I was packing up after work today, when I heard an almighty racket from out on the meadow. I grabbed my camera and ran round the house to see what on earth was going on. I couldn't see anything untoward at first, but then I caught a glimpse of burnt orange amongst the meadow-grass; a … Continue reading The Fox And The Duck
Nature
Slowly, slowly …
... as we head into June, May is arriving. What should have been a show-stopping leap centre-stage, has been a slow, very late and frankly embarrassing shuffle in from the wings. Not much is flowering at the Priory therefore though there is plenty of new, green growth. Here in the rock border, ferns (which survived … Continue reading Slowly, slowly …
An Arum By Any Other Name
Were you to visit The Priory at this time of year, and were I to gently push your nose under bushes and hedges and into shady, damp corners you would certainly notice Arum maculatum. You might not know it by its Latin name but perhaps you call it Lords and Ladies. Or Cuckoo flower - … Continue reading An Arum By Any Other Name
Priory Picture Post # 20
I know that I have posted photos of a grass snake before (see - 'Grass Snake') but when I noticed one today (twice the size of the one I saw last September), I was rather excited. And very pleased. While I can't say that I approve of their diet (frogs and toads), I am only … Continue reading Priory Picture Post # 20
The Dales Way
Mr K over at Gardening at the Edge thought me quite mad to go walking at this time of year. Harsh, I thought but I see his point. I would have preferred to have gone in late March as I did last year (see - 'And Back Again'): it's generally warmer, early flowers are out … Continue reading The Dales Way
Beaky and the Nest Boxes
I'm back home safe and sound from my winter walking adventure in Yorkshire and Cumbria. It'll take a few days more to sort through all the photos and come up with some wordsandwordsandwords. In the meantime ..... A few weeks ago, I posted some photos of blue tits using the bird feeders at the Priory. … Continue reading Beaky and the Nest Boxes
A River Runs By It
I scampered over to the northern edge of the Priory grounds the other day. (I do quite a bit of scampering when no-one's about). Here, a small river forms the boundary to the estate. In summer it can dry up almost entirely, leaving just a broken line of deep, shady pools; in winter it can … Continue reading A River Runs By It
The Anxious Gardener 