I woke up on Tuesday morning to such sparkling blue sky and such glorious sun that by 7.15 I was out on the heath caught by the light filtering through the new young leaves. Down on Kenwood lake a lone goose sailed slowly towards me, contemplated the shore, turned around and then stopped to meditate. …
Kenwood House
Random flora, swans and courting Mandarin ducks
Late daffodils down by Kenwood lake – and breaking buds on the trees up on the ridge. Bluebells hiding behind the railings down by the Boating pond and delicate early cow parsley Down on Hampstead Pond No 1. our swan watcher reported that one swan pair has hatched no less than ten cygnets. I haven’t …
Magnolias, pussy willow buds (talking!) and a very cross swan!
Those who would like to listen rather than look can go straight to this ‘talking’ budding pussy willow video. There is also a description of the cross swan at the bottom of this post as well as a video. Those who would like to visit the magnolias first, please read on. Held by yesterday’s and …
Magnolias, pussy willow buds (talking!) and a very cross swan!Read More
Bursting bud talking walk
The magnolia tree in front of Kenwood House is so close to bursting out all over – just one more day of full sun. So first up, a talking walk around the tree, followed by a wander through the daffodil bank. From the end of the daffodil bank I walked round the back of the …
Magnolia, Nevada and a talking walk to Hampstead Village
It is not quite there yet, but the Kenwood magnolia is poised. One more day of good sunshine and those creamy silk vase shaped petals will have burst into full flower. Round a corner into the woods I came across a long fallen tree whose trunk had rotted and crumbled. Squatting down to look closer …
Magnolia, Nevada and a talking walk to Hampstead VillageRead More
Early morning sun
I am not good at catching the early morning sun. It is not that I get up late – I am an early riser. But long habit draws me first to my desk and then, before I know it, it is 2pm and I am catching the late afternoon instead of the early morning sun. …