In recent days goldfinches have joined the ranks of birds swooping on the feeders.
We think we may be harbouring an extra long tailed variety.
Mum’s care home is now in total lockdown. Several of us telephoned her in turn.
I believe that is now widespread. Jackie photographed this conversation through a window at Barton on Sea. The son had left flowers at the door.
The cliff top grassed area was as crowded as any other spring Sunday afternoon, except that all the groups appeared to be keeping their distance from others.
Mudeford harbour was even more crowded, yet people picnicked
and played;
walked dogs;
and occupied benches in company
or in solitude.
Gulls simply winged it overhead or
over the shore at low tide,
while a pack of motor cyclists came along for the ride.
Turning inland,
on Braggers Lane
a jogger maintained his solitude.
Across the landscape in a roughly central position stands All Saints Church, Thorney Hill.
Pools still line Forest Road near Holmsley,
where ponies ponder,
graze,
and reflect.
Early this evening Jackie nipped out to photograph Elusive Eric the pheasant, who evaded her, so she settled for
primroses,
cyclamen,
the Cryptomeria Bed,
the Dragon Bed,
daffodils and wood anemones.
This evening we dined on succulent duck breasts roasted with new potatoes; with crunchy cauliflower, carrots, and Brussels sprouts. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the El Zumbado Garnacha Syrah, this time 2018 vintage.
Good Morning Derrick!
So far in the wilds of Portland, OR, we have seen Dark-Eyed Juncos at our feeder.
We are expecting the Black-Capped Chickadees to make their entrance soon.
Thank you, Marc.
Lucky that you can still get out and about. We’re fortunate in that we can walk/run around our 27 hectacre Domaine gardens but we can only leave the grounds for a spot of shopping but not together, just singly. We certainly can’t go to the beach or for a wander round any of the harbours.
Thanks very much, Sheree. We mostly stayed in the car
Good, pleased to hear that. You can’t be too careful.
Wish we could get all that terrific produce–do you have a market close by? Delicious sounding.
Heartening to see so many folk strolling by the sea–good pictures, as always. Thanks, Derrick
Thanks very much, Cynthia. We do have a good market, but also good local shops.
We can’t go out and shop safely; delivery here is so backed up it is very hard to count on. Thus, I will even more enjoy your descriptions of dinner!
I hope they don’t become too tantalising, Cynthia. Thanks again.
Ha! 🙂
Jackie’s photo of the conversation through the window got me all emotional. My heart is with all of the seniors in care homes…that they can’t have family/visitors for awhile is good, but still sad. My heart is especially with your Mum.
Love the B&W photos, especially the gulls. We might have to fly solo or in pairs or in small family groups these days…but we can still fly, soar even. Especially in our hearts. 🙂
And like the ponies…we can still graze and reflect. 🙂
We are getting out to take walks with Cooper, to the post office once a week, and to get groceries once a week. And we have our yards to enjoy. Next time we need some food, we will try and have the grocery store deliver it to our porch.
(((HUGS))) and more mush <3 🙂
Thank you very much for these profoundly reflective comments, Carolyn XX
Siddy and I still go for our walks everyday. He gets to say hello to everyone while I just give a cheery wave from a few metres back. As our figures almost doubled over the weekend I’m expecting us to reach lockdown position pretty soon. I’m really grateful for my revamped tiny house!!
Thanks very much, Pauline. Your daughters will keep you under control. XX
They are bossy boots – don’t know where they get that from!
🙂
Stunning photography sir. I’ve seen a few photos of the meet-ups through separated by glass. So sad at the moment.
Thank you very much, Gary.
I love those pondering ponies! It looks like most of your daffodils have escaped Eric the Pheasant. Hopefully Jackie will be able to capture his image next time. 🙂
We are having a bright sunny day here today. Rain returns tomorrow, so says the weather forecasters.
Thanks very much, Lavinia. We have another fine day with a cold east wind.
It’s good that you are getting out and not sitting in front of the TV all day. Unfortunately the news is not going to cheer any of us!
It certainly isn’t, Ronnie. Thanks very much.
I really like the black-and-white photos. They remind me of the mid-1960s, when I was a kid. The nursing homes and assisted living facilities are on lock-down here, too. There was a news story last night showing a high school girl Irish step dancing on the patio of her grandfather’s nursing home, while he watched through the window. It was his birthday.
Thank you very much, Liz. A most poignant story
Yes, the smiles from both sides of the glass said it all.
It’s nice to see your bird population increase, but where is Mr Nugget?
Each day we say we hope he is otherwise engaged. Fingers crossed. Thanks very much, Dolly.
You are very welcome, Derrick. Perhaps Mrs Nugget talked him into relocating.
This morning I counted fourteen magpies in the field opposite our house. Spooky. No social distancing. People like the bikers who ignore advice will get us all locked down!
Thanks very much, Andrew.
Sounds like a wonderful day. Hope you have a wonderful week.
Thanks very much, Mrs W. I hope yours improves.
Thank you.
Cardinals are in abundance this year. I can never get a photo, though!
