Today’s guest picture is another from my sister Mary’s Lake District trip and shows the path to Easedale Tarn.
If only I could have persuaded myself to get up at 6 o’clock when I opened my eyes to see strong sunshine outside, I would have been able to make the best of the day. As it was, my eyes snapped shut again and by the time that I got up, the weather was trying to break all records for the number of sharp showers in a single day.
The short spells of brilliant sunshine between the showers made this all the more annoying. Every time the rain stopped, it looked as though summer had come but fifteen minutes later, the clouds were back, the wind gusted, the temperature dropped and the next shower was on its way.
I started the day with a visit to fill up the Moorland feeders and while I was lurking in the hide for half an hour, two showers passed over. All the same, I had a very entertaining time as the glade was the arena for six woodpeckers to chase each other up and down the trees and on and off the feeders.
Mostly they were half hidden by branches or too quick for me but from time to time, I was able to catch them at work.
At one stage, one of them was joined by a jay.
But the jay soon left.
There were a few other birds about.
A chaffinch posed for lovers of peaceful bird shots. This was in one of the rain showers.
There seem to be quite a few greenfinches about this year in spite of the disease that struck them last season.
When I got home, Mrs Tootlepedal was trying to get some useful gardening done in between the showers and was pleased to have managed to uproot a considerable amount of creeping buttercup, one of the banes of her gardening life.
I found a couple, of breaks in the rain to finish shifting the last of the compost from Bin C to Bin D.
It was rather soggy work today. The next task is transferring Bin A to Bin C. This will take time as it requires the use of a wheelbarrow.
In the sunny spells, there was quite a bit of colour in the garden. The rhododendrons are working hard.
An azalea sneaked into the montage.
Less showy flowers are to be seen too.
An allium and a Japanese azalea
Can anyone tell me what botanical purpose the crab like claws on the euphorbia serve?
In the garden, I saw a great tit….
…and there were still a lot of starlings about.
Finally, later in the afternoon, there seemed to be enough stability in the weather to let me out for a short stroll and I ventured round Gaskell’s Walk with one eye on the wild flowers and the other on some looming clouds. I wisely didn’t spend too much time looking for photo opportunities and got back home before the rain started again but I did see a few things along the way.
A thriving lichen on a wall beside the road.
I know that the plant on the left is a geum but I don’t know the blue flower
The may be red campion on the left and it is definitely a butterfly enjoying a bluebell on the right.
An unknown (to me) red flower and some potential hawthorn blossom
A rhododendron in the park
It was time for a cup of tea with Mike Tinker who was visiting Granny when I got home and not long afterwards, Mike and Frankie, Mrs Tootlepedal’s brother and sister-in-law, returned from their short holiday in Troon and Mull. They hadn’t enjoyed the best of weather but a reunion with old friends and the scenery had made the trip worthwhile.
In the evening, Granny took us all out for an excellent farewell meal at the Douglas Hotel as she is going to go home with Mike and Frankie tomorrow. We will be sorry to see her go and hope to see her again next year.
More wind and rain is forecast for the next few days. I was hoping for a few more bike miles before the end of May but it will take a mighty big (and improbable) effort to get me out in these conditions.
The flying bird of the day is that jay from the Moorland Feeders.
I think the claw like bits on the euphorbia are nectar glands. If you watch the flowers closely and if pollination is successful, you should see a female ovary rise from the center of them. Once that happens the glands will die off.
The red flower next to the potential hawthorn blossoms looks like red campion to me.
I’m not sure about the blue flower.
Thank you. I thought that you would know. I will keep an aye on developments.
I didn’t really know. I looked it up.
Knowing where to look is three quarters of the battle.
You have captured some beautiful moments. I’m a bird lover and can’t believe how detailed your shots are. Maybe some day I will be able to do something like that.
It will require spending some money on a camera with a good zoom lens.
Claws and all, the euphorbia is a rather remarkable looking flower!
It is. I love to look at them. They make me laugh.
Your jays are so different than ours! 🙂
But just about recognisable as the same type of bird perhaps.
Beautiful photos of your countryside and wildlife, as always. That lichen is particularly interesting in its pattern.
Glad to hear you all had a farewell meal together before Granny left.
Even better for the fact that she paid for it!
Despite the hit and miss showers, it looks and sounds as if you had a good day overall.
We are are all really fed up with the weather.
I particularly admired today’s flying bird, a splendid shot.
You captured some fine action at the Moorland feeders.
Very impressed with your methodical compost arrangments.
Glad Mike and Frankie enjoyed their holiday and that you had an enjoyable meal at the Douglas.
Sorry about the continuing weather frustrations. I really enjoyed the woodpecker pictures as we don’t have them here. The lichen photo was very interesting too. As you know, my daughter has a bit of a phobia to that kind of picture, but I find them very appealing. I do wonder what the claws on the euphorbia are for. I hope someone gives you an answer. I’m sorry to hear that Granny is leaving too as I’ve enjoyed your comments about her. Splendid pics as always, Tom.
I would have thought that lichen was particularly harmless but it takes all sorts.
I also enjoyed the woodpecker series and was rather puzzled by the lichen initially – at first glance I thought overcooked crepe.
Bon voyage to Granny, I’ve enjoyed meeting up with her again, and also the visitors her stay attracts.
She got home safely. She is a remarkable old lady.
What a wonderful woodpecker w…experience!
🙂
So sorry about the continuing dismal weather. I hope you get a break soon. I do adore your woodpeckers! Glad to hear the greenfinches are recovering from the disease, that is good news. Nice to see all the lovely color returning to the garden.
But so slowly.
I find your birds fascinating and your pictures of them wonderful. Even your Starling looks better… The woodpeckers are special.
I find the woodpeckers endlessly appealing no matter how often I see them.
Yes, plant on left is a Geum rivale or Water Avens and the plant on the right is a Bugle or Ajuga reptans. Both pink flowers are Red Campion as Allen says. The Woodpecker photos are fabulous!
Thank you. My ignorance is diminishing with the readers’ help.
🙂
Some great bird photos there. The woodpeckers are very entertaining.
They were fun.
As your mystery flowers have already been identified I shant bother saying more about them expect that they are lovely. The flowers in your garden are pretty nice too and the lichen was interesting.