Coloured Thursday - WHITE!

When one thinks of Lilac blossom I for one, tend to think of all shades of LILAC, but the sweetest fragranced is often snowy WHITE...These rather elegant WHITE wrought Iron gates lead to house envyingly backing onto the River Isis...Where this fine Swan resides...Along with this little lost birdy - breed unknown...And, now for my second Wedding Cake of the week...When blogging, what would I do without the Celebration Cake Shop???

My original meme 'True Colours Thursday' is now hosted here @ Blue's Coloured Thursday - PLEASE do join in again!

Camera Critters Sunday - Gull Dawn Chorus!

After waking me up he settled down on my Brighton hotel bedroom's window sill as it's only 6am...

Saturday Photo Hunt - Three AND an Early Camera Critters Sunday!

For this week's prompt from host tnchick, I'm recalling an adorable Signet threesome from last Spring...This delightful sight I hope to enjoy again.

True Colours Thursday - NAVY!

I found this shade of blue quite hard on it's first outing.
But, this time I seem to have found a sort of vague photo theme - travelling!!!

My wheelie suitcase & never travelled without laptop carrier are both shades of NAVY...

Never travelled on, though always fancied a spin on - this NAVY jeaned motorbiker on his NAVY flamed power machine would do nicely for my maiden pillion ride...

Then, there's NAVY bicycles a plenty in my city as they're the students favoured means of getting around Dreamingspires...

Was delighted to spy this last years Signet, now nearly a full fledged Swan, travelling downstream to new territory on the River Isis - no Photo Shop, it's just the light that gave me rippling NAVY water...

There's also, always a romantic dream of travel via this period fragrance...

Plus, my cake from the Celebration Cake Shop's window has a couple, wheeling away on their honeymoon - the ribbon is NAVYish...

To join True Colours Thursday, whose designated blog home is HERE, all you need, is to post a photo/photographs & text, or better still both, on the specified colour of the week.
If you simply want to use the idea as a 'prompt' for a post, that is fine with me.
But, if, you'd like others including me, to visit you, please leave a comment on either site, so we know you are 'IN'!
Previous known participants are shown in the TCT blogs side bar.
Next weeks colour is SHAMROCK GREEN, early for St Patrick's Day on the 17th!
And, please remember ideas for forth coming colours would be very welcome!

Camera Critters Sunday and an early Monochrome - The Solitary Swan!

At one time nearby Hinksey Lake & Park was home to many, many Swans - according to the Oxford Dictionaries site HERE, the collective term for Swans varies from a bevy to a whiting and a wedge when in flight!
Anyway, after the demise of the elderly local man who'd be seen feeding them daily, the numbers gradually diminished.
However this fine one, who obligingly posed for me, remains a resident...
Camera Critters is Misty Dawn's creation, the blog is HERE!
Monochrome Weekend's creator & host is Alieni.

Camera Critters Sunday - The Night Singer!

This is my post intended for last Sunday!
But put on hold re a single photo because I wanted to do the 'right thing' re an image not mine!
However, since my polite email request re using this 'Copyright' photo has still recieved no reply, & having checked throughly the website of the photographer concerned, I can't find my Robin card anywhere, because it is maybe 10 years old, I'm using it anyway!

The other night & not for the first time either recently, I woke in small hours, to hear a bird singing away in the dark.
A Nightingale or Nightjar, sprang to mind but, they are only Summer visitors to Britain & should be in Africa by now.
My night-time singer is a Robin & he's probably in my garden's Apple trees.
Regrettably, this fine Robin Red Breast image is NOT mine...It's the work of a talented Oxfordshire photographer Craig Churchill.
I acquired 'Robin' as greetings card, a number of years ago - it was one, I couldn't bare to part with.
Anyway back to my songster - most days this month I've seen him with his fine red breast, which is @ it's brightest right now, flitting about the garden - he @ least appreciates it's over grown bushes & back to nature feel!
And, he's a friendly cheeky chappy too i.e. he doesn't fly off far, when I do venture down to the Apple trees, to refill my bird feeders that hang there; he's even learnt how to feed from them too - perching precariously on the one containing sunflower bird seed.
Sorry - I can't help myself - I have to say 'If only, if only I had a zoom'!
Robins are one of the few birds that hold a territory throughout the Winter, & mine is defending his bigtime!
The Tit family have regular daily run ins with him while trying to feed.
And, it's his aggressive defence of his domain that's causing him to sing @ night!
The street lamps ensure that it never gets completely dark & neighbours security lights that come on @ the slightest movement, are tricking him into thinking dawns come early, so he'd better start singing out to announce his presence.
I've also read, that unexpected loud noises @ night @ this time of year, will also disturb Robins & act as a trigger to sing out.
My 'Mr Robin Red-Breast', sings exceedingly well, and when his handsome chest's attracted a new mate, they will I imagine, nest in the rickety garden shed behind the Apple trees come Spring.

