priory country park

August 23, 2022

^{[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 18 August 2022].}

In 2018, on a drizzly November day, I met my friend, Khanisa, for a walk and a late pub lunch in Bedford.

untitled #60 [priory country park, bedford, bedfordshire, england, 2018]

We wandered along the River Great Ouse out to Priory Country Park and back, despite the rain.

untitled #62 [priory country park, bedford, bedfordshire, england, 2018]

I didn't manage to get out and about as much as I'd have liked while cat-sitting in Cotton End last week, though I did attempt something of a photo walk one day.

untitled #57 [priory country park, bedford, bedfordshire, england, 2018]

And I did catch up with Khanisa for an afternoon for a long overdue face-to-face chat.

So, I thought I'd edit and share some photos from our walk that day in 2018.

untitled #58 [priory country park, bedford, bedfordshire, england, 2018]

untitled #781 [the stumpery, golders hill park, golders green, london, england, united kingdom, 2020]

love letters to london: the wild life

March 7, 2021

^{[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 28 February 2021].}

So, here's my first proper love letter to London!

Firstly, I need to clarify that the aspects I'll highlight in these love letters are not necessarily exclusive to London or even to the UK.

I recognise the global nature of so much in our world means very little of what we enjoy about a place is native to that place or is exclusive in any way.

This series will highlight things I've either discovered in London, appreciated most from my time here, or that I feel London does well.

For example, I know Australia does wildlife like no other continent. It might not have the most extensive collection of native animals (or maybe it does. I haven't checked the stats on that!) But it has some of the most distinctive and recognisable ones.

But there are critters here you don't see roaming in the wild in Australia. And so, for me, London is the place I've had the opportunity to discover these fellas and observe them in their day-to-day activities. Many, literally, in my own backyard.

untitled #69 [new barnet, london, england, united kingdom, 2018]

Despite living in a built-up suburban area of north London, I get to see eastern grey squirrels chasing each other in my backyard almost every day.

I get to see red foxes lurking about under the sensor light in the wee hours, leaving their tracks in the snow.

I get to check out tits perched on the branches outside my bedroom. Great tits, even.

I hear the hopeless karaoke of Eurasian magpies (beautiful birds but they cannae hold a tune!) and the lovely song of the blackbird, right from my cosy bed.

untitled #422 [city of london cemetery and crematorium, manor park, london, england, united kingdom, 2011]

I'm not going to lie: this could have been devoted to squirrels. And I'm not discounting the possibility that I will, at some point, share a post that is purely squirrel, squirrel, squirrel.

I mean, they love nuts, toast and hanging around in cemeteries. We haven't discussed their opinion of cheese and cider. But I feel sure we see eye-to-eye on most things, aside from spending time at great heights and climbing trees.

I know the eastern grey is seen as an invasive species and has driven out a large proportion of the native red squirrel population. But they are super-cute little guys.

However, I thought I should also highlight some other critters I find engaging.

Unfortunately, I see foxes a lot but never manage to capture them well for various reasons. Many times because I'm indoors looking out from my bedroom or kitchen, other times because it's twilight or night-time and I'm only equipped with the camera on my phone. A neighbour of mine takes beautiful photos of them. Apparently, they hang out in his allotment, so I want to find out if I can drop in some time to meet them.

untitled #45 [regent’s canal, camden town, london, england, united kingdom, 2018]

It feels like mute swans are everywhere in central London parks and canals. I'm not sure that's true, but I see them a lot, and they are one of the more difficult birds to capture well in photographs. Their bright white feathers often end up blown out in photos, especially where they're submerged and surrounded by dark, murky water.

untitled #92 [regent’s canal, the regent’s park, london, england, united kingdom, 2018]

They definitely seem less daunted by humans than other birds may be, though, not necessarily 'tame'. Likely because "they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and killing or even injuring one carries a £5,000 fine or six months in jail. Stealing a swan egg is considered an equal offence and carries the same maximum penalty".

Apparently, the 'punishable by death' law was never repealed either. Not that I have any intention to do these graceful fellows any harm, let alone consume them. But worth knowing.

untitled #123 [the regent’s park, london, england, united kingdom, 2018]

An introduced species like myself, the Canada Goose seems to be as common as muck around London.

he don’t give a coot [the regent’s park, london, england, united kingdom, 2018]

They are rather pleasing to look at, and they don't give a coot about other birds.

untitled #5 [regent’s canal, camden town, london, england, 2018]

Speaking of coots, apparently, they're also commonly found in Australia, but I only noticed these masked birdies once I moved to London.

untitled #126 [the regent’s park, london, england, united kingdom, 2018]

Back to some native birdlife, the grey heron is pretty eye-catching. Its yellow eyes, especially.

lifeguard [the regent’s park, london, england, united kingdom, 2018]

They also appear to be self-appointed lifeguards. Keeping an eye on the safety of other birds and animals on lakes in London's parks.

This post only just scratches the surface of the animalia that has caught my eye here in London. I'm regularly discovering birds, animals and insects that are new to me. Whether out and about in parks around London or just in my own yard. And photographing them where I can, of course!