The Last days

The Year is dying. In these inbetween days we already have seven minutes more light at the end of the day:

but we still have eleven more days before the morning starts paying back:

Today – brings sun to light up the landscape

The sun, always low, gives us sharp shadows

Ian St John decide it is a day for an exploratory walk-about

Gloria, the upstart cockerel, decides it is a day to practise his stare

The psychotic muscovy drakes decide it is a good day to attack

The neighbouring sheep decide it is a good day to shelter in the dingle

And the indoor dog decides it is a good day to stay indoors

Big Duck in a Small Pond

Quite understandably Ian St John thought their pond a bit small

So they set off to find a better one

Unfortunately, this pond is full of newts and water lilies – these things should not be duck food.

So we try to make a (temporary) alternative

This picture is deceptive as John had to be put in the pond, in spite of the pallet ramp

Later, we try to make the ramp more friendly

but so far we still have to help all three of them in and out.

Meanwhile all is sorted with the right person top of the tree

Old Friend

Last Winter the Tree Creeper patrolled the Hawthorn and Ash close to the house.

Come Summer he disappeared. We know:

“When it comes to nest building, the treecreeper does not opt the most common solution. Instead, it builds its nest behind a flap of loose bark. The treecreeper starts with a base of twigs and then add grass, moss, lichen and wood chips. It takes about a week to build the whole nest. The female then lines the nest with hair, wool and feathers.”

and we don’t think we have enough loose bark.

But now, it is back – same trees, same time:

We wonder where it found its flaps.

Pink Dawn

There is often a time when the sun starts rising, even if it is below our horizon, when it shoots rays across to the West before moving up above the cloud base. It is easier to catch those moments in December than in June – it is a getting up thing.

Frozen time

Morning breath hangs in the frozen air, the frosty world changes perspective and slows down time.

Before the sun rises it illuminates a rise on the horizon that would not stand out if not white

Then when the rays break through the meadow sparkles

Night time events, normally secret and without trace, are laid out in the cold sunlight glare.

The Fox that has walked by

and the Sparrow Hawk that has pinned down its prey beneath spread wings

the resulting struggle is documented in the snow

all that is left

Liquid water needs coaxing

Traditional breed pigs may be hardy but they would prefer not to suck ice

Last night’s fall petered out towards a foot

But a new fall sprinkles down as a breeze shakes the branches

We have no way out

So we enjoy our own spectacle

Now that’s more like it

People sometimes say that snow is not like it used to be, but today it was.

It two o’clock this afternoon we measured eight inches

but at the time of writing we are now over eleven.

Our way out

was not a way out so most of the day is spent in animal care starting, of course, with the birds

We hollow out a feeding cave protected from the continuing falls and the Robin takes charge

According to Stephen Moss in a recently published book

“continental robins followed wild boars around in order to obtain the invertebrates produced when their tusks turned over the soil, in Britain – with boars hunted to extinction during the medieval period – they followed people instead.”

Whatever the reason, Robins do pop up as soon as we start doing anything outside

As Robins followed the Boar, the birds now follow the sheep as their scratching through the snow exposes the soil and its food

The wood becomes Narnia-esque

Other snowy sights

Lame Duck passed this way

Lame John and his consorts take a morning walk and leave their mark:

Also spotted today:

Winter Wonderland

The waning moon rises

and the first real snow of the season arrives

not a lot, but enough to catch the morning sun

Ian and John think it shows off their plumage

and later John decides all white is better

It is real sticky snow though

and gives our way out a bit of an enchanted feel

The top end Robin thinks it is a chance to pose

other birds try their best

the pigs take it in their stride



Bert just stays indoors

as usual
as do (most of) the bees

The Hydrangea also carries on

In the Meadow, snowy windrows

The pond is not frozen

That’s it

Sunset tonight

Followed by….

Super Moon

White Duck, Black Duck

White duck John has a poorly foot and is being given companionship by black(ish) duck Ian

Saint, John’s rightful partner, feels a bit shunned

and is off to find some black ducks of her own

they seem to have more fun

but do they really lay black eggs?

And so the sun goes down