I didn’t publish a post last week as to be honest I had nothing of interest to write about. To be frank the same could be said for this week.
We have lots of tidying up to do in the garden but it has been too cold or too wet or too wet AND cold to tempt us outdoors other than to take Ruby for a walk. Ruby doesn’t mind getting wet when going for a walk or playing chase but flatly refuses to pop out in the rain to fulfill toileting requirements.
Our walking venues were very quiet with most walkers having a canine companion.
For want of anything better to write about, I decided to have a walk around the garden.
The first hellebore flowers are putting in an appearance and the sarcococca is hanging on to its fragrant petalless flowers. Having such strong perfume it doesn’t need bright petals to attract pollinators.
Snowdrops are now flowering and patches of white are appearing in areas of the garden where I don’t remember planting them.
Buds of shrubs such as skimmia and camellia are just eager to burst. I wonder which will be first.
It seems that maybe more bulbs than first expected have survived the creature that had fun digging in the pots. Hyacinths probably posed too difficult a challenge although some smaller bulbs are also shooting.
A lonely iris reticulata is flowering in one tub where I know that I planted lots. Although, I wouldn’t have planted it so near the edge of the pot.
Elsewhere, in a pot that I am sure that I didn’t plant up, is a clump of irises that have been flowering for a few weeks. Some bulbs are just laid on the compost and it also seems that some other types of bulbs – probably miniature daffodils are also popping up in the same pot. Does that pot contain the bulb thief’s stash?
As well as in the garden, snowdrops are making an appearance in the park and at Nostell.
At this time of year, the structure of the trees is particularly noticeable. A couple of trees have densely packed twiggy growth in the centre of the trees. I think that this is called witches’ broom. Interestingly the trees are quite close to each other on opposite sides of the path
Another tree looks sinister. This deformity is probably caused by storm damage in the past. It conjures up all sorts of ideas in my mind. What about you?
Moles seem to be very active this year. There are large clusters of oversized molehills in most of the places where we walk Ruby. Of course, she has to investigate every one. Someone had trampled these down before I could take photos so they were less impressive. I’d love to see a mole pop up.
We took food for the waterbirds at Nostell.
Most of the birds will come and feed peacefully with Rub equally peacefully watching.
At present, feeding the birds can be challenging as the two juvenile swans are a nuisance. We have to feed the other birds when the swans are on the other side of the lake. As soon as they see what is happening they steam towards us and once they start to climb out of the water, we need to make a hasty retreat. We have to pull Ruby away too as she just watches them coming towards her.
They are not interested in any food we throw in front of them and head towards us with the obvious intention of mugging us. They follow us until they realise that no more food is forthcoming. It’s very intimidating. It’s time that the adult male swan sent them on their way.
A video is posted here. There is some erratic camera work that reflects the panic!
A much more peaceful wildlife encounter was with this lovely Angle Shades moth that decided to rest on our front door.
Finally, a couple of last week’s meals.
I made a bean casserole using some of our leeks and carrot.
I also made a Thai turkey stir fry, to which I added our red onion, red chilli, frozen green peppers, and I also added some of our frozen peas. Sorry I forgot to take a photo.
That’s all for this week so until next time, as always. stay safe and stay well.
My snowdrop clumps are getting bigger, I’m pleased about that and other bulbs popping up here and there will soon be flowering. I love trees especially when they are without their leaves and they take on such interesting shapes. Those birds were so funny and scary too
It’s a slow time of year for the gardener but it’s nice to see the spring bulbs putting in an appearance now. The onion sets and seed potatoes are in the garden centres so it won’t be long until it’s the busy period again. Oh dear, those cygnets, haha, they’re going to be bullies!