fountain | Freed From Time

St James’s Park

The Eastern End of St James’s Park

Hiya, welcome to St James’s Park. At this end of the long lake can be found a cafe, parkland, benches, deck chairs, flower beds, geese, ducks, coots and moorhens here. There are also some very friendly squirrels here and pelicans further down this page (feeding time at the cottage is 2:30 pm).

At the western end can be found Buckingham Place, the changing of the guard pageant, more waterfowl including swans and nearby Green Park with the Canada Memorial.

The nearest underground station is St James (although Westminster is almost as close to the eastern end of the park) and it is a pleasant walk beside the lake from end to end.

The pelicans gather beside this cottage just before 2:30 pm for feeding.

“Perhaps a little pigeon al fresco whilst I am waiting”. – “Oy who nicked my piano ?”

The London Eye.

Buckingham Palace from the Central Bridge

Looking to the west.

If you look carefully, you can see the Old Man of the Willow, sitting down with his hands on his knees.

Horse Guards from the Central Bridge

Looking to the east.

You cannot view the interiors but there is a small museum and one of these.

.. and as always, one of these. Doesn’t it make you want to say “you poor ~ “.

At dusk the fountains light up and from the sound of all the honks and quacks there all having a party 😀 .

April 17, 2015 | Categories: Central London, Photography, places to photograph in london, Places to Visit, Travel, uk, Wildlife | Tags: Buckingham Palace, fountain, Horse Guards, lakes, London eye, pelicans, photography, St James's Park | 4 Comments

Holland Park and Kyoto Gardens

23 Pics – Holland park is considered one of the most interesting parks and places to photograph in London with many features and a range of flora and fauna. The north of the park is mostly woodland whilst the south has more formal gardens, an ecology centre, large play area and cafe. There are lawn areas throughout the park to relax on.

Please click on any picture to enlarge. Getting There⇒ History⇒

Holland Park

Peacocks can just about fly but usually have their wings clipped. There is another one later

Some of the flora near the southern end,

This is just south of the Belvedere restaurant, which can be seen in the background.

Just north of the Belvedere is this water feature within a courtyard.

.. and in the same courtyard.

Continuing along the path.

Whereas, taking the first right after the building there is an arts and craft shop and a little further on the Holland Park Cafe with both indoor and outdoor seating.

A few steps further north are the formal gardens, featuring the Dutch Garden.

The Dutch Gardens

These fellows look like hungry chicks.

Here’s the rest of the family.

A few steps further north, on the east to west path.

There is some controversy as to why peacocks have such extravagant plumage. I discovered what must be the real reason by accident. Some years ago a few friends and I where enjoying a picnic in one of the royal parks. Opposite under a tree was a mature peacock quietly enjoying a peaceful afternoon in the shade. Between us a group ducks and geese began to gather. About thirty of them.

The peacock was not perturbed until the group of wildfowl grew closer to his quiet domain and began to squabble. Up came the peacock’s plume and he began to shake the quills creating a deafening racket. With the spread of eyes and a sound like many snakes rattling and hissing it was a stunning apparition. The ducks and geese thought so too. They all began running towards us trying to get aloft. We had to duck down (no pun intended) to avoid getting struck. It seems they were so scared of the apparition that they were quite oblivious to our presence.

I’m sure that the plumage does have a mating advantage. Not because it’s pretty but because scares off predators.

A little further on ..