Diary Of A Wild Country Garden

Wrapped up warm and cosy, walking with my hubby through the countryside near us, what could be better.  I just adore Autumn, everything seems to slow down, become more mellow, softer, and we are treated to a spectacular show of colour. Reds, greens and golds dominate the landscape. I love walking through fallen leaves, crisp and crunchy underfoot. Glorious in their falling from the skies, a carpet of rich colour. Memories of childhood games and crafts collecting the leaves to make wonderful pictures. The skies here are often amazing. Being nearer the sea and flatter in this part of the country, we are treated to gorgeous sunsets and dramatic storm clouds scattered across the sky. Morning mists hanging heavy, slowly giving way to a glimpse of sunlight breaking through. When the sun is out everything takes on a golden sheen which bathes the trees, houses and fields in a warm comforting glow. Wearing warm sweaters and woolly hats, a walk in the countryside at this time of year on a...

Today I looked out of the window close to my work desk and noticed that our garden was filled with birds!  I had heard their calls but was still surprised to see so many. They have been a bit quiet during the bad weather we have had.  Today they were suddenly everywhere - small ones flying and flitting around, woodpigeons and doves feeding on the ground, long tailed tits, a robin and sparrows on every single one of the feeders, blackbirds kicking up the leaves to find food beneath. The bird bath in constant use! The hedge and garden was alive with wonderful birds! No doubt they have come in to find food and water and by their behaviour maybe looking for nest sites... I saw a few birds eyeing up and testing out nesting materials, lifting up the long slender twigs, picking up bits of fluff. Also a few squabbles, maybe over potential good nest sites..  I saw a couple of sparrows checking out the eaves of our home going in and out and seeing off other bird...

You can feel the presence of a gathering storm. It hangs heavy on the air. This photo was taken while hubby and I were out walking in the countryside and it was so weird that to the left of us were clear such bright blue skies and to the right were these deep dark rolling gloomy storm clouds. It felt that it could go either way. The air became very still and the animals around went to shelter. The deer in the far distance huddled closer together. They looked agitated. No birds sang. We were out in the open in the middle of a huge field. For us too we knew, some deep instinct within that we needed to find shelter and soon. We headed off to find it. A few minutes later the wind picked up wild and blustery and trying to tear our coats off. We clung onto our hats! The air was heavy and damp as we walked quickly to find the cosy warm cafe we had passed on the way here. There was an air of anticipation, of something so much bigger than us. Upon reaching the cafe liter...

The Mysterious Owl . I love many aspects of nature and there are some creatures that although I hear them around I do not see them and cannot get close to them. One of these is the Owl.  So when I visited an event where there was an owl and Hawk display and an opportunity to hold a tame owl I jumped at the chance! I was honoured to be able to hold this beauty. I had to put on thick heavy gloves and hold my arm at right angles positioned by the handler until I got it just right. Then they transferred her over to me. She was happy to sit upon my arm and I was glad of the gloves as those claws are big and sharp! Her feathers are so rich and beautiful. She was heavy and self-assured, taking everything in. I immediately felt her presence, her confidence. The handler was telling me all kinds of facts about her but you know I seemed to phase it all out. I was so in the moment with that owl, just being there with her, feeling the power, the grace, the beauty. Her...

I do hope your Year of 2016 has started well for you. I am looking forward to a year of more flowers and more vegetables and being outside.  At this time of year, I long for Spring and yet know that I need to appreciate January for what it is in the life cycle of nature.  The short hours of daylight always start to get to me around now. However, I  know that each day we get a little more daylight and that gives me hope. We have had so far had such a very mild winter. It has however been extremely wet and rainy and on our heavy clay soil it has been like a wet soggy swamp! My wellies easily get stuck in it and walking in the grass just makes it a mud bath!   Before all the rains came we did get quite a bit of trimming and cutting back we needed to do in the Autumn so I was pleased that is all done now. Every time I went out our resident Robin would join me and several blackbirds roamed around the grass.  Today and I suspect for days to come I am not ventu...

Look at this little Robin. When I was out gardening on Sunday he was with me all the time.  He flew down about fifteen minutes after I started clearing away some branches and sat on the fence for awhile. Then after hubby had done some digging and I was lightly raking over the soil and clearing weeds, he came right down onto the soil about a foot away from me. I was crouched down at the time clearing around a shrub and stayed very still and he hopped around finding food coming up really close to me. I could have easily reached out and touched him. He was so pretty with his red markings. I dare not move for fear of startling him. He knew I was there and this little bird looked straight at me curious but not frightened. I was totally in awe of being so very close to this little wild bird. However, I needn't have worried as when I did finally have to move ( I was getting cramp!) he just stayed very calm and sat there looking at me. I think he knew he was onto a very good thing i...

I Love Autumn- Nature And The Memories   Reasons To Love Autumn/Fall This post is a little look back on Autumn's past and why I love the season. You will see Autumn photographs, gift ideas, poetry and memories. I hope you enjoy it.  Autumn or Fall is a gorgeous time of year. Nature gives us a spectacular show of colour and richness to enjoy before we are plunged into winter. Yes, the days get shorter and colder but some of my favourite colours appear in Autumn. Cosy sweaters, hats and gloves start to be worn and out come the richly scented candles evocative of spices, warmth and comfort. We have a wonderful harvest and the benefit of reaping what we have sown earlier. Often beautiful sunsets and sunrises occur and we can watch nature as the year ripens. Wonderful childhood memories come flooding back to me of walking through deep layers of richly coloured leaves and learning about all the trees. All in all Yes I love Autumn ! Viva...