There was a misty start to Saturday morning along the Ock Valley Walk.
In April, leaves have sprung, and there is a carpet of stinging nettles. They look fresh and not too tall.
There are also the vase-like flowers of Lords and Ladies. Insects are attracted by their smell and trapped by hairs in the tube to allow pollination.
Muntjac deer are sometimes seen in the woodland areas between the two rivers, but they can also be seen in gardens beyond the river, some of which have fences to keep them out from the vegetables and seedlings.
The heron was also there and seemed to stroke the water with one foot as he watched.
There are large numbers of blackbirds. The leaves of horse chestnut trees have sprouted and unfolded, and look so fresh and green. The upright flower buds will soon become blossoms.
At first, I could not see the Song Thrush, but its song was so clear that I looked and saw him high near the top of the leaf canopy. I frequently see thrushes in the Abbey Meadows on the ground, but this was the first I had seen on the Ock Valley Walk this year.
I also saw a blackcap for the first time.
Further on, in the fields near Tesco, a tractor was ploughing the ground on the other side of the River Ock. Half a dozen Kites followed and swooped down for creatures disturbed by the plough.
Wonderfully evocative pictured…. thanks!
Sorry to go off subject. Why wasn’t the cross of St. George flown from county hall today (23rd April). If the Ukrainian flag and rainbow flag can be flown, why not the flag of England?
Why is this an issue?
Why all the fuss over flying a religious symbol (St George flag)? The Western countries have become highly secular and most don’t care and do not feel that the imposition of religious iconography on their lives is appropriate
St Patrick’s day and St David’s day are celebrated. TV presenters wear the shamrock and the daffodil. We are told that the English cannot be patriotic. We want to celebrate St George’s day the patrol saint of England but are discouraged from doing so. It is a disgrace.
Yes. I’m of the mind that if St Patrick and St David are celebrated, people should also be free to celebrate St George’s as well, and the flag flown. St Patrick’s day has issues – particularly around alcohol and stereotyping of Irish people, (and spreading of Christianity and resulting reduction of Paganism and local tribes.) Though as the day brings a pile of cash into pubs people don’t seem to complain too much about those things.
I think old flags always have baggage, it certainly doesn’t help that the English flag has been “stolen” by unpleasant groups of people… It’s nice that it’s returned to celebrate football tournaments. It should be reclaimed by reasonable people. If I were in charge of the flagpole I’d certainly be fair and fly St George on St George’s day, if I also flew the flags for the other patron saints of the UK, other countries, and in support of groups of people too. If I had complaints regarding the flag I would explain that St George is still the patron saint of England, it’s a traditionally marked English “feast day” and as the other flags are flown it should also be flown. Surely… My tuppence worth!
Lovely photos of wild birds by the way – nice to see that some Blackcaps are back in town. The female has a red/orange crest doesn’t she?
Being a total saddo, I looked up the Town Council “Flag Policy” https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Abingdon-Town-Council-flag-policy-adopted-24.2.21-1.pdf
This says that under government regulations they have to fly the Union Flag on 23 April, but other than that, the St George’s Flag should be “Hoisted from the Friday before St George’s Day (23rd April), to cover the Sunday of the Scouts’ parade, and is flown for one week following St George’s Day.”
I am sure someone can go and have a look and report back!
saints are an invention of the catholic church, we are not a catholic country so it wouldnt make sense to celebrate the day officially.
Thank you for brightening my morning, Alastair, with your magnificent pictures, particularly of the red kites following the plough
I dont think anyone is stopping anything here – most people just aren’t that bothered I suspect
…and yes excellent photos as always
Always a fan of Herons…Thank you for the lovely pictures and that sense of peace you capture so very well indeed.
Thank you Kris, well put.