Saturday Photo Hunt - Bird(s), PLUS Color Carnival & Camera Critters Sunday early!

Three memes in one today, with just a single photo, that has to be a first, even for me!
Now, since there is no way I can capture close ups of small birds like Blue-Tits or Robins, imagine my delight, when visiting the Garden Centre in Kent the other week, to find these...No zoom lens was required & pleasingly, they did not fly off when approached!

Tnchick prompt's Saturday's Photo Hunt.
Martha is the creator & host of Color Carnival.
And, Camera Critters is Misty Dawn's creation - the blog is HERE!

Camera Critters Sunday - The Goose-Step!

Goosey Goosey Gander stepped out to see me off, as I passed by his resting place on the banks of the Isis earlier this week...Camera Critters host is Misty Dawn, the blog HERE

I've always thought the military march, the Goose-Step looked funny, but I'd be happy to be able to do it @ the moment as I've gone a tad lame this last day or two!

After a Summer of inactivity [no swimming or putting in my normal daily miles of walking, not just a stroll to town] due to depression & drinking too much, I've piled the weight on; so this month, I took myself in hand and decided to try & walk off some of my porky pounds.

I've been out every day, doing between 5 or 6 of brisk walking.

And, I've obviously over done it as I'm now in discomfort & limping badly!

The sides of my left heel are hot, swollen & very tender, and putting my foot flat to the floor & stretching my calf muscle is painful.

I suspect a visit to the doctors is called for.

Camera Critters Sunday - Swan & Swans!

A local resident on the River Isis...Visitors in town as part of St Giles Fair...

Camera Critters is Misty Dawn's creation, the designated blog HERE!

Wordless Wednesday [NOT] - The 'Glorious 12th'!

I realise the title & photo may need an explanation to many - so , so much for being wordless!!!

The 'Glorious 12th' of August each year in the UK, marks the start of the Game shooting season on the estates, moors & game reserves across the country, with the Red Grouse being the first target for the guns.

However, Dreamingpires Covered Market's speciality Butchers always have birds available, especially Pheasants.

As food, a brace [pair] is way beyond my budget!

Besides which, there's the plucking & gutting to do!!!

I always hated helping doing Chickens as a child - we kept Fowls.

And, when finished, although I enjoy the gamey taste, there's more bones than meat on small birds!

Now, I'm not a Vegetarian, so have no qualms about this post.

But, know to some it may seem insensitive, but no offence is meant!

Camera Critters Sunday & an early Odd Shot Monday - The Emperor!

I've no idea why this image is painted on a wall on a street corner...Found it whilst walking to Town recently.

Couldn't decide where to post it either - Camera Critters or Odd Shots???

But, guess an Emperor Penguin is worthy of both!

Camera Critters designated site is HERE

Odd Shot's home is with Katney.

Have to add, if anyone hasn't seen the 2005 film, 'March of the Penguins', you are missing a natural history treat of extra-ordinary proportions.

Narrated by actor Morgan Freeman, it's an awe inspiring delight.

It tells the true tale of Antarctica's thousands of Emperor Penguins who each year make an astonishing journey to their breeding grounds on the the coldest, driest darkest continent on earth.

The birds mate, then during the fierce Polar Winter take it in turns to guard their precious egg & trekking back to the ocean in search of food.

The arrival & safety of their adorable fuzzy chicks makes it all worthwhile...

It's an amazing story of survival.

And, beautifully filmed.

Wordless Wednesday - Days for Ducklings!

Camera Critters Sunday - Wanted a Dodo!

I forgot to include this, my final 'Alice' snippet, on a earlier post.
To illustrate it, I really needed a photo of a Dodo, that extinct, 'mythical' bird instead of Geese by the River Isis, but...On a 'Alice' walking tour around Dreamingspires, I learnt that author Dodgson, aka Lewis Carroll, had a problematic stammer.
With children, it amazingly disappeared.
But, in adult conversation, he struggled when renouncing his surname.
So, it's thought he is 'taking the micky' out of him-self in the 'Alice in Wonderland' with his character the Dodo!

Camera Critters is Misty Dawn's creation, the blog is HERE!

'The Colours' & a True Colours Thursday Challenge!

I don't know whether anyone else in this day & age, has such thing as a Birthday Book, in which you record all your family & friends birthdays plus anniversaries!!!

But, I do!

Mine's, of children's verse, and dates back to my ninth birthday, an inscripted gift from my Mother.

For each day of the year, it has a few lines of poetry, sometimes twee, others delightful. even profound.

