Category Archives: natural history

natural history, pleasures, science

Kew Gardens

Yesterday we went to Kew Gardens to meet our friend Katy and her three children who are in London for half-term holiday, and trying desperately to avoid all the Jubilee shenanigans.

We had a great day. We’d agreed to meet at 10 and provision lunch for ourselves (we’ve not been impressed with the catering at Kew in the past); although Noreen and I did agree to provide cake for all: no mean feat when you’re meeting four cake eating fiends! We also provided a generous supply of home-made pizza.

Noreen and I left home too early. My fault as I was calculating on weekday rush hour traffic not that at dead of a grey wet Saturday morning. Even having stopped on the way to to acquire sandwiches and cake we arrived 30 minutes before the gates opened at 9.30. Boring!

Katy and troop eventually showed up just before 10.30 having (predictably) been stymied by the vagaries of London Underground. By this time Noreen and I had drunk coffee (some of which I spilled, scalding my hand — dozy git!), we’d had a wander round the shop and Kew’s all too tiny garden centre, and I had bought two orchids to add to my collection (luckily the shop were happy to keep them aside for me until we left).

Cactus Flower

Although we go to Kew at least once a year, I’ve still never managed to see more than about 40% of the 300 odd acres. And Katy hasn’t been there for half a lifetime! So we decided we’d take the motorised tour train round the gardens, to get a flavour of everything. It wasn’t very warm and was trying to drizzle; I was glad I’d worn jeans rather than shorts and had a waterproof. Sadly the tour guide/train driver was dreadful and seemed to be telling us everything except what we wanted to know — but then it’s probably designed to appeal most to Americans and Japanese (of whom there were plenty).

We managed 80% of the tour before jumping off and heading for (more) coffee and early lunch. Still, having now done the tour I now know that the parts of Kew I have seen are the parts which really do most interest me, with a couple of exceptions.

Kew Palace Panorama

After lunch, and allowing the kids to run around for a bit, we wandered off to see Kew Palace — yes, a small Royal Palace built late 17th century in the Dutch style and one of the last refuges of the madness of George III. It isn’t large, but is well done and is quite interesting, especially as in restoring it they have left some of the walls of the upper floors in pieces to show how they were constructed. The formal gardens behind the palace are also rather lovely, although the Laburnum walk was clearly well past it’s best. After this I had a little rest on a park bench (so decadent!) while the others availed themselves of a guided tour of the palace kitchens.

By this time it was nigh on 2pm and we were still cold; well the weather was unseasonably grey and breezy. So it was off in search of more coffee and share out some cake, with more time for the kids to run riot!

We then wandered off in search is the Princess of Wales Conservatory and the Palm House. There at least we would get warm! But by this time the sun was out and it turned into a rather nice afternoon.

I always like the PoW Conservatory. Like the rest of Kew there is always something to look at, whether it is flowering cacti, orchids, bougainvillea, water lilies … and there are Amazonian fish in the pond including, this time, a huge puffer fish and an enormous Plecostomus catfish.

Water Lily House

Another short rest to allow the children to let off more steam — where do they get the energy?! — and off for a quick tour of the water lily house (instant sauna!), which is always gorgeous at this time of year, and the Palm House with more aquatics in the basement as well as bananas, neem, ylang-ylang and ginger plants.

Nymphaea Cultivar

By this time we adults were on our knees, and in fact the kids were beginning to tire too. So just after 4.30 we packed up our kit and decided to go our separate ways home (having collected my orchids). We didn’t get to the roses, the Temperate House, the Japanese Garden or the Treetop Walk, all of which remain on the list for anther day. Nevertheless it was a grand day out; we got cold; we got hot; we saw lovely things, we drank coffee, we bought ourselves treats and we consumed a month’s worth of sugar. And there are still things to go back for. What more could one want?

