dunelm
Master
Wonderful colours in this pear blossom
Wonderful colours in this pear blossomFbg 7.6
Still not back in the 6's
Still trying...
Nighttime Wildlife cameras
Midnight on a Mission - poor Fox!
The Fox knows Midnight is going to strike, but keeps trying...
Fox tries friendly eye blink after first strike - it didn't work...
Then that tail! What is Midnight dreaming of?
Creative is my imaginative painting in Procreate of pear blossom. My pear tree is absolutely full of pear blossoms this year, but doesn't usually produce many actual pears...
Yesterday, nearly disaster in my back garden.
I was sitting on my bed, working, by the open door into my back garden.
The baby sparrow, Miss Fluffy, and her brother were playing noisily on the willow branches, when suddenly consternation. Every bird alarm call was going.
I looked up just in time to see a pair of magpies, swooping in on the two baby sparrows. I had no time to act, so I just roared my best savage beast impression.
The two magpies veered away, and it gave me just time to get out in the garden before they came swooping back in again.
The parents both have got two baby sparrows back into the nest, but that wasn't safety, not with these two determined magpies. One magpie was into the honeysuckle, where the nest is. I used one of my crutches to deter/clout the magpie.
For about half an hour these two magpies swooped into my garden to get to that sparrow nest, by any strategy possible, from high, from low, sweeping around and attacking from different directions. I am uttering my best beast battle cries, and using my crutches. These two magpies are NOT getting my baby sparrows for a snack.
Finally they left.
I had no idea if the two baby sparrows were okay. Mum and Dad sparrow were okay. About a couple of hours later I heard the baby sparrow, Miss Fluffy loudly cheeping, but not her brother. It was another hour later before I heard him. Then all the usual small birds were all out round the feeders, playing on the branches of the willow. They were all present and correct.
So, I had made the assumption it was my usual Mr Magpie and his mate that caused all this consternation and I am thinking bad thoughts about him all night.
BUT
This morning, the two baby sparrows are happily cheeping and playing, and all the other small birds are joyful in the morning sunshine, and in swoops my Mr Magpie. All the small birds are still happily singing, feeding, and playing, no alarm calls. Mr Magpie is on the ground picking up the spilled cat biscuits from the swing. And he flies off, then comes back for more cat biscuits. And all the small birds are still happily cheeping and playing and feeding. There is no alarm from the small birds. So, I think I have to make the assumption that it was not my Mr Magpie yesterday afternoon.
I was all ready to go out and defend my small birds again and utter my beast war cries at 7am on a Sunday morning (although my throat is still sore from yesterday). But there was no need.
As a defence measure in case the savage murdering intentioned magpies come back, I have a dozen 3metre/10foot tall very thick bamboo canes I cut for a project some days ago. They still have the drying out leaves on them which make a heck of a rustle when shaken. I have placed these round the garden and the sparrow nest, to use against the magpies.
I am on the alert for every big bird shadow now...
The last time I walloped a magpie was 2017/18. How do I remember? I had just bought my spanking new 2017 iPad Pro. I was on my swing on a nice spring day. Suddenly a magpie swooped into the bushes where a blackbird's nest of babies was. I charged into the bushes. The magpie wouldn't leave the nest. He had already tasted blood. I massively walloped him with my new iPad Pro (I didn't give it a moment's thought about my iPad being nearly a £1,000). He left, still flying. Only one baby blackbird, a female, survived that day. And the parents took the greatest of care of that baby bird. I still remember. No magpies ever came back in my garden for years. And my expensive iPad still worked. I thought 'oh s***' when I realised what I had done with it.
My Skype call has been cancelled. Daughter is playing in a Roller Derby match.
I now have an extra hour for my day....
Stuff to do.
One more cuppa from my flask before I move...
Have your best day!
I don't think these two magpies intent on murder will be back. I gave them something to remember yesterday. There will be easier pickings somewhere else...
