BUMPING DOWN, BUMPING DOWN THE ROAD….

 

To give you an idea of how long ago I took this photo, that little girl would be about 17 years old now. 

I was standing on the opposite side of the street, not a very wide one, when mother, little girl and toy kitty came bouncing down the road. It gave me a big smile and a chuckle as I quickly caught the moment. 

We were visiting my home and had gone to a nearby town.This was a place I visited often to see friends before I met my dear other half.  

I came across the photo again and there it was, the same smile, the same chuckle. I wonder if she still has that little kitty like I still have my old teddy bear? 

Thanks for visiting and I hope your day is a great one.

EURASIAN COOT PARENTS AND CHICKS

This is from an old post on a vacation we took to England in the summer of 2015. When I was very young we used to visit this area a lot. I don't remember any other birds there except for the swans, and if we were lucky and at the right time of the year, we would see their cygnets. I still remember the excitement of seeing them as a young child. I remember the excitement of seeing these wonderful Eurasian Coots as an adult.  

You can enlarge my photos to get a clearer view. The Eurasian Coot's scientific name is "Fulica atra" and it is recognized by its snowy white bill and forehead shield.  The rest of its coloring is a dark sooty grey, but it does have bright red eyes.  

Immature birds are generally paler than adults, with a white wash on the throat.  Nestlings are downy black with fine yellow tips. The head is orange-red and the bill is red with a creamy white tip.

The Eurasian Coot ranges from Eurasia to Indonesia, New Guinea and Australia.  Birds have also recently transported themselves to New Zealand, and the species is quickly becoming established.

Food is mainly obtained during underwater dives which can last up to 15 seconds, and they can swim down to about 21 to 22 feet in depth.  Birds also graze on the land and on the surface of the water.  In Australia, Eurasian Coots feed almost entirely on vegetable matter, supplementing their diet with a few insects, worms and fish.  Birds of the northern hemisphere tend to be much more carnivorous.  

They breed any time conditions are favorable and may produce successive broods.  During the breeding season pairs establish and maintain territories with vigor.  Their aggression is also extended towards other species.  Nests of ducks are often seized and used as roosting sites, the unfortunate owner's eggs being pushed off into the water.  Young ducks and grebes are sometimes killed.  The nest is often a floating raft of vegetation or is built on logs or tree stumps that are surrounded by water.  Both male and female coots share incubation and care of the young.  If food becomes scarce the young birds may be killed by the parents. Nature can be wonderful but it can also be cruel. I have to keep reminding myself it is very much a matter of survival of the fittest.

I spotted these coots at Torcross in Devonshire a couple of months back (this was actually in the summer of 2010 which I mentioned in the beginning of this post). Across the road from the sea is a fresh water lake. This area is called Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve, which you can take a look at here.  There were dozens of water birds which were a whole lot of fun to observe.  They are quite used to humans.  We sat on the bench for a long time, but got up and left when a family arrived with their small dog. The ducks, of course, all headed for the water and were gone.  After walking around Torcross Village and on our way back to the car, they had returned and another family had appeared to enjoy the bench we had been sitting on.

I was fascinated by the coots and their very territorial behavior but did not realize they were as aggressive as what I read online. Still, they are a fascinating bird, especially when you look at those enormous, strange looking feet.  There is overwhelming evidence that birds are the descendants of a maniraptoran dinosaur, probably something similar - not identical - to a small Dromaeosaur.  You can take a look here.

Added note: I found a website with photos of Torcross here.  You can enlarge by clicking on them.

Thank you for looking at my coot post, and a happy day to you all.

FROM THE ARCHIVES - THE CHURCH WHERE WE WERE MARRIED

I was thinking of waiting to reshare these photos next December on our anniversary but decided not to wait. The church is in the village where I lived before I met Gregg. Our son was Christened here a few years later. I took these photos in 2015 on vacation.  

It was wonderful visiting again. Built in circa 1400 (west tower), remainder built in circa 1450, chapel circa 1520, and the Chancel was restored in 1874.

The Oxeye Daisies were growing everywhere…

and I loved taking photos of them. These are a few as I was a snap-happy-camper that day.

This is the lane leading up to the church.

In folklore and mythology, Oxeye daisies have been associated with purity, innocence and new beginnings.  

Thanks for visiting and indulging me while I reshare another post.  

I hope your day is a great one!

BIRDS AT ST. JAMES PARK, LONDON

These are old photos from a vacation in England in 2015. We spent a few days in London and had a great time exploring Saint James Park. It became a favorite place to go as it was a short walk from our hotel. There were many different kinds of feathered friends. Here are a few and I have provided links with more information on each name, including a map of the park here.

I rarely get to see a Graylag Goose. This may have been the last time.

The next two photos show the Ross' Goose. I went here to identify. If any of my ID's are wrong, I would be happy for the correction. I am no expert, always learning.

This goose is slightly larger than a mallard and smaller than a Canada Goose.

Next is the Great-crested Grebe.  

Coot chick

Ruddy Shelduck

  I had never seen any before my holiday. 

There are more facts at this website.

Sometime I will share more birds from the park.

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - A PHOTO FAVORITE

 

This was taken on Dartmoor in June 2015 while on vacation.  I have left a link on the name, with information and a great slide show of the area. 

The foal was part of a larger herd of ponies roaming the moors. There were several foals to be seen that day.

For those who haven't been coming here for long and don't know my background story, years ago before I met my dear other half, I lived in a small village not too far from the moors. My family and I visited Dartmoor at every opportunity.  Long before that we would holiday in South Devon twice a year, from the time I was eight years' old.  It was a place we always longed to return. 

When I was fifteen my father retired and we all moved down to Devonshire permanently. The day my parents told us the news, it brought a lot of joy. I always loved Devon, and no doubt I always will. 

This is in the southwest of England. I have included three maps below of Devonshire.  The first one is from this link.  It identifies certain landmarks.   

Next, both maps show the County of Devonshire outlined in red, easily seen in the first.  In the one showing the whole of Great Britain, you can just about make out an identical outline at the bottom of the map, in the top part of the ‘toe’ of England.

Thanks for visiting and I hope your day is full of sunshine.

LONDON SIGHTS FROM JUNE 2015

Resharing a few sights around London towards the end of a vacation from several years ago.  Some of you may remember them, but it's been a long time.  It was a very interesting walk around the city, and I like looking back on my old posts.

 

SATURDAY MORNING NOT AT THE BIRD FEEDER - THE TIPSY DUCK

Lesson learned!  He was in the land of Scrumpy, the day was sweltering, ducky was parched.  

Next time he is going to ask for a long, icy cold glass of water.  He is not going to look at the duck at the next table and ask, "What's that you're drinking?"  and then say "Scrumpy?  What's that?"

May your wings fly steady and may you have a great day.  

Thanks for flying by.