You can find Katy’s account on her weblog.
And lots more of my photos of Kew (not just yesterday’s) on my Flickr.

natural history, personal

Reasons to be Grateful: 20

Experiment, week 20. Yes, we’re now a third of the way through the 60 week experiment! So here are this week’s five things which have made me happy or for which I’m grateful.

    Silver Birch Catkins

  1. Photographing Parakeets. As you will have seen from my post earlier in the week I spent a nice sunny afternoon sitting in the garden photographing the local Ring-Necked Parakeets.
  2. Birch Catkins and Pine Cones. The garden today has been a real delight. It’s been a bit cooler than a few days ago but still wall-to-wall sunshine. The catkins on the silver birches are just out (note to get out the hayfever tablets!) and our Christmas trees (now around 20 feet high) have enormous crops of cones, and are spreading seeds everywhere.
  3. Butterflies. The warm weather has also brought out the first butterflies, as well as the early bumblebees and queen wasps. The first butterfly I saw, a couple of days ago, was a Holly Blue. Shortly followed by a Small White. And today sitting in the sun there was a brand spanking newly hatched Comma — and I’ve not seen one of those here for a few years either.
  4. Goldcrest. While in the garden this afternoon, Noreen looked up into the smaller Christmas tree and said “What’s this bird over my head?” I went to look. And there just 5 or 6 feet above us, and completely oblivious to our presence, was the tiniest Goldcrest. It is our smallest native bird, much smaller even than a Blue Tit, and although not hugely rare it is uncommon and seldom seen because it prefers living deep in (preferably conifer) woodland. This is the second one I’ve seen here in a week; and they’re the only ones in the last 10 years! One can hope they’ll stay, but I doubt we have enough nearby trees, especially conifers. I couldn’t get a good photo of it as I was shooting against the bright sky but here’s an image from the web.

  5. Cold Roast Pork Sandwiches. Finally on a foodie theme … At the end of last week when we were in Norwich visiting my mother we picked up a large, but incredibly cheap, joint of pork shoulder for roasting in Roy’s, the local supermarket chain. It was magnificent; it was so tender that you could cut the cooked meat with a spoon. And it made some delicious cold roast pork sandwiches! I love cold roast pork!
food+drink, natural history, personal

Reasons to be Grateful: 13

Experiment, week 13. This week’s five things which have made me happy or for which I’m grateful.

  1. Green Woodpecker. I’ve always been one for watching the birds — both feathered and primate varieties. One of the feathered type which I’ve always liked but seldom seen is the Green Woodpecker, colloquially know as a Yaffle from its laughing call. I’m lucky as I now see them irregularly but several times a year going through the garden. We had one hunting for food in the snow earlier this week. They’re extremely handsome.
  2. Fresh Snow. I don’t know why, but there is always something slightly romantic about seeing snow fall and fresh, virgin snow on the ground.
  3. Baked Ham. I love home cooked, succulent ham. However I tend to avoid buying gammon joints as these days I consider gammon lacks flavour and has always been over-priced. When I can get one I buy a smoked collar joint. Collar as a cut is greatly under-rated. Collar rashers are larger and for my money much better value than the ubiquitous back bacon. Even better, if you can get it, is a large collar joint; it makes an excellent ham. (Waitrose normally have collar joints but they are mostly too small; you really need one about 1.5 Kilos — that’s the size they should be if the pig has been grown fully.) Noreen has a great way of cooking it in a plain flour and water (huff) pastry case which you discard afterwards. Eaten hot with roast or jacket potatoes, veg of choice and parsley or mushroom sauce it is great comfort food. Or eat it cold with salad, or mash and pickles, or between bread.

