We have gone from being decorated by blossom:

22nd April



...to a state of almost overwhelming greenness. The hedgerows are looking very dense this year, and are peppered here and there with cow parsley.



The foilage is so thick on the beeches above the bluebells now that spotting the birds that sing and whistle overhead is by no means easy - it's almost like being blindfold in an aviary



The green shine to everything is pretty to look at, but it does bring its problems. I'm in danger of losing foxes in the long grass!



Fortunately for the magpies, there are some more open patches.



This fox was doing what I can only describe as browsing - wandering erratically around the meadow, listening and sniffing, no doubt hoping to come across a rodent or two.







Some signs of the progression of the season are more domestic - the luckier local horses and ponies have now been fitted out with eye protection to keep the flies at bay I have to express some apprehension that the horseflies will seek me out as a food source instead



Foxes have an easy time of things in some respects. Many mammals and birds have to travel huge distances between summer and winter to find the best grazing or breeding grounds, but foxes manage to make do with the same small territory whatever the time of year. It's only a few weeks since I photographed winter's fox in the field adjacent to this one. The year is fast pressing on

Interlude from the history posts!

After more fox-less walks, I was happy to spy a splash of ginger in the greenery today, although I must say that this particular fox family chooses its sleeping spots with complete distain for my ease - they've taken to resting just behind the wire fence!



But, he is still a fine-looking fox, and seemed very relaxed in the evening sun.



It took me a moment to realise that he wasn't alone...x2! The third fox was so well hidden from my vantage point that it wasn't until I processed the photographs that I realised that I had actually seen three adults together. This shot shows the more reclusive members of the trio.


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Spring is still upon us with flowers blooming...



...and chiffchaffs calling, although they're never going to be fun to get in the camera frame! It was as much as I could do to get a tail view of this little creature



These tiny warblers have voices as piercing a tropical frog's, and call in a relentless Chiff chaff choff chiff chaff chiff chorus. They can be baffling often staying frustratingly well hidden while their "song" mysteriously echoes apparently originless about the hedgerows. Many spend the winters in northern Africa. It is so incredible that such a minute ball of feathers can travel so far

Almost as tiny is the treecreeper, and this one is actually on a tree this time



Chaffinches are far easier to find, but this one...



...was preoccupied with his mate!

A confused spring, however. They say that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. Well, the wind is roaring, and the clouds are turning interesting dark colours



If I were a cat, I'd probably be hiding under the bed and waiting for better fox-watching weather



But even as things are, there are wild creatures to be found. I haven't seen the redpoll again, but chaffinches are quite noticeable.



A beautiful trilling song led me to a couple of siskins, again posing most awkwardly Oh well, I suppose a "record pic" is better than none



There are also signs of spring in the flora!







The amount of squirrel activity in the garden has shot upwards in the last few days. They are feeding well, and will doubtless bring their kits here later in the year.