Looking through its well worn pages to check for forthcoming July Birthdays, that I might other wise miss yesterday, I came across, this previously un-noticed extract...

"What is pink? a rose is pink
By a fountain's brink.
What is red? a poppy's red
In its barley bed. "

It came from "The Colours" by Christina Rossetti [1830-1894], sister of the poet & painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

Intrigued, I 'Googled' the rest of the poem, which goes like this:-

"What is blue? the sky is blue
Where the clouds float thro'.
What is white? a swan is white
Sailing in the light.
What is yellow? pears are yellow,
Rich and ripe and mellow.
What is green? the grass is green,
With small flowers between.
What is violet? clouds are violet
In the summer twilight.
What is orange? Why, an orange,
Just an orange!"

In view of my blogs title & Thursday meme, thought it might be interesting to see if I could find an photograph for each colour as particularly described in the poem.

Here's my offering from my archives.

A rose is pink, by as fountains brink - it was close to water - promise, but not seen ...

A poppy is red, in it's Barley bed - mine's blooming in Universities Botanical Gardens...The sky is blue, where clouds float thro...

A swan is white, sailing in the light...

Pears are yellow - sorry, no pears, plums instead...

The grass is green, with small flowers between...

Clouds are violet, in the Summer twilight...

What is Orange, just an orange...

Now, I'd love to see OTHERS takes.

So, I challenge all True Colours Thursday participants, should they choose to take it up - gosh, that sounds like 'Mission Impossible' - and, anyone else interested or has the time, to play along too.

As I needed one, a single improvisation is allowed.

And, to the most accurate, or creative, I will send a small, well deserved reward!!!

POSTSCRIPT - Sorry, should have made it clear that this challenge is in addition to the regular True Colours Thursday one, and can be played @ anytime.

True Colours Thursday - GREY, take 2!

As it's my meme - LOL - I'm allowing myself, a second crack of the whip @ this weeks colour.
The reason being, I just wasn't that satisfied with my main post on GREY, to be seen below this one.
And, having now, found the perfect example of Springtime GREY, I have to share it!

This morning, to make the most of the blue skies & sunshine, took the longer riverside route into town.
Look who I found on the embankment, also enjoying the suns warmth - GREYLAG Geese & their downy gooslings...Now, they are cute & GREY.
So finally, I'm content with my contribution!

Sky Watch Friday - Herons High!

Saved from my post on the last Sundays London WELTAF, Welsh Terrier walk in Regents Park, are these shots.
Perched in the trees on a small island in the lake, were these strange looking objects...Closer examination revealed them to be huge Herons nests...And, low & behold, they contained fledglings being feed by their parents!
This last shot is courtesy of friend H's telescopic lens...The Sky Watch blog is to be found HERE!

Camera Critters Sunday - Heron Watch!

Walking along by a tributory stream, that feeds the River Isis, I spotted something lurking the water edge grass...

My small camera's best zoom in efforts...Camera Critters is Misty Dawns idea.
The blog is HERE!

ABC Wednesday - E is for...!

In the Food World, there is only possible E for me, versatile Eggs.
I'm never without a box... Here in the UK, we go for brown Eggs.
The browner the better for me too; as, as a child, my Mother kept hens.
It was one of my daily tasks, to collect the freshly laid ones from the Rhode Island Reds, who lay seriously brown Eggs.
So, encountering the stark white ones from Leghorn Hens, that are prefered in Canada, seemed initially a little odd to me!
But, having said that, I was delighted to find pale green shelled Eggs served @ breakfast @ Rome's Cavelalier Hilton.
Whilst Little Buddy & I were staying there, we discovered that they had a small flock of Montgelana Hens, a cross between Aracauna & Sebright Chickens, pecking away in the hotels extensive grounds!
Still - no matter what the shell colour, the content remains the same, the only difference being, between battery & Free Range Eggs.
And, I do frequently enjoy a boiled Egg with a nice runny rich yolk, into which to dip my bread & butter soldiers...Growing up in the 1950/60's, I remember that famous slogan 'Go to work on an Egg' .
Or, in my case, 'Go to school on one!
Then, suddenly health concerns re cholesterol & heart disease, saw recommendations not eat more than 3/4 Eggs a week in any form.
Err!
However, only last week, a paper in the British Nutrition Foundation's Nutrition Bulletin, revealed that the misconceptions around Eggs and cholesterol, largely stemed from incorrect conclusions drawn from early research.
And, this new report has led to major World and UK health organisations including the British Heart Foundation, revising their guidance.
So, we can enjoy Eggs a plenty once again with a clear conscience.
Not, that I, in truth ever stopped!!!
But, in the present times of economic crisis, the energy, efficient, economical egg is welcome back on the breakfast menu!

