane x
Hello Jane, Toby Too is getting used to his new mama stopping to look and listen to the strangest things. Luckily, we don't have bears to contend with.
DeleteHarry is going to be so excited when I show him your latest bear.
How lucky you are to find a four leave clover! You did have see some beautiful animals on your walk, though it was a dreary day. It is so difficult to photograph an owl, I tried it a few times some weeks ago, when I had spotted one at the place I worked those days. I didn't have succes. Groetjes, Gerda
ReplyDeleteHello Gerda, I am one of those odd people who are always finding four-leaf clovers, I don't know why. My camera was in my pocket when the owl flew up, I decided to simply enjoy the unexpected moment. As you rightly say, it is difficult to do them justice - we must both keep on trying!
DeleteI just came in from weeding our flowerbed along the front ramp and decided to check my blog. Perfect timing on the flowers. It's a pleasure to see your flowers as well as mine today. Great that you saw the birds and even the fox though I hope your hens stay safe.
ReplyDeleteHello Pauline, It is very worrying having the fox around the place. We are on constant look-out for the fox, but it is difficult. The hens have a lot of freedom in the woodland, and they love it. I would hate to have to confine them to a run, but it may come to that.
DeleteWhat is that "lime colored" tree at your entrance? Stunning! Everything looks so cool in your photos. We will have a high of 93 here in Texas.
ReplyDeleteHello Meggie, You would definitely need to wrap up warm, it was cold. I'm glad you like that little tree, I love it too. It is a Japanese maple tree, Acer palmatum, I believe. I have always loved that fresh zingy colour in amongst all the others. I don't think I could handle the kind of heat you are dealing with, I would melt!
DeleteIt's like Wild Life on One over in Aby this week. Lovely pics!
ReplyDeleteHello Dom, Each walk is magical and thoroughly enjoyable. I hope you are well and truly on the mend now.x
DeleteYour pictures belie a gloomy day. I love the way mama ducks hustle babies to the bank. Now you have to think about your chickens!
ReplyDeleteHello Joanne, I hold my hand up to tweaking the exposure and editing the photographs, it helps lift them a little. So far so good with the hens. We are on constant fox-watch, have a radio playing out there, etc. Fragile defences, but the best we can do without confining the hens.
DeleteKeep your girls safe at all costs. Love all your pictures.
ReplyDeleteHello Molly, Sometimes it seems such a faff to take the camera, but I am nearly always glad that I did! Trouble is, by the time I have loaded my pockets with poop bags, dog treats, clicker, mobile phone, tissue, etc there isn't much space left for it. We, and the neighbours, are on high fox alert!
DeleteI am on fox watch as I type this.......a worrying time indeed
ReplyDeleteHello John, It is very difficult. They are such happy, free-ranging hens. I would hate to revert to confining them again. So we stay alert and do our best. I hope your local gamekeeper has been able to advise you.
DeleteI love your posts :) Such beauty where you live.... XO
ReplyDeleteHello Little Home in the Country, Thank you! The Edge of Nowhere is a lovely place - shaped by agriculture and history. Some days may be dull and gloomy, but my walks turn out to be golden. x
DeleteWhat beautiful photos, Elaine, I felt as if I was there with you
ReplyDeletexx
Hello Sue, I am so glad you enjoyed it. Some walks really do seem to be filled with the most wonderful delights...and I didn't even get started on the swallows which swooped around, the cuckoo who was in a nearby copse, and the beautiful Goldfinch which was darting in and out of the hedgerow.
DeleteI was watching a big male fox recently, wandering around in the field below us. Our hens are usually in their run, but when we do allow them total freedom we have to be cautious. I once lost a whole run-full (about 20) to a fox, but that was at night.
ReplyDeleteHello Cro, That must have been awful. I know the fox has to eat, but I wish he would develop an aversion to chicken. To date we haven't seen the fox again, but that doesn't mean he is not around. We remain vigilant.
DeleteThe photo of the two goose families is just stunning! I'm glad that Toby Too is good company on your walks and that he doesn't scare away the wildlife. Between you and John Gray, I get the impression there are a lot of hungry foxes in Britain.
ReplyDeleteHello Ms Sparrow, I was just so excited when I saw those two families - I had to use super-zoom, but at least I got them! It is a very worrying time, we don't want to deny our girls their freedom, but nor do we want them to be needlessly slaughtered. Toby Too is learning to stop and wait while I take photographs - albeit impatiently. He is very energetic!
DeleteWonderful post, makes me wish I lived on the edge of nowhere as well.
ReplyDeleteHello Doc, Oh you would love it! The downside is that the internet connections are very slow and patchy, the power supply is often interrupted, we have no shops, etc. etc. Despite all that it is wonderful! The walks and the views make it all worth it.
Deletewhat a wonderful walk so much good luck, what is the light green tree ?
ReplyDeleteHello Linda, It really was that wonderful. The tree is a Japanese Maple - the colour is superb. The best of luck with your new vehicle and your travels! I look forward to hearing some more of your adventures.
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