View attachment 61002
When I (used to) go away, I had to put together a list of everything to be packed and then make sure all was washed and ironed ready to go, and only then would I fit it into a case - about an hour or two. Tom, on the other hand, wouldn't do anything until about 2 hours before leaving. It took him about 10 minutes to pack enough for a 6 month voyage. I would be going mad at that stage, but he didn't want to think about it. Having done it so often, of course, he knew exactly what had to go in and exactly where it fitted best in the case. I would have forgotten glasses, passport etc. He never forgot anything - without a list in sight. Practice makes perfect, I suppose but I think it's a matter of everyone being different. Is it a male/female thing? Of course, he couldn't have managed so well if I hadn't spent hours in advance making sure everything was ready for packing.When we go away MrKs packing takes 15 minutes but mine takes about 3 hours!
Thank you for sharing that beautifully observed creative. I/we seemed to find pears cropped on alternate years. Your garden is an interesting microcosm of creation red in tooth and claw not as airbrushed/sugar coated by romantics. I hope today you will be able to soak up some rays in peace and tranquility.Fbg 7.6
Still not back in the 6's
Still trying...
Nighttime Wildlife cameras
Midnight on a Mission - poor Fox!
The Fox knows Midnight is going to strike, but keeps trying...
Fox tries friendly eye blink after first strike - it didn't work...
Then that tail! What is Midnight dreaming of?
Creative is my imaginative painting in Procreate of pear blossom. My pear tree is absolutely full of pear blossoms this year, but doesn't usually produce many actual pears...
Yesterday, nearly disaster in my back garden.
I was sitting on my bed, working, by the open door into my back garden.
The baby sparrow, Miss Fluffy, and her brother were playing noisily on the willow branches, when suddenly consternation. Every bird alarm call was going.
I looked up just in time to see a pair of magpies, swooping in on the two baby sparrows. I had no time to act, so I just roared my best savage beast impression.
The two magpies veered away, and it gave me just time to get out in the garden before they came swooping back in again.
The parents both have got two baby sparrows back into the nest, but that wasn't safety, not with these two determined magpies. One magpie was into the honeysuckle, where the nest is. I used one of my crutches to deter/clout the magpie.
For about half an hour these two magpies swooped into my garden to get to that sparrow nest, by any strategy possible, from high, from low, sweeping around and attacking from different directions. I am uttering my best beast battle cries, and using my crutches. These two magpies are NOT getting my baby sparrows for a snack.
Finally they left.
I had no idea if the two baby sparrows were okay. Mum and Dad sparrow were okay. About a couple of hours later I heard the baby sparrow, Miss Fluffy loudly cheeping, but not her brother. It was another hour later before I heard him. Then all the usual small birds were all out round the feeders, playing on the branches of the willow. They were all present and correct.
So, I had made the assumption it was my usual Mr Magpie and his mate that caused all this consternation and I am thinking bad thoughts about him all night.
BUT
This morning, the two baby sparrows are happily cheeping and playing, and all the other small birds are joyful in the morning sunshine, and in swoops my Mr Magpie. All the small birds are still happily singing, feeding, and playing, no alarm calls. Mr Magpie is on the ground picking up the spilled cat biscuits from the swing. And he flies off, then comes back for more cat biscuits. And all the small birds are still happily cheeping and playing and feeding. There is no alarm from the small birds. So, I think I have to make the assumption that it was not my Mr Magpie yesterday afternoon.
I was all ready to go out and defend my small birds again and utter my beast war cries at 7am on a Sunday morning (although my throat is still sore from yesterday). But there was no need.
As a defence measure in case the savage murdering intentioned magpies come back, I have a dozen 3metre/10foot tall very thick bamboo canes I cut for a project some days ago. They still have the drying out leaves on them which make a heck of a rustle when shaken. I have placed these round the garden and the sparrow nest, to use against the magpies.
I am on the alert for every big bird shadow now...
