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There was much competitive activity from honeybees, particularly partial to poppies
as we loaded two bags of hedge clippings and other green waste into the trusty little Modus for transporting to Efford Recycling Centre.
This was to take some time, much of which was spent in a queue of traffic,
admiring the hedgerows.
On the horizon, through a gap in the trees, can be seen an intriguing land mass.
We had enough time to watch several yachts floating by. This confirmed that the land is that of the Isle of Wight. The yachts were skimming over The Solent.
After this, Jackie drove us to Hatchet Pond and back to see if the swans had hatched their cygnets. They had.
Here are the proud parents with, according to Hans Christian Andersen, their three Ugly Ducklings,
one of which wasn’t quite sure what to do with its legs.
The Pond was so swollen that the birds chewed grass under water.
One of the parents proudly stepped onto the land,
and when they both began hissing I thought that perhaps I had alarmed them into protective mode. Not so. They had seen the couple with the black labrador as they walked behind me.
Black-headed gulls also frequent this pond.
On our return home, I posted the sixth of my seven photographs in the Filling Facebook with Nature project.
Here it is, first featured on my post of 23rd November 2013.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s piri-piri and lemon chicken; a melange of leeks, onions, and mushrooms; mashed potatoes; and carrots and green beans. This was followed by sticky toffee pudding and cream. I finished the Bordeaux.
Such cute and fluffy little cygnets! Your supper sounds really delicious. 🙂
Thank you, Sylvia. It was
Definitely not ugly ducklings, but beautiful cygnets! I love the poppies, too. Such lovely texture. Shouldn’t Jackie be running an inn or a B&B?
Thanks, Luanne. Jackie would do very well. I think its about a dozen she’ll be catering for next Sunday.
I can imagine. I am always amazed at how she isn’t content to make one yummy dish and add a salad or something. There are always several well-thought-out dishes.
As I remarked about Derrick several days back, she “hasn’t got enough to do”. 🙂
Right, I can see that! hahaha
Your pair is adorable. I hope England soaks up the excess water soon. I reckon the flower gardens don’t mind the extra moisture. What greenery!
Many thanks, Cindy
Your Facebook photo is lovely. I love how the sun’s rays are reflecting off his coat. Beautiful photos, Derrick.
Many thanks, Jill
I was just wondering when we’ll see the Isle of Wight again; this one from a most unusual perspective. 🙂
All baby birds are ugly, from a human perspective. Human babies too, when they are newborns.
Many thanks, Mary. I doubt that there are many such photos of the Isle of Wight 🙂
🙂
Adult swans can be really fierce when they have young. The gull looks a lot happier!
Thanks, John
Hello Derrick, oh how lovely all that green space appears to me tonight. I’m currently in London, staying near the Marble Arch…..yep, madness! We’re headed out of town tomorrow for tours though, so that’s nice. I saw swans today too in The Royal Gardens at Kensington (hope I’ve noted that correctly). Love that pony too!
Enjoy your trip, Boomdee. I lived very near Marble Arch for a few years. Thank you
Really!? A long ways from the peaceful garden you enjoy these days. It’s crazy busy around here.
I’ve walked all around there for years. I know it well. As you, say, a long way from home, now
Lovely the ducklings, not ugly at all! The pony is so cute too 🙂
They are not at all, Geetha. Thank you.
Welcome Derrick 🙂
Hatchet Pond seems like a very appropriate place for cygnets to be hatched.
🙂 Actually it is named for its shape, which would not be attractive to swans. Thanks, Cynthia
I figured as much…just playing with the overtones of the word.
🙂
Your nature photos are so beautiful. I love the swan family.
Many thanks, Merril
I like the bees sharing the poppy, and that pony glowing in the sunlight is a perfect “nature” photo.
Many thanks, Lisa
Excellent flower photos.
Teenage cygnets always look ugly (to me). They’re like lanky teenagers of the human kind. I love them when they just a few days old though. Tiny balls of fluff. We don’t get Mute Swans in the wild on this side of Australia and I always used to admire them at Melbourne Zoo. Much more attractive than our Black Swans.
Thanks very much, Vicki
I enjoyed giving extra clicks to the poppies so I could get a better look at the bees. Very interesting. The picture of the back-lit pony is masterful.
Many thanks, Nicki
The poppies are gorgeous! I also absolutely love the pony in the low sunlight. The Ugly ducklings are adorable, but their parents don’t approve close ups 🙂
Just discovered your blog and looking forward to reading more! Wonderful photos and I really enjoyed your retelling of your day. Best wishes from Western Australia! TJ
Many thanks TJ. My son Sam and his family live on Rottnest Island.
Wow! Small world. I must say I envy him. It is a stunning place to live. I went with the family for a day last year and rode around the whole island on bikes. Have you visited?
Not visited. They haven’t been there long. Been to Perth and Fremantle when they married in 2007
Such wonderful views Derrick.. and does that Pink poppy have a name on your first photo as I have some giant ones exactly like it in my home garden? xxx
I’m afraid we don’t know the various names of our poppies, Sue. Thank you very much
No worries at all Derrick neither do I.. but I thought I would ask xx
I love the flower and the bees! Jacki’s food sounds yummy
Thanks a lot, Lynn
lovely images, and I loved the mention of the Isle of Wight, home of my Grandfather and Great Aunt. It’s been 40+ years since I’ve visited, but I remember it well.
Many thanks, Laurie. The Isle is in the background of many of my pictures.
We don’t think the cygnets are ugly at all. The story was inaccurate.
Of course. Thank you both, Mostly
We have the ugly ducklings here too. They’re six right now, but not everyone survive in the long run. Many hungry animals see them as food. But the ducklings are soo cute, I hope they make it and get away from those who wants to eat them.
Thank you, Anna