Sunday 24 January 2010

Sunday safari

During the last few weeks Blue Boy has become very much a part of my gardening life. Whilst tending plants or digging he would never be too far away. Always there to greet me. Last week I became a little concerned about him.....he would sit quietly and fluff himself up, not really interested in anything.
Towards the end of the week he was looking very poorly. My heart wanted to help him but I knew there was nothing I could do. Sadly I have not seen him for two days. I think it is a wonderful thing, when a wild creature, allows you to be part of their day. I never encouraged Blue Boy and yet he seemed happy in my company. I shall really miss the little chap.......

The copse shows signs of spring......our native lords and ladies is just beginning to show itself.......I love this plant and it loves the garden. The damp soil and shade of the small wood suit it so very well. The beautiful red/orange berries in the autumn are a gardener's delight.


Native Elder are budding up very nicely. The first to show her leaves, she is so welcome here. I love the spring flowers and their heady fragrance. Berries in autumn are a joy....Poppi and I always delight in the taking. This autumn she will go to school....life changes.
In the warmth of the copse daffs are budding up and I think I may have a late February show.
Alpines are surviving....they do not like the wet weather. I am surprised they have done so well.
Moss does well here and spreads around the garden with gay abandon. I do love it........especially on logs that frequent the woodland floor. Perfect.
Another love of mine, lichen. So fascinating.

I love the contrasting colours.......and the fact that they only live where there is clean air. Nature is wonderful, don't you think?

Happy Sunday safari.......



28 comments:

LG said...

I really enjoy reading your blog. So sorry to hear about Boy Blue, perhaps he'll show up?

Have a great week in the garden

Cheryl said...

Hi LG.....I would like to think that he would but somehow I doubt it.

Thank you.....enjoy your garden..

Dan said...

Bittersweet post. I hope Blue Boy surprises you, but if not, he has let you share him for a little while.

I love the picture of the lichen - how did you pick it out from the rest of the branch?

Enjoy the new signs of life in your garden!

Best wishes

Dan
-x-

Liz said...

Hi Cheryl,

So sorry to hear that Boy Blue hasn't been seen for two days... I do hope he's found himself a partner and it off busy with her ready for the Spring.

It's great to see so much happening, the buds and starts of a new growing season is always so exciting :)

Cheryl said...

Hi Dan.....it would be a lovely surprise but he did look very unwell. The weather has been awful to. I suppose I am silly getting so attached to wildlife but I guess it is just the way I am.

Now you are asking something....me and camera's....I just followed Liz's guide in my comment section on the last Sunday safari. She has been a great help....do check it out......

Cheryl said...

Hi Liz....it is lovely to walk the garden and see signs of spring. It gives you a lift, doesn't it?
The first spring bloom is always the most exciting.......

FAB said...

Hi Cheryl. Let's hope Boy Blue hasn't gone far. Love the feeder but does it keep the seed dry?
Great to see the first signs of new growth and the promise they will bring. We have plenty of moss in the tiny lawn and on the paths but no lichen so presume the air is not clean enough!

Cheryl said...

Oh I do envy you the early spring arrival. It won't even begin to arrive here until late April. I shall have to enjoy your lovely photos!

Q said...

So much is sprouting! Wow!
I love seeing how the seasons change in your gardens.
Life is always changing too. Poppi is growing up. Perhaps, since we are gardeners, we accept change as part of our story, a little bit easier. Perhaps we understand life a wee bit better, knowing how all of life depends on each other. Blue Boy is your friend. He honoured you and you him.
I am so happy you have photographs of him and you have shared his story with your grandchildren.
Life is a circle.
Thank you for another delightful Sunday Safari.
I am dreaming of daffodiles!
Namaste,
Sherry

Liz said...

Hi Cheryl,

Definitely, I love Spring... That feeling of life all around you. The days lengthening, birds pairing up, singing, building nests, Bees awakening and buzzing around. Such an amazing time of year, even the temperatures have risen considerably compared to a couple of weeks ago, amazing the difference it can make to your mood :)

Rose said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Blue Boy, Cheryl. Perhaps he'll come back, but then again this is the nature of wildlife not to get too close to us. Let's hope he is safe and has found a new home.

It's wonderful to see the signs of life in your garden. It will be at least six weeks or so before we see any kind of buds, I think. We're in for some snow again this week, but I'll be happy with that if the sun also shines! Enjoy your week in the garden.

Wendy said...

