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Swan lake – with mist

A great set of misty views. The last one being a particularly absorbing mix of subtle colours and reflection. Good work by Lady Fi 🙂 Please apply any comments and likes to the original post via view original at the end:-)

Lady Fi

A chilly morning dawned

Bringing out the colours of the leaves

And the swans.

They appeared out of the mist

Like feathered ships.

The sun bursting through the trees

Placed stripes of light on the swan’s neck.

Closer and closer the swan sailed

Beautiful in the lilac dawn.

For more swan songs, please go to: Our World.

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Posted by Graham in Hats | October 23, 2015 | Categories: Animals, Photography, Wildlife | Tags: color, colour, lake, misty, swan | 2 Comments

Falconry

This is what being a falcon is all about. Being a Peregrine Falcon, as flown by monarchs. More of her further down. First a cute Barn Owl. Click on an image twice for a closer view.

Barn Owl

“I feel pretty, Oh, so pretty, I feel pretty and witty and bright! And I pity, any girl who isn’t me tonight” .

“Alright, who said Kentucky Fried Owl”.

Harris Hawk

“Really, do I look pretty”. “I do like a little owl though”.

“But not dogs. We screech at dogs”.

“Except really little ones, yum“.

Harris Hawks (really buzzards) hunt in groups and share their food. As a result they work well with falconers, who they regard as part of their hunting group.

“To be a good falcon, one has to be determined”.

“Fearlessly overtake vehicles”.

“Look like one means business”.

“And strut about as if one owns the place”.

These are beautiful and very impressive birds, but I don’t think I’d like one in my kitchen. 🙂

Peregrine Falcon

“Now, I really am cute”.

“Or perhaps not”.

“Lets get to the main event, and take a gander at those legs”.

“Anybody who thinks that I look like Gonzo the Great, does so at their own risk. Especially that dozy looking photographer over there”.

Peregrine Falcons fly on the level at up to 60 mph and dive at more than 200 mph. These are the jet fighters of the falconry world and come with a regal attitude. Too fast to land safely on a gloved hand, so they chase a lure swung at the end of a long tether. Too fast for me to get a good photograph, but I did at least get her in the frame a couple of times.

“I got it and its mine see”.

Once a Peregrine has caught the lure they are allowed to finish the morsel. Otherwise they feel cheated and will not chase the lure again.

“Toodle pip. Do come again, we’ll have some tea”.

I hope that you enjoyed seeing these amazing birds. The pictures were taken during King Harold’s Day at Waltham Abbey. The display was provided by Coda Falconry where you can spend more time with the birds for a fee. There is another Harris Hawk in flight and diving at Leeds Castle.

There was also Loki the cheeky rescued raven, He gets a post of his own here.

Posted by Graham in Hats | October 20, 2015 | Categories: Photography, Wildlife | Tags: barn owl, birds, Coda, falconry display, falcons, fauna, harris hawk, hawks, king harolds day, peregrine falcon, waltham abbey | 6 Comments

Waltham Abbey and King Harold’s Day

The Church

Waltham Abbey and !!

There has been a church on this site since 610 AD. Rebuilt on a grander scale by Harold Godwinson (Earl of Essex and East Anglia) and consecrated in 1060 AD. The church has a long history that can be found here.

Harold Godwinson later became King Harold II in 1066. During that year Harold was forced to march north to Stamford Bridge and fend of a viking invasion. Two weeks later he was in Hastings trying to repel the Norman invasion. The Normans prevailed over the Anglo-Saxons and England/Britain was changed forever. This was the last successful invasion of the British Isles.

King Harold’s Day

“Hit me with your rhythm stick”. Morris dancing didn’t appear until 1448 but I’m not going to say anyting.

“I don’t know why they do it. They’d be better of with a hammer, like me and Thor”.

She was very good and produced some appealing airs.

The value of life was accounted very differently then. A slaves life being worth less than a toe of any other person.

On the other hand they had some sophisticated shoe marketing techniques.

What did the Normans ever do for us ?

“Falcons, who said falcons, I’ll give them food poisoning”. The falconry display includes a Peregrine Falcon and is here 🙂

Posted by Graham in Hats | October 18, 2015 | Categories: History, North London, Photography, Places to Photograph Near London, Places to Visit, Travel, uk | Tags: abbey, anglo-saxon, king harolds day, morris dancing, Stained Glass, waltham abbey church | 10 Comments

Flower Festival at Leeds Castle

During the Flower Festival the castle was festooned, here are just a few. And there is more to see at Leeds Castle Interiors and Leeds Castle Grounds. 🙂

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Posted by Graham in Hats | October 16, 2015 | Categories: East London, Flora, Flowers, Photography, Travel, uk | Tags: Flower Festival, flowers, leeds castle, orchids | 5 Comments

Advertising in the Age of Innocence ?

Most of these are from the 1920’s. A few are earlier. They all come from the Bekonscot Model Village⇐. You might notice that some of the claims are blatantly exaggerated, but I think I prefer that to the present day subtleties of spin. More here ⇐.
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The tonic wine might be more welcome.

I included this because I find it inspiring that so many such projects, both religious and secular, have stood the test of time. They often work quietly in the background and have made a profound difference to the lives of vulnerable people over the decades.

🙂

Posted by Graham in Hats | October 11, 2015 | Categories: Art, North London, Photography, Places to Photograph Near London, uk | Tags: 1920's, Advertising, bekonscot, Church Army, Ford, Guiness, His Masters Voice, model village, Raleigh, Rolls Royce, Wincarnis | 10 Comments

Leeds Castle Interiors

A castle has been on this site, in Kent, since 1119 and has been used by a number of royalty including Edward I and Henry VIII. The castle was purchased by Lady Baillie in 1926 and was used for a number of worthy purposes including a hospital for airmen during WWII.