~

Now, to one of my favourite Egg dishes - @ any time of day is...
Scrambled Egg with Smoked Salmon for One!
2 Large Eggs
2oz [75g] Smoked Salmon, cut into thin strips
Pinch of salt and freshly Ground Black Pepper
1 tbsp Creme Fraiche'
1 Spring/Salad Onion, finely chopped
Light Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Place Smoked Salmon, Onions & Creme Fraiche' in a bowl & leave to stand 10 mins.
Gently beat the eggs together with salt and pepper.
Oil a non-stick pan over a medium heat.
When sizzling, pour in the eggs and stir with a wooden spoon till they begin to set
Add the Salmon mixture & keep stirring til scrambled.
Serve immediately with buttered wholemeal toast or muffins.
If eaten @ Breakfast or Brunch, I also enjoy a Bucks Fizz!

ABC Wednesday is Denise's concept & hosted HERE!

Camera Critters Sunday - Puddle Ducks!

The recent heavy rains & resulting puddles provided more than interesting reflections for me [Sky Watch Friday below], as walking through my Park, came across this group of Mallards...There were more ducks, a puddling in the mud, only they took fright & quickly waddled off.

Oh, for a proper ZOOM lens!

Camera Critters Mama is Misty Dawn - the home site HERE!

The Big Garden Birdwatch 2009!

This year, it's the 30th Birthday of the RSPB [Royal Society for the Protection of Birds], annual Bird Watch Weekend.
The idea is, you take an Hour out & record the maximum number of each specis of birds seen together visiting in your garden or local park etc, during that period of time.
I've taken part over a number of years with mixed, very mixed results.
When I first moved into the neighbourhood, back in 1987 & was baking for a living from home, my garden bird population was HUGE & varied.
I could hardly produce enough cast-off cake crumbs & flapjack [granola bar] cuts off, to feed the Sparrow population alone.
They were so, cheeky, they'd come & feed off the inside of my kitchen window sill, as always had the window open!
In fact, I use to, have to order in bags & bags of Peanuts from my Wholesale Catering supplier just to feed the birds.
And, watching them, whilst baking away was a regular pleasure.
My Mother spent hours with binoculars, glued to her eyes.
Then, gradually the numbers & varieties declined till in recent years - 2000 onwards particularly; only the odd Blackbird, a pair of Robins & the occasional Blue-Tit remained; the House Sparrows & Starlings, once the most commonest of visitors, having became almost non-existent in my area.
Several Winters ago, in an attempt to recapture these moments, I invested in new Bird Feeders, all to NO avail.
They've hardly attracted any attention.
I ended up, throwing away, the damp rotted uneaten food.
However, this year things are looking up BIG time!
I've been going out regularly to refill the said hangers; the Sunflower Seed mix proving particularly popular.
It seems my bird population is growing again FAST.

This Autumn, there were, an awful lot of berries on my shrubs...The Blackbirds for one, l0ved them!
And, I was NOT that diligent re harvesting my Apples, fallings abounded.
Plus, my gardens certainly, become wilder due to neglect on my part - more like a Nature Reserve, ie better cover, more natural food - this has obviously encouraged the sparse local birdlife to visit me once more.
Hence, today, I've had my most successful Dusk Garden Birdwatch in 10 years.
My biggest regret!
Yes - moaning again, about not having a zoom camera lens - but, was unable to capture the visitors!
Therefore, have resorted to photo's courtesy of Flickr & this Mosaic maker, to show off, the birds I saw in MY hour in & around the Apples trees, where the Bird Feeders hang.
The list reads like this, going across from left to right...Blackcap, 1 rusty capped female; Robins, 2 & paired; Blackbirds, 5 - lots of courting maneuvers; Bullfinches, male & female, 5; Dunnock, aka Hedge Sparrow 1!
Starlings in bushes, 2; Blue Tits, flitting between hangers 5; Long Tailed Tits, 7 - na flock & so pretty & tweeting sweetly; Song Thrush, feeding on fallings, 1: Great Tits - 3!
'Jenny' Wren, a tiny but regular guest 1; Gold Finches, 3 - a welcome sight; House Sparrows, 2; Green Finches, 2 - a rarity; Magpie, 1 - not that welcome as scares off other birds!

Other 'Wildlife' sightings included, amazingly - a Grey Squirrel, a first - he was actually doing acrobatics on a feed hanger in a vain hope of grabbing nuts!
And, 2 Cats - Lola & Zoe, Pussycat Pauls Furkids, lurking slyly in shrubs; till sent off by me.

I am sooooooooooo delighted with this count!
It's such a major improvement in 12 months.
Will collate the details & send off the the RSBP, asap again with pride.