The last time I walloped a magpie was 2017/18. How do I remember? I had just bought my spanking new 2017 iPad Pro. I was on my swing on a nice spring day. Suddenly a magpie swooped into the bushes where a blackbird's nest of babies was. I charged into the bushes. The magpie wouldn't leave the nest. He had already tasted blood. I massively walloped him with my new iPad Pro (I didn't give it a moment's thought about my iPad being nearly a £1,000). He left, still flying. Only one baby blackbird, a female, survived that day. And the parents took the greatest of care of that baby bird. I still remember. No magpies ever came back in my garden for years. And my expensive iPad still worked. I thought 'oh s***' when I realised what I had done with it.
My Skype call has been cancelled. Daughter is playing in a Roller Derby match.
I now have an extra hour for my day....
Stuff to do.
One more cuppa from my flask before I move...
Have your best day!
I don't think these two magpies intent on murder will be back. I gave them something to remember yesterday. There will be easier pickings somewhere else...
View attachment 61002 by
Thanks @ianpspursThank you for sharing that beautifully observed creative. I/we seemed to find pears cropped on alternate years. Your garden is an interesting microcosm of creation red in tooth and claw not as airbrushed/sugar coated romantics. I hope today you will be able to soak up some rays in peace and tranquility.
Well done for saving the baby sparrows @gennepher.Fbg 7.6
Still not back in the 6's
Still trying...
Nighttime Wildlife cameras
Midnight on a Mission - poor Fox!
The Fox knows Midnight is going to strike, but keeps trying...
Fox tries friendly eye blink after first strike - it didn't work...
Then that tail! What is Midnight dreaming of?
Creative is my imaginative painting in Procreate of pear blossom. My pear tree is absolutely full of pear blossoms this year, but doesn't usually produce many actual pears...
Yesterday, nearly disaster in my back garden.
I was sitting on my bed, working, by the open door into my back garden.
The baby sparrow, Miss Fluffy, and her brother were playing noisily on the willow branches, when suddenly consternation. Every bird alarm call was going.
I looked up just in time to see a pair of magpies, swooping in on the two baby sparrows. I had no time to act, so I just roared my best savage beast impression.
The two magpies veered away, and it gave me just time to get out in the garden before they came swooping back in again.
The parents both have got two baby sparrows back into the nest, but that wasn't safety, not with these two determined magpies. One magpie was into the honeysuckle, where the nest is. I used one of my crutches to deter/clout the magpie.
For about half an hour these two magpies swooped into my garden to get to that sparrow nest, by any strategy possible, from high, from low, sweeping around and attacking from different directions. I am uttering my best beast battle cries, and using my crutches. These two magpies are NOT getting my baby sparrows for a snack.
Finally they left.
I had no idea if the two baby sparrows were okay. Mum and Dad sparrow were okay. About a couple of hours later I heard the baby sparrow, Miss Fluffy loudly cheeping, but not her brother. It was another hour later before I heard him. Then all the usual small birds were all out round the feeders, playing on the branches of the willow. They were all present and correct.
So, I had made the assumption it was my usual Mr Magpie and his mate that caused all this consternation and I am thinking bad thoughts about him all night.
BUT
This morning, the two baby sparrows are happily cheeping and playing, and all the other small birds are joyful in the morning sunshine, and in swoops my Mr Magpie. All the small birds are still happily singing, feeding, and playing, no alarm calls. Mr Magpie is on the ground picking up the spilled cat biscuits from the swing. And he flies off, then comes back for more cat biscuits. And all the small birds are still happily cheeping and playing and feeding. There is no alarm from the small birds. So, I think I have to make the assumption that it was not my Mr Magpie yesterday afternoon.
I was all ready to go out and defend my small birds again and utter my beast war cries at 7am on a Sunday morning (although my throat is still sore from yesterday). But there was no need.
As a defence measure in case the savage murdering intentioned magpies come back, I have a dozen 3metre/10foot tall very thick bamboo canes I cut for a project some days ago. They still have the drying out leaves on them which make a heck of a rustle when shaken. I have placed these round the garden and the sparrow nest, to use against the magpies.
I am on the alert for every big bird shadow now...
