peacock

common, somewhat tattered, but exceptionally pretty, the peacock butterfly showing the deep abstraction so characteristic of Nature's painting. We saw orange tips, a brimstone, painted ladies and a fritillary of some sort all today so the butterfly season is well under way although it is not very easy to identify some (eg the fritillary) when the pack insist on pushing in to find out what it is that you are looking that can be so much more interesting than they.

greenfinch by magnolia

neatly combining two harbingers of real spring, the greenfinches are fighting each other and the magnolia is very slowly coming into flower.

bridge over untroubled water

the view looking downstream at Beals Mill. Nothing much changes around here (see link)

coming out

a hedge oak just on the verge of coming into leaf, and well before ash, so we are in for a splash

global wrapping

the new rural scene, away with green, let's have lots of polythene. Vincent eat your heart out.

St George's Day breakout

It's that time of year again. The Venterdon pond gang make a break for freedom, and review nesting places where no one can see them (except for the Orchard House mob who are watching every move). Spring is certainly springing.