I am amazed at how "in tune" you are with Boy Blue - birds here don't seem to stay around for long. I do hope he's o.k. I also was thinking that maybe he'd found a mate and was setting up housekeeping.

It is so nice to see signs of spring popping up all over your garden! I love to watch the buds and greenery arrive.

Time certainly does fly. Little Poppi going off to school. She seems so small still. Jasmine turned 3 today. Can't believe it! Her mother registered her for a nursery programme (3 half days a week) for this fall. As you say, changes are in the air.

Amy said...

Cheryl, What a sweet little bird - hopefully he survived. The promise of Spring unfolds in your photos - so nice.

Have a great week!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Nature is the best. Your garden appears to be awakening Cheryl. It is always so exciting to see the buds beginning to appear. Poppi goint to school?? Time does fly...

Miranda Bell said...

Hi Cheryl - really sorry to hear of the disappearance of your little friend... maybe he'll surprise you and appear again? I was out in the garden nearly all of yesterday and lots of things as you show in your photos starting to emerge which is just wonderful... so many birds were feeding yesterday too - many more than the previous days - do they know something we don't - is it going to get a whole lot colder again? Wait and see I guess.. have a good week Miranda x

NCmountainwoman said...

Beautiful post. Yes, Nature is wonderful...the passage of time, the passing of life...and constant renewal.

Roses and Lilacs said...

I'm really sorry to hear about your little friend.

How amazing to see signs of spring in the garden in Feb. I envy you.
Marnie

ShySongbird said...

Poor Blue Boy, so sad....I know it sounds pathetic but that is one reason I don't put up nest boxes, I have many birds nest in my garden but if they used a box I had put up and something went wrong, I would feel it too much...

Beautiful photos again Cheryl and so lovely to see all the signs of new growth, so much to look forward to :)

Cheryl said...

Hi EarlyBirder.....I must confess I am not keen on the feeder...it was a gift. It does have drainage holes in the bottom and does keep the seed dry. I tend not to put it out when it is pouring with rain, I use a closed feeder then.
I take my feeders down every evening and tip the unused seed away.....they are cleaned regularly with a 'bactericidal disinfectant' for wildlife stations.

I hope the little bird did not have some sort of virus.....i have a huge colony of Blue Tits and would hate to see a virus spread amongst them.....

Cheryl said...

Dear Sherry.....I am sure you are right...gardeners are in touch with the ever changing seasons, giving them a much more accepting heart to the ever changing seasons of life......

In the garden today I was very aware Blue Boy was not around.....I do believe he said goodbye. I shall miss our walks together......such a cheeky little bird. An experience I will never forget.....

Cheryl said...

Dear Rose....you are, of course, absolutely right.....it is the way of things. I just did not like seeing him look so unwell....knowing I could not help.

Our days are dull and drear.....the occasional break in the cloud allows the sun to say hello and then it disappears again.

I do hope the sun shines Rose and you can soak up the winter rays.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Wendy....where does time go. Poppi was two when I started blogging ...showing her in the fairy garden. Five in September....she seems so little.....and she lives in the world of daydreams.

Jasmine three? Oh my gosh.....that has gone so quickly. Isn't it lovely to watch them grow .....

Cheryl said...

How strange Miranda there has been a bit of a frenzy around the feeders today and I thought the same thing. It is very cold here today....also grey and damp...the combination is horrible. I am wearing a two jumpers....and a scarf indoors!! These old houses can be a touch chilly....great fun though....
Have a good week, so glad you managed to enjoy your gardens yesterday.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Jan...it does not sound pathetic.....you are one of life's sensitives and that is to be celebrated. If only others cared as much.
I understand.....the squirrel takes eggs from the nest boxes sometimes. I have started cutting back holly, which I shall attach to the tree near the bird boxes....that should put him off.

I was so upset when I saw Blue Boy......I am also one of life's sensitives......

Dig, Grow, Compost, Blog said...

Just discovered your blog and I think it's lovely! So sad about Blue Boy. Those kind of things really do hurt, don't they?

Betty Jo said...

Hi Dear, I'm so looking forward to spring this year. Your garden says it's very near. Your photos are wonderful. ♥

Gail said...

Sighing over the beauty and mystery of life~gail

Naturegirl said...

Cheryl! Plants sprouting already!!
Oh my word how exciting!!
Poor little blue boy..I sure hope that you see him again..maybe??
I have no doubt that you'll enjoy this week in your sprouting garden!!