  4. Redwings (right) and Fieldfares (below right). These two birds are both members of the thrush family which we don’t see regularly in gardens in the UK. They are birds of open countryside where they gather in mixed flocks. They are winter visitors to the UK and only come to gardens in the hardest of weather. So we’ve had a few around over the last few days and this morning there was a mixed band of at least 60 birds sitting in our silver birch trees. Lovely to see.
  5. Fish & Chips. Yesterday we had the quarterly Anthony Powell Society London pub meet at the Audley in Mayfair. This is always a convivial and informal occasion where we enjoy good beer, good pub food, good company and interesting chat. I try not to eat much fish unless I know it is farmed or sustainably caught, but the Audley’s fish and chips is an exception: it is always good and a popular choice amongst the regulars at the pub meet. More comfort food!
natural history

There were two parrots sat in a tree

We awoke again the morning to a scattering of snow making the trees look pretty. Then I spotted these two Ring-neck Parakeets sitting in our apple tree.

There were two parrots sat in a tree

Needless to say Ring-Neck Parakeets aren’t native to this country. Originally they come from the Himalayan foothills of India so they are quite unperturbed by the snow and the cold.

They appear to have originated as escapees some time in the 1950s or early 1960s (there are several urban myths as to how this happened). Now there are several large colonies around London and they’re gradually spreading — mainly because they have few natural predators here except Sparrowhawks.

There is a large roost (I’m told 2500 birds!) just a handful of miles from us at Wormwood Scrubs which is where our birds seem to belong as we regularly see them and others flying off in that direction at dusk.

We have a pair (sometimes more) around our garden several times most days. Whether they are always the same birds I don’t know, although I suspect pairs/small groups may well have defined feeding territories so I could be seeing the same birds regularly. They’re colourful, comical and acrobatic birds which makes them fun to watch.

They’re always chattering and calling to each other, especially in flight. And they don’t half get through the bird seed!

Their bodies are noticeably bigger than a Blackbird but much smaller than a Magpie. And they have those superb long green tails, which make them quite distinctive in flight. As one would expect from their size they definitely rule the seed feeders. One Parakeet will defer to a Magpie, although it isn’t normally scared right away, it just stands aside. But two Parakeets will stand their ground against a Magpie.

I know many people think that, because they are invaders, they should be culled. I don’t agree. I think they are a delightful, colourful and exotic addition to London.

As well as the usual selection of birds, this morning I’ve also had small numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare in the garden. It must be cold!

memes, natural history, photography

[50/52] Ring-Neck Parakeet

Ring-Neck Parakeet
Click the image for a larger version
Week 50 entry for 52 weeks challenge.

Ring-Neck Parakeet this afternoon on one of our seed feeders. We seem to have two or three visit several times a day; I’ve no idea if they are the same birds all the time, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they have their own defined feeding territories.

I know a lot of people don’t like these birds, but I do. OK they’re not native but they are colourful, brash, noisy, intelligent and incredibly comic to watch. Their body isn’t a lot bigger than a blackbird, but they’ll stand their ground against a magpie, which is noticeably bigger. One bird will be respectful of a magpie but won’t give in to it easily. Two birds is more than a match for a single magpie. I’ve noticed this recently as our magpies have decided to try raiding the seed feeders, which they don’t find easy but they’re determined birds! Two parakeets on a feeder beats one magpie. One parakeet will give way, but not by a lot!

I also discovered recently that there is a big (like 2500 birds) parakeet roost at Wormwood Scrubs (the open ground and trees just north of HM’s hotel), which is only about 5 miles away as the parrot flies. I suspect our birds belong to this roost as we often see them and others flying in that direction around dusk.

amusements, links, natural history, science, sexuality

Links of the Week

This week’s collection of links to items you may have missed …

First off something scary. Just look at the size of this giant bug!

Not all critters are quite so scary … For instance, we know the crow family are highly intelligent, now Ravens have been shown to use ‘hand’ gestures to communicate.

But then who would have thought that there are cognitive benefits to chewing gum.

Now here’s a job that you never even dreamt existed, nor wanted … castrating sheep with teeth, which has been shown not to be a great idea!

Here is a list of ten of the most dangerous chemicals in the world. And to think I’ve worked with some of those, as well as a few which aren’t on that list!

Talking of dangerous, this one is really worrying … ‘End of virginity’ if women drive, Saudi cleric warns. WTF do these people think they are! Made me see red.

