Oh-oh. Vicky has spotted something on the river
straight ahead towards the far bank.
Well, worra surprise.
'Our' swan family are out on the river again.
Most of the cygnets are sleeping.
Bet they had a hard night last night thanks to the storms.
Line astern.
They all know the significance of Vicky
shaking her swan food pellets.
So, how has 'lockdown' benefited the swan family.
Less people allowed in the park and, thus, less food put
out for them by people, so they have had
to pursue food sources down the brook and along the river.
Less foxes, gulls, rats in the park as a result so the cygnets
survived the crucial first few days of their lives.
By this time last year they had lost about half the cygnets.
River has predators but they have evaded them and
seem to have done OK (up to now).
That's our theory, anyway.
Bee on a poppy.
Similarly, the park keepers have been furloughed
for a lot of the 'lockdown' period.
This has meant that a few areas of the park have
been left to grow 'wild'.
Blackberry bushes have spread out further and, in turn,
there are more wild flowers and nettles growing in amongst them.
And where there are nettles……..
…… there is a whole community of bugs such as these.
Typical.
Bumble bees have no respect for the amateur photographer.
They take off just as (or after) yer finger presses the button.
They're working hard y'see.
A bug enjoying eating another smaller bug.
Not sure we've seen one of these before.
Vicky has named this one a leaf dwelling green beetle.
That'll do then.
A grey-ish leaf dwelling beetle.
A bee investigating a flowers treasures……
….and reversing back out again.
eight vegetables in the wok with some olive oil.
Give it a whirl.
add chicken, pasta, pesto, and pine nuts.
Give it a whirl.
serve up with a sprinkle of oregano.
Delicious!
Fresh peaches, raspberries, yoghurt, fruit compote
and flaked almonds.
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