sparrows and finches

I don't know why I worried that the birdfeeder would go undiscovered. The birds found it three days after I put it out. How did they know? Lots of house sparrows and a few greenfinches. And spotted doves - that I've never seen before - eat the seed that falls on the ground. I've enjoyed watching them and have now moved the feeder closer to the house.
If you're interested in feeding birds in your garden (in NZ) there's good advice here.

Have a good week.

Listening: Are we there by Sharon Van Etten

waiorea

Another outing to Western Springs with my little friend last week. The park is almost overrun with birds - seagulls, pukeko, swans, geese, ducks, coots, pigeons, hens. There few still a few fluffy ducklings and cygnets around. And, best of all, if you linger on one of the bridges and peer into the dark water you're bound to see a slippery fat eel or two.

Reading: The non-conformists by Martin Parr and Susie Parr
This is a really interesting book of photos taken by Martin in 1975 while he and Susie were living in a small mill town in Yorkshire, England. It's a sort of documentary about a traditional way of life in a rural community that was already in decline. Susie wrote the text that describes the people and their day-to-day lives. I especially liked her description of the Lydgate mineral water works that made cordials and "fizzy drinks".

a walk in the park

Thursdays with my granddaughter are getting more adventurous. We went to a local park today to see the birds - ducks, geese, black swans, gulls, pukeko - that hang about there in large numbers. We were lucky to see ducklings and fluffy grey signets. It must be spring.

How's the weather in your neck of the woods?

Reading: Butler's ringlet - a novel by New Zealand writer Laurence Fearnley

and repeat

 

Another good weekend away in Northland again but this time in a hired campervan.

- red-billed gull
- from the lookout at Matauri Bay
- agapanthus, Te Ngaere 
- ice plant succulent growing on the dunes at Te Ngaere

Reading A slow passion: snails, my garden and me by Ruth Brooks

Photo a day for a week: Day 1

A photo a day for a week may not seem like much of a challenge. But, for me, I think it will be!
Here's Mr Mingus sitting in the window - probably he's going to look for birds.