THE RAMBLINGS OF A STRUGGLING ARTIST ON LIFE WITH TWO TERRIERS, A PONY WITH ISSUES AND OTHER WILDLIFE AND BIRDS THAT CROSS OUR PATH

6 March 2013

WATERY SUNSHINE


I'm afraid I've been stuck in bed since yesterday morning with some horrible bug I caught from Origami Boy. He got over it in 24 hours but it doesn't seem to be so easy as an adult! So, these pictures are from Monday when the sun was trying to do what it eventually managed yesterday. I saw its glorious brightness through the window between bouts of sleep but felt little of its effects unfortunately. 

On Monday, the cloud was high and white and thick; so much so that you could observe the sun without blinding yourself or having its image burned into the retina for the next half hour. It gave the whole landscape a strange and slightly eerie feel. I'm not sure if the pictures quite put that across but here goes.








Hmmm - really not sure how successful they are. Anyway, I feel another nap coming on. Poor Snippet didn't get his walk yesterday but seemed to evolve almost immediately into sleep-dog. The more exercise he gets, the more excitable he becomes. While we were out, we found a number of patches of spawn that we didn't rescue that have sadly perished. The ice didn't help but the dry couple of weeks has meant the puddles have evaporated. I hope something will be able to feed on them so their existence hasn't been completely wasted.


I'm only putting this next terrible photo in because people have questioned me in disbelief in the past about Crows 'worrying' Buzzards. I did once read something about why they do it but have since forgotten in a depressingly middle aged way. Here's the proof anyway. The only reason I included it is because their colours are so distinct rather than being the usual silhouettes against the bright sky.


This itchy sheep made me laugh. It was frantically burrowing into its fleece. Couldn't get close enough to check for maggots but I very rarely see them up here. Great farmers who check them regularly. 


Right - snooze time. I'll be VERY glad to get back to normal. I had to cancel my crown/bridge combo fitting yesterday so no doubt the temporary ones will be stuck in an apple before the week is out. They can't do them now until the 19th. Popular dentist which is kind of reassuring. Until next time....here's Snippet on Monday and then today in sleep-dog mode.




15 comments:

  1. I've also seen crows mobbing buzzards. It does have to be seen to be believed. Snippet allowed on the sofa :-0- don't tell Ted!

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  2. Sorry you have struck with a bug! Hope you are feeling better very soon. Your photographs have been lovely to look through.

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  3. CT - Snippet has only been allowed on for the last few months....we cracked. He is most definitely not supposed to be snuggling into the cushions and was chucked off after I took this picture!

    Ann - That's very kind of you to say so about such a bland lot! I managed to walk up the lane today so things are looking better.

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  4. Oh no, hope both of you are feeling a bit more lively soon! Snippet does look SO comfy there though... !

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  5. I see what you mean about sleep dog Em.

    I have seen crows mobbing buzzards before - I don't think the buzzards are scared, more just irritated.

    Hope the bug has disappeared today.

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  6. Much better - thank you. I'd agree about their irritation!

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  7. Sorry to read of the bug Em, hope you continue to improve. I enjoyed your atmospheric photos. Raptors are frequently mobbed by other birds and carrying on from my Fieldfare theme some raptors have been grounded by mobs of Fieldfare defecating or even vomiting on them!! Sorry, hope that doesn't remind you too much of the bug! Sleepy Snippet looks so cuddly, I couldn't have evicted him ;-)

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  8. Thanks for my first laugh of the day at the idea of Fieldfare vomiting and pooing on a Buzzard. I will definitely be looking out for that now! I moved the cushions and he was straight back up....

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  9. This side of the pond the Crows and Blue Jays chase the Hawks in a group. I've seen 3-5 Crows with an occasional Blue Jay or two weave in and out of the woods in pursuit of a Hawk.

    Really enjoyed the photos. They have a mystic quality to them!

    Sorry you have been laid up with the bug. Most of us here have had it too. I spent Sunday and Monday in the hospital with another bad attack of A-Fib. Hopefully this new medicine will help.

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  10. You poor thing Gail. I've just been reading up on A-Fib; it must be terrifying for you. SO glad you're home again and glad you liked the photos. I think that mystic quality means you must have a decent screen on your computer! Do hope you're feeling better now. x

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  11. Hope you are getting better Em, stray bugs from children (who go to school) are a bit of a nuisance, it also happens with grandchildren as well as well I know!
    Loved the photos, such a lost lonely place Dartmoor, may it always remain so..

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  12. They are bearers of many hideous bugs! I do hope Dartmoor stays that way too. I think it will.

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  13. Such stunning photos as ever.Snippet deserves a nice snuggle after all that exercise!

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  14. Lovely to hear from you - are you back in NY?

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