Mine have to be done through a window from a distance, Leslie. Thanks very much.
Lovely photos, Derrick. I’m glad to hear your Mum is safe and under lock down.
Thank you very much, Jill
It’s all a little surreal isn’t it?
Despite the new guidelines, we managed to get around them safely today. I will tell all tomorrow.
Good to see that you are still getting out.
Thanks a lot, Sue.
I’m sorry about your mom, though you expected it was coming. I’m glad she’s able to talk to all of you on the phone.
Wonderful photos–that horse reflection was excellent.
Thanks very much, Merril. We had to stagger the phone calls so as not to tire her – but she was fine.
That’s good.
I take the b/w photos as a present to brighten my day. Thank you!~
I’m pleased you got that, Bridget. And thank you, too.
I’m enjoying my distance and space.. here at home…..
https://youtu.be/tBkkplOiSjQ
Thanks very much, Ivor. A fascinating link. I liked the moving, blinking, eye.
My pleasure Derrick
That is indeed a goldfinch with an amazingly long tail! I liked your variety of subjects and styles a good deal today.
I’m pleased, Tootlepedal. Thank you very much.
We decided not to visit my parents because we were worried about giving them something, but then my dad became worried he could give us something since he has a sore throat. My mom offered we could come down to their house, 40 minutes away, and wave in at them through the window but my daughter is handling this okay for now, if she knew she could only see her grandmother through a window, I’m pretty sure she would have a complete meltdown. I declined my mom’s offer and instead my husband took them some supplies and transported some boxes for our move in two weeks.
A sensible approach, Lisa. I do hope your move goes well. Thank you very much.
I had to go back to check the long-tailed goldfinch – very impressive. Some interesting and thought-provoking photos. today.
Thanks a lot, Quercus.
🙂
I loved the beach pictures and Jackie’s shots of the garden. Just lovely. I finally posted again myself. Stay safe.
Thanks very much, Lisa. You, too.
The photo of the gulls on the beach at low tide is my favorite. As for new birds, I caught a flash of a woodpecker late this afternoon, working its way up and down a nearby tree. I’m not sure which species it was, but it will be fun to find out.
The conversation through the window is just so sad. It reminded me of prison conversations I’ve seen in films and tv shows: one on either side of the glass or wire. I suppose the comparison’s apt; we’re increasingly imprisoned by this horrid disease.
That certainly is an apt comparison, Linda. I’m pleased you liked the shore pics. Thank you very much.
These are extraordinary times. Those folks are doing the right thing being circumspect. Perhaps Eric the pheasant too is observing social distance from humans…
Thank you very much, Uma. Eric certainly doesn’t hang about.
Another beautiful day! Stunning pictures Derrick! I guess is better they locked down the place! It will be easier for the healthcare people to take care of the elderly! Stay safe too Derrick!
Lockdown was inevitable, Ribana. Thank you very much.
Surely “Elusive Eric” must be a relative of that long ago punk singer Wreckless Eric ?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wreckless_Eric
🙂 I’d never heard of him, John. Thanks very much.
Great post – but – Where’s Nugget?
Looks like the ponies are shedding their winter coats, are they forecasting warmer weather for you?
It’s been forever since I made duck – I’m going to have to keep that in mind.
Thanks very much, GP. After several days of our hoping an absent Nugget was otherwise occupied he put in an appearance this morning.
Glad to hear it – but doesn’t he know about social distancing? ?
He must do 🙂
Thank you, Derrick for these beautiful and heartfelt moments. I need this bright garden in my morning, and must admit my eyes misting as well a few times looking over the people.
I hope you and Jackie and all of yours stay utterly safe.
–Rose
If I could grow cyclamens in my garden, I would be beside myself with joy. Must be so very hard not being able to visit loved ones who are in care facilities. Stay safe, be well.
Thanks very much, Laure. And you.
Beautiful photos, Derrick. Oh how I wish things were green and blooming here, as it would help make things much more bearable. You and yours all stay safe and well. <3
Thank you very much, Julie. And you and yours.
You live in such a beautiful place, Derrick. Thanks for the snapshots into your day. My cyclamens are up, too. They were a favorite of Mum’s so I always think of her.
Thanks very much to you, too, Alys.
Thank you.
Those birds are loving that feeder,
Beautiful photos.
The black and white photos are simply gorgeous.
Thank you very much, More
You’re very welcome
The ponies are certainly looking cleaner. That brown one looked especially well-groomed. Nice to see the dragon. 🙂
Thank you very much, JoAnna.
I think that people really, really don’t get what two meters apart looks like … however, enough of that mad lot, back to the beauty that is your ‘sanctuary in the storm’. I’m sure Jackie will get that shot of Eric one day soon. 😀
Thanks very much, Widders. Last night in Coventry 20 people, including a toddler, refused to break up a barbecue party. Police had to tip it over. Jackie does keep trying.
Totally incomprehensible … and reprehensible.
Lovely photography and some of the black and whites were strikingly beautiful!
Thank you very much, Geetha
Most welcome Derrick 🙂