Paignton Zoo

I had a trip to Paignton Zoo today, about an hours drive but worth it I reckon.
LOTS of Pea Fowl... the climate on the English Riviera must suit them!

Bee for Springwatch

Seeing as the BBC's Springwatch is in full flow right now I thought I should post this Bee. I took the shot from my front door as little Ada was trying her best to grab the poor beastie! She is learning sign language so she was frantically signing Bee while trying to get hold of it and shaking my camera hand at the same time!

Feathered Rat

I had a friend in the army called Rat, his little brother was Mouse - this post isn't about either of them...

There has been some talk on the Taunton online forum organised by the local newspaper about the Pigeons that are such a nuisance in town. I saw this one perched on the wire near the canal - it seemed to be minding its own business pretty much.

I messed around with this shot in Photoshop, adding some noise and playing around with the levels until it looked similar to the photographs in my old natural history books I read when I was a kid, I must have learned about so much of the world in black and white!

It was hot today, very hot. I was teaching on a converted bus, with the sun glaring through the windows and the computers running it was very uncomfortable. I have made a concession for the police officers tomorrow - they don't need to wear uniform, I am such a considerate teacher! ;)

Grey Heron at Firepool Weir

Not the photo I was going to post today but having seen this magnificent bird sat sunning itself on its nest tonight I had to change the plan!

I don't know if it had just been for a swim but it certainly seemed to be drying itself in the last rays of the early evening. I had not noticed the nest before today, it is only 2 minutes walk from the house so I think it must be new. Normally the herons are to be seen a few minutes further along the river or at Hankridge Water Park about 2 1/2 miles away on the outskirts of town.

Bluebell

Just before they disappear for another year the Bluebell...

The native British version of course, as opposed to the more dominant new Spanish species.

These are pictured close to the castle, on the walk back to town from French Weir.

British, Spanish, French... how international is Taunton all of a sudden! ;)

Gorse

Another photo from down in Children's Wood.
This time a Gorse in full flower - I guess it's a weed, you wouldn't want it in your garden but it does look great on heathland where it is usually the biggest splash of colour

Somerset Willow Fair

Well I am back - a few days later than expected but I have had a week off work and I took advantage of it! I will make up for missing so many posts - I hope!

Yesterday I went to Somerset Willow Fair in Vivary Park in Taunton. It's a little celebration of willow weaving and basket making set up by several small interested parties from the Somerset Levels.

It was a great little event, lots of demonstrations and classes going on, in fact it's still running today for anyone who can pop down! I was particularly impressed with all the work the companies had been doing with the local schools, it seems every school around had some sort of willow monster, dragon, dinosaur or similar to show off. At least one of the schools had created a living willow covered seating area - that will look fantastic in a year or two I reckon.

Anyway - here is what has got to be the biggest, walk-in, woven watering can in the world... unless you know different?

Ladybug

Ladybirds are a bit of a feature in my house, from the fancy dress costume hanging up in Ada's room to the large, sit-on, toy in the front room. However these two were enjoying a quiet lunch together today on the bank of the river heading towards Hankridge.
The holiday weekend is over, in less than five hours I have to get up and get ready for work again - ho hum! Hope you all had a good weekend wherever you are.

Quantocks

Went walking in the Quantocks today, it was great - the trees up there have a hard life - mostly Hawthorn and like this one they grow really slowly and are seriously windswept.

The Fun Farm

Lately my little Ada baby has been getting so excited when she sees animals of any kind, and so incredibly good at learning the sign language for them, that we thought it would be good to take her to a farm.
So this morning at 11:00 we met some friends at The Fun Farm 5 minutes away from the house.
It was incredibly good, the farmer there has been working the farm for 20 years but has found it increasingly difficult to make ends meet so now he has shut up shop as a 'real' farm and caters exclusively for parties of children.
I might use more photos next week but for now I would say if you are anywhere close - go and visit! £2.50 for adults, £1 for children - a good half days worth of things to do at least.

Shield Bug - Where's Wally?

While walking through town today, outside the swimming pool in fact, I saw this Shield Bug, I've always liked them. They have great colours if you get up close. It's just a shame this one was sat in the middle of a flower bed... I just know Ame will slate me for taking more flower photos! ;)

Waak Waaak!!!

Ducks in the UK say Quack, apparently...

I reckon they say Waaak!

It's the sort of noise I'd make if my feet and bum were permanently immersed in cold water.

Greenery

Walking home from the town centre the other night along the river near Dellers Wharf I was struck by just how GREEN some of the conifers were alongside the path.

Even though the light was fading the trees had an almost luminous quality about them, the wind was blowing through the branches so I had to use the flash to try and freeze any movement but even without the flash this really was green green!

Lizard

Another animal tonight 'cos, lets face it - I haven't had chance to leave the house and get a shot of Taunton since I got the mac back!

This is one of the three lizards that live on my kitchen wall, in fact this one only took up residence tonight... He's the most subdued, the other two are more colourful, but I thought the new boy should get the publicity tonight.

Return of the Mac!

Well I finally got the mac back from repair!

It might take me a day or two to get some photos organised but until then...

I took this on New Years Day, we have had a fair amount of rain lately and the swan was working really hard to swim up current.

It is good to be back!