The last time I walloped a magpie was 2017/18. How do I remember? I had just bought my spanking new 2017 iPad Pro. I was on my swing on a nice spring day. Suddenly a magpie swooped into the bushes where a blackbird's nest of babies was. I charged into the bushes. The magpie wouldn't leave the nest. He had already tasted blood. I massively walloped him with my new iPad Pro (I didn't give it a moment's thought about my iPad being nearly a £1,000). He left, still flying. Only one baby blackbird, a female, survived that day. And the parents took the greatest of care of that baby bird. I still remember. No magpies ever came back in my garden for years. And my expensive iPad still worked. I thought 'oh s***' when I realised what I had done with it.
My Skype call has been cancelled. Daughter is playing in a Roller Derby match.
I now have an extra hour for my day....
Stuff to do.
One more cuppa from my flask before I move...
Have your best day!
I don't think these two magpies intent on murder will be back. I gave them something to remember yesterday. There will be easier pickings somewhere else...
View attachment 61002
It sounds like you did a rather good impression of Queen Boudicca @gennepherI looked up just in time to see a pair of magpies, swooping in on the two baby sparrows. I had no time to act, so I just roared my best savage beast impression.
Yes, that is exactly how I pack. I couldn't do it without a list and I meticulously tick off every item as I pack it.When I (used to) go away, I had to put together a list of everything to be packed and then make sure all was washed and ironed ready to go, and only then would I fit it into a case - about an hour or two. Tom, on the other hand, wouldn't do anything until about 2 hours before leaving. It took him about 10 minutes to pack enough for a 6 month voyage. I would be going mad at that stage, but he didn't want to think about it. Having done it so often, of course, he knew exactly what had to go in and exactly where it fitted best in the case. I would have forgotten glasses, passport etc. He never forgot anything - without a list in sight. Practice makes perfect, I suppose but I think it's a matter of everyone being different. Is it a male/female thing? Of course, he couldn't have managed so well if I hadn't spent hours in advance making sure everything was ready for packing.
BG this morning at 4 am was 8.4. By 9 am it was 8.9. Before breakfast it was 11.9 but is back down now to 8.5.
Thanks @Krystyna23040
I was waiting for the neighbours to call the men in white coats....It sounds like you did a rather good impression of Queen Boudicca @gennepher
The colour discloses so much perspective in all of your images. Didn't notice the greenery growing out of the wall before - is that a late addition?Good morning everyone on a bright and early start for us here in the dark and dangerous north. Lovely sunny day yesterday and spent a good bit of time in my art studio with both doors open into the garden. Packing. I use a bunch of double seal reuseable bags - Mrs Miggins get’s loads of them in different sizes from that Swedish flat pack place. All socks and pants in one bag, t-shirts in another etc., etc. Then squeeze air out to compress, seal and place in a hold all - you can get loads into one bag and it looks like you have had lessons from Mary Poppins when you take everything out. Flasks out ready for filling and bags to put into car. Not a lot of room in a Smart FourTwo but we have toured Europe in one before so no big deal. Art bit, colour added. No idea what comes next. Have a wonderful day if you can. I simply must have some koffy before I do anything else.
View attachment 61016
I seem to swing between 3 and 13 at the moment. This morning, 3.30, BG was 8.9 (after Libre waking me to tell me it was 3.9 about 1.30 - had a sweet from the bedside emergency jar). Now it's 10.9 and rising so I guess I'd better make breakfast soon and try to get it down.
It is like that is a doorway to the sky where even humans can fly...free like a bird...Good morning everyone on a bright and early start for us here in the dark and dangerous north. Lovely sunny day yesterday and spent a good bit of time in my art studio with both doors open into the garden. Packing. I use a bunch of double seal reuseable bags - Mrs Miggins get’s loads of them in different sizes from that Swedish flat pack place. All socks and pants in one bag, t-shirts in another etc., etc. Then squeeze air out to compress, seal and place in a hold all - you can get loads into one bag and it looks like you have had lessons from Mary Poppins when you take everything out. Flasks out ready for filling and bags to put into car. Not a lot of room in a Smart FourTwo but we have toured Europe in one before so no big deal. Art bit, colour added. No idea what comes next. Have a wonderful day if you can. I simply must have some koffy before I do anything else.