In 1974 it was left to the Leeds Castle Foundation to be preserved for the benefit of the public. The history (Wiki) is here, castle/events website here, grounds/moat/lake/gardens here, falconry display here and the flower festival is here.

The name “Leeds” seems to have the original meaning of loud or rushing water. Hence there is a Leeds village nearby and another Leeds in the north of England.

This fellow is carrying a pole axe which was used to penetrate armour, quite often the opponent’s helmet. Hence the expression, being pole-axed.

I’m sure you could play a board game on that.

Henry VIII and it looks like he left his tankard behind.

I’m not sure whether this is a charming guardian or a psychopath in a skirt. I suppose the defining question is; would I want him at the top of my stairs on dark night ?

And, Richard II. We all know what happened to him.

Thanks for the visit and ~

Posted by Graham in Hats | October 6, 2015 | Categories: Art, East London, History, Photography, Places to Photograph Near London, Places to Visit, Travel, uk | Tags: Castle, Henry VIII, Lady Baillie, leeds castle, ornate decor | 8 Comments

Leeds Castle Grounds

20 pics. Leeds Castle in Kent that is. The long lake beside the castle and the path that passes the formal gardens and leads to the playground, maze, falconry display and a cheeky Jackdaw. Castle interiors here. See the castle website and tickets are valid for a year of repeat visits, yay. In the meantime enjoy ~.

This is “Elsie” the land train from ticket office to the castle entrance (50 pence each). The walk is about 10-15 minutes and passes through some pleasant gardens.

Approaching the castle.

The time of my visit coincided with a flower festival. More of that in another post.

There is a cafe and restaurant and a small dog-collar museum.

Past the cafe and restaurant are the gardens.

And, the tiered gardens beside the long lake and a view of the playground fort.

“This year I will be mostly wearing my nose in the air”. | “She will too, she’s such a boy. I’ve got a long skirt you know”

There is a maze (keep turning left) with a turret at the center. Beneath the turret is a grotto complete with sounds of the sea, a doom laden voice reciting doom laden poetry and a tunnel to the way out. 🙂

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“And what are you laughing at. Just because I’ve got a comical looking face. I’ll have you know that I’m part of the entertainment”. “They don’t give these umbrellas to just anybody”.

“From me, Jack Daw, and all the other birdies, we hope you enjoyed your visit and do come again”. 🙂

Posted by Graham in Hats | October 2, 2015 | Categories: East London, Flora, Flowers, Photography, Places to Photograph Near London, Places to Visit, Travel, uk | Tags: Gardens, grotto, lake, leeds castle, leeds castle gardens, maze, peahen | 13 Comments

Bonsai Trees at Wisley Gardens

If you think I’m daft enough to climb all the way up there to get photographs of little trees at Wisley Gardens ? Oh you do. Oh well, fair enough then. 🙂

There is a whole avenue of them, this is jut a few. There ages are mainly 40-60 years, with one exception.

Acer Palmatum – Japanese Maple Bonsai

It is amazing to see the whole detail of tree and leaf encapsulated in one small growth.

Ulmus Parvifolia – Chinese Elm Bonsai

Juniperus Chinensis – Chinese Juniper Bonsai

Juniperus Rigida Bonsai – Temple Juniper 150 yrs

This one is 150 years old. It was around before the first telephone was installed, successfully cared for all that time and has never received a telephone bill. 🙂

Posted by Graham in Hats | September 29, 2015 | Categories: Flora, Photography, Places to Visit, uk, West London | Tags: bonsai, bonsai trees, garden, photography, very old bonsai, wisley, wisley rockery | 6 Comments

Falconry at Leeds Castle

17 pics. A Harris Hawk waits pensively for the launch signal. That beak means business. You can click twice for a better view.

“Ain’t I awesome”.

The trainer sends a morsel into the air using an elastic catapult. A little to the right of the hawk is a distant seagull and just below is the morsel. The hawk now has folded wings for the dive.

And the flyby with trophy.

“Nothing to see here, move along now. Ahh, with fava beans and a nice bottle of Chianti”.

A victory lap.

“I’m firm but fair and you will applaud”. And they did.

The owl, the trainer said, had a short attention span and was easily distracted. He also said they were “thick”.

“He said what”.

“Right, I’ll have your scraggles off”.

“I am, in fact, wise and dignified and I’ll murgle anyone who says otherwise”.

Meanwhile, several gulls were scriking and showing off by making feint dives at the hawks. But, they carefully kept their distance. The hawks disdained any interest. After all, one does not converse with one’s food.

This little miss is a North American Kestrel weighing in at a mere 4 ounces. She was so fast on the wing, that the only photographs I have, are where she used to be. Even the gulls were bemused and kept their distance.

Falcons, we are informed, will only fly free and return if they are happy with their conditions. They also live twice as long as in the wild. So, everybody’s happy. Yay . 🙂

There are more falcons including an amazing peregrine here.

Tweet and thanks for the visit.

Posted by Graham in Hats | September 25, 2015 | Categories: Animals, East London, Photography, Places to Photograph Near London, Places to Visit, Travel, uk, Wildlife | Tags: birds, Castle, falconry, harris hawk, hawk, kestrel, owl | 20 Comments

Brighten the Day 1

10 pics. I’ve put aside some florality to brighten the winter days. Collages will include flowers, orchids, bonsai trees, statues, an occasional odd duck and perhaps something photo-shopped. Mostly from the Wisley flower show. This is the first, I hope that it brightens your day. 🙂 Click on twice to expand an image.