The pheasants are back
They were around in the spring and then on about August 12th they disappeared, presumably feeling the call of duty to go back to their home ground to be shot. However some of them must have survived, as they are back
strutting around as if they own the place
Out of over a thousand lambs on our surrounding farm eighty are left. They go up and down the lane and each time less come up than went down
watched by Roy
One of them is ear-marked for us.
Likewise the cows go up and down the lane
for them, the last trip down – which is due to happen shortly – means another six months living inside and eating silage.
Out of the seventeen Autumn juvenile hedgehogs under our care only one seemed not viable – his back legs did nothing so he was named Legless
A phone call to our nearest Hedgehog Sanctuary informed us it was probably spine damage and to the vet for euthanasia was the only option. However he is now walking normally – it is a miracle – or, as the vet named it, Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome. The vet has also taught us how to inject for worming and given us a load of wormer “it was out of date anyway”.
Some animals consider themselves ubiquitous and multi-seasonal
and of course Floppy and his Claire think they are here to stay
while Jenny practices her aerobatics
Meanwhile the ducks explorations take them to a fallen watering can
The combination of sucking water from various orifices and beating beak rhythms on the hollow plastic lead to duck ecstasy.
They were trying to avoid the latest worrying intrusion on their patch
little knowing that a little grit is good for everyone.
Around them all, the fall:
The nuthatch collects hazel nuts (to hatch…?)
and some things bloom on
while the decay creeps up from below
and a weak rainbow encompasses all
Gribin Isaf 