View attachment 61016
Ooh nice idea.Packing. I use a bunch of double seal reuseable bags - Mrs Miggins get’s loads of them in different sizes from that Swedish flat pack place.
Love how calming & descriptive you make your little oasis sound.Fbg 9.6
No idea why, except I am under stress at the moment.
Eating is sensible.
No point at this minute taking readings during the day.
Stress will be over on Friday afternoon once I get home.
So I have to wait 'til then.
Yesterday afternoon I kept a close eye on the garden because of the two rogue magpies the other day. I needed a nap so I kept my cochlear sound processor on (I don't normally wear that when asleep because it falls off & I cannot find it). And all I could hear while I was asleep was the incessant cheeping of Miss Fluffy. At least I knew all was well!
I went in the kitchen after my nap to do a couple of things and I left the kitchen door open and even that distance away I could still hear the constant cheeping of Miss Fluffy. I don't think she knows how to be quiet.
This morning, eating my breakfast I am watching Miss Fluffy on her favourite willow tree branch. She chooses exactly the same branch and exactly the same spot each time. She hasn't learnt to vary the branches she uses or how to be quiet. She is just so full of joy, and the love of her own body and her feathers.
Anyway this morning I was watching Dad Sparrow. Miss Fluffy was chirping on her favourite branch, and Dad Sparrow was at the bird feeder completely ignoring her. Then Miss Fluffy flew over to the bird feeder and instantly Dad took off over my bungalow. A split second later Miss Fluffy followed him. I think he is trying to get her to go to pastures anew...I think he'll have as much success as a parent wanting their teenager to move out from the comforts of home...
Mum Sparrow is taking sole care of her brother.
I do not know why there were only two baby sparrows in that brood in the first place. I shall never know.
Mr Greattit who came in my garden last year with his two babies everyday, has still continued to come to my garden every day to eat at the feeders once his babies had flown away. Well, he has just flown in with one of his this year's babies.
Mr Heffalump (wood pigeon) has just made three very considered failed abortive attempts to land on the bird table this last 20 minutes. He finally decided to land on a piece of cane next to the bird table and stepped onto the bird table from that!
Right, I have got to stop watching this lot. I have been watching them for about an hour while I was eating my breakfast. I need to get started on with my day!
It's a half hour later and I am still watching those birds...that won't get anything done...
Foxes & Cats & Badger
Ginger cat Merlin wants the swing for the night. Jade sends him away, and then so does Midnight. But moments later Merlin comes back and takes centre position on the swing the rest of the night until dawn.
And he still stayed on the swing , for most of the day, when it became daylight. Cat politics...
Merlin thinks he is going to become a house cat. Midnight thinks otherwise...it keeps them busy.
Amy is a strange little black cat. She wants to be the invisible house cat. She doesn't feel to me like an 'Amy' any more with her behaviour. She feels more like a 'Zoe'. Don't ask me why...
Creative is a painting of a Fuchsia in my garden. It is very prickly. And I must move. I am watching Miss Fluffy returning to her favourite willow branch, with Dad Sparrow...
The painting is a bit messy, I had the time to do better, but I kept watching the birds. When baby birds are around, I cannot resist watching them, and then an hour has passed...this time when the birds are this young, they grow up within days. You must always take the time to stand/sit and stare because that moment is gone forever...
Bye...I am going to the kitchen for a fresh cuppa...
Have your best day.
View attachment 61017
So annoying, and indicative of the crazy balancing act insulin users have to perform daily .I seem to swing between 3 and 13 at the moment. This morning, 3.30, BG was 8.9 (after Libre waking me to tell me it was 3.9 about 1.30 - had a sweet from the bedside emergency jar). Now it's 10.9 and rising so I guess I'd better make breakfast soon and try to get it down.
Thanks very much @jjraakLove how calming & descriptive you make your little oasis sound.
Feels I'm almost there, sipping tea, feeling the sun on my face, breeze gently brushing my skin, eyes closed just listening to the backdrop of bird noises ...bliss.
Enjoy.
Btw, another big up for the pear blossom pic the other day...excellent work.
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