Vagueness and the Aftermath - A sporadic diary

[RED-DOG]

There are tiny wild flowers everywhere, competing with the grass.

I feel like I should be able to name them but I have no idea and there are so many.

Click to see full-size image.

[RED-DOG]

A cock goldfinch is trying to attract a mate by singing his head off in this tree.

Click to see full-size image.

Meanwhile, a couple of matching butterflies quietly get together down below using the feramone method.

Click to see full-size image.

[Rod Paradise]

There are tiny wild flowers everywhere, competing with the grass.

I feel like I should be able to name them but I have no idea and there are so many.

Click to see full-size image.

Thanks for the comments Red, sorry, been about just not had a lot to say (for once).

I think that flower is called bugle.

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/bugle I looked it up last year when I noticed it on my favourite river walk.

[RED-DOG]

This tree was dying when I first came here 20 years ago. About 10 years ago they lopped the top off and attached a nest box, no doubt hoping to attract one of the many buzzards or kestrels, but so far nether the perch nor the box have been used.

The tree is still somehow clinging to life though, and still manages to produce a few dozen leaves each year.

When I first saw it I thought it would be gone in no time, now I think it has an excellent chance of out living me.

Click to see full-size image.

[RED-DOG]

Going for a walk without a dog is like having a chip butty with margarine, still great, but could have been so much better.


This is Poppy and Kizzy.

Kizzy is now half blind, half deaf and half senile, but she won't even consider being left at home and regularly does five or six miles without breaking a sweat. Not bad considering she's well into her nineties.

BTW - Before anyone mentions it, I know dogs can't sweat.

Click to see full-size image.

Winter or summer, rain or shine, Poppy insists on having a paddle and a drink from this stinking stagnant puddle.

Click to see full-size image.

[RED-DOG]

There are tiny wild flowers everywhere, competing with the grass.

I feel like I should be able to name them but I have no idea and there are so many.

Click to see full-size image.

Thanks for the comments Red, sorry, been about just not had a lot to say (for once).

I think that flower is called bugle.

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/bugle I looked it up last year when I noticed it on my favourite river walk.

A bugle eh? Thanks Geo.

Useful link too.

[Rod Paradise]

Geo? You're not saying all Scots look alike to you I hope

[Geo the Sarge]

I've never really considered what the different types of flowers are even though I've taken loads of flower pictures over the years, especially when visiting gardens at stately homes and the like.

Took a wee video of the Song Thrush this morning:

https://youtu.be/g2pcCJ7rBMs

Geo

edit: can't seem to embed using the youtube icon for some reason

[Rod Paradise]

You've a patience I don't Geo, getting video like that. Well played!

I don't usually worry too much about naming flowers etc, but where I saw the bugle flowers had me thinking they were wild orchids, so I investigated & found I was completely wrong

I do like to know about edible and useful plants/fungi though.

Currently got a lot of ransoms growing, light garlic flavour & don't repeat on you like real garlic does.


Also like to spot wood sorrel, a few of these leaves chewed gives a nice sweet/sour flavour which is refreshing.

Click to see full-size image.

[Geo the Sarge]

You've a patience I don't Geo, getting video like that. Well played!

I don't usually worry too much about naming flowers etc, but where I saw the bugle flowers had me thinking they were wild orchids, so I investigated & found I was completely wrong

I do like to know about edible and useful plants/fungi though.

Currently got a lot of ransoms growing, light garlic flavour & don't repeat on you like real garlic does.


Also like to spot wood sorrel, a few of these leaves chewed gives a nice sweet/sour flavour which is refreshing.

Click to see full-size image.

Thanks Rod

We have masses of "wild garlic" around here, never knew they had the name Ransoms. My son uses it quite a bit, and he had mentioned that he doesn't have trouble with it repeating on him like real garlic.

Will look out for the wood sorrel too

Geo

[Karabiner]

That thrush has got quite a repertoire Geo.

You did very well to capture that video.

[RED-DOG]

Yes, excellent work Geo.

Feel free to post more nature pics and video.

PS- Also buildings and machinery.

PPS- Naked women by PM only.

[Geo the Sarge]

One of the downsides of moving is that we had built a good rapport with a Vixen who visited our old back yard for the last 3 years or so, she became quite tame and we could hand feed her. She also introduced us to her partner and cubs at times:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuskLATmlzU&t=115s

apologies as I've tried to embed (dropping the s etc but won't work for me)

Geo

[Geo the Sarge]

Another fox video, just the cubs playing


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd3lYcaaFng

Geo

[Geo the Sarge]

Help please, I took this pic this morning and I have no idea what this wee beauty is. Google image suggests a goldfinch but I can't find an image of a goldfinch that looks like this. The yellow breast with the distinct black line down the front I can't seem to match. Closest I've found with similar facial markings seems to be a black capped chickadee but doesn't match the body colouring:

Click to see full-size image.

Geo