But then again the Egyptian authorities are clearly no better (and equally make me see red), prompting a young Egyptian woman to stand up for women’s rights and argue that modesty objectifies women. She reinforces this by appearing nude too. Two reports in a weblog here and this one from the Guardian. More power to her elbow. Let’s all hope for her safety.

Finally, for amusement, more on the vulva cupcakes. Maybe a new fashion statement?

food+drink, natural history, personal, pleasures

Reasons to be Grateful 3

OK the experiment is into week three: this week’s five things which have made me happy or for which I’m grateful:

    Harry the Cat

  1. Cats. Harry the Cat has been especially friendly this week, which is nice. He’s resting next to me on my desk as I write this, just as in the photo. He’s not so welcome though is when he throws up on the bed at 6am!
  2. Lamb & Kidney Pie. This has become one of Noreen’s specialities. Make it like Steak and Kidney only with lamb neck fillet instead of beef: cheaper and tastier.
  3. Parrots. Or rather Ring-Neck Parakeets, which seem to be spreading rapidly around London. We regularly have them in the garden — fun and colourful. And yesterday driving out of central London at dusk we saw several groups, one of 100 birds, flying off to Wormwood Scrubs where there is a nightly roost of 2500 birds.
  4. Vegetables in Cheese Sauce. A much loved favourite of my childhood when it was usually either runner beans or butter beans, we recently resurrected this as a quick, simple and cheap meal. Cook the veg (anything of your choice, root veg works well as do beans, cauliflower, fennel, potato, Jerusalem artichokes etc.) and serve with a good thick cheese sauce. Real comfort food.
  5. Wild Boar Sausages. Eaten yesterday with red cabbage at the Queen’s Head & Artichoke in Albany Street.

A foodie week, then. And off shortly to eat a pork version of Osso Buco (known here as Osso Piggo). Mmmmm …

amusements, arts, food+drink, links, medical, natural history, science

Links of the Week

Here’s your usual selection of things which interested/amused me and which you may have missed. And do we have a bumper selection this week!

First something useful? There’s a view that “use by” dates on food are a myth which needs busting. So it’s American but I don’t see much being different in the UK. But I do worry whether people have enough common sense to safely abolish “use by” dates.

And now to the very unuseful. Why does the search for the Higgs Boson matter? Actually to most people it doesn’t matter; whether physicists find it or not it won’t change the lives of 99.9999% of the population. That doesn’t necessarily mean we shouldn’t look for it, but in the overall scheme of broken banks and countries it actually doesn’t matter.

Sociable wasps have an eye for faces. But not for caterpillars. And you just thought they were animated automatons sent by the Devil to annoy you!

And talking of the works of the Devil, pyjamas are another … The joys and benefits of sleeping naked. And no, it isn’t colder!

Think you’re good at sudoku? You’ll need a good night’s sleep before you try this! He-he!

A few weeks back we told of these strange paper sculptures left in libraries. Well the phantom has returned, for the last time.

Not got enough to do in the run-up to Christmas? Need a craft project? Make storybook paper roses (above).

And finally … Do you need an udder tug? Well who doesn’t? — Certainly no self-respecting mutt!

amusements, food+drink, medical, natural history, personal, photography, science, sexuality

Reasons to be Grateful 2

OK so here’s week two of my experiment: this week’s things which have made me happy or for which I’m grateful:
Crab Apples

  1. Autumn Colours^ — there are still some gorgeous golden leaves around as well as bright red fruit on our ornamental crab apple, especially in …
  2. Sunshine* — which makes those autumn colours all the more vibrant
  3. Vagina Cupcakes — they’re a hoot!
  4. Beaujolais Nouveau* — I’ve now tasted three different ones and they’re all excellent
  5. Sleep — it’s so restorative to sleep well and undisturbed as I did last night
^ Click the image for a bigger version, and for other photos.
* No-one said I couldn’t choose the same things as last week!