Friday 31 October 2008

Halloween!

So who's ready for trick or treating?



For the record, I never used to think for a second that I'd be one of those people who dress their pet up in costume. Oh, well.

Thursday 30 October 2008

Pebble beach

Because I have to restrict Zebedee's exercise to "normal" walking and a little running (no playing with other dogs, no chasing bunnies nor squirrels), I decided to go for a walk by the sea this morning. Click on the image to see a bigger version.



I may have to use this place for walks for the next four weeks. Not that I'm complaining!

In the evening we went back to the beach.






It was low tide, and Zebedee was excited about the sandy beach. (The sand part is only exposed during low tide - other times we only have pebble beaches in this part of the English south coast.)










Wednesday 29 October 2008

Jay

My bird theme continues. When I stepped onto the street this morning, I saw a jay on the other side of it. It was a very cold morning, almost freezing, and it took me a while to get the long lens on my camera -- by which time the jay had moved further up the street... But I followed. And Zebedee tagged along. (Well, he had no choice.) The jay flew from one tree/bush to another, never staying in one place for more than a second. I followed its every move with my huge lens. I got some strange looks from passers by - they probably thought I was a mad stalker taking photos of someone in their bedroom. I finally got a shot of the jay, but not a great one. But as it is my first time to see a jay in England, I'm posting it.



I've decided I'm going to have to find a place to hang a bird feeder in my garden.

Tuesday 28 October 2008

Pigeon is also a bird

I seem to be chasing after birds nowadays. I went to Castle Hill this morning again to check out who's there, but all I saw was pigeons.



In the afternoon in Piddinghoe I snapped a photo of this gorgeous little bird. Someone in Flickr British Bird and Wildlife group identified it for me: a female stonechat.



And no post should go without a photo of Zebedee.

Monday 27 October 2008

Robin

After the wet and windy Sunday, today started with a glorious sunshine. I took my long lens with me to Castle Hill in case we came across a kestrel, but I had to make do with a robin and a chaffinch. Never mind - they are beautiful, too.




Sunday 26 October 2008

St Ann's Well Gardens

Today was a perfect day for watching films in bed: wet and windy outside, warm and comfy in. Still, the dog must be walked, so we took him to St Ann's Well Gardens for a play and a squirrel chase both in the morning and in the evening. And I snapped a few photos with the pocket camera while we were there.





















Tired but happy.

Thursday 23 October 2008

Wood is good

Last night we went to a fabulous Polar Bear gig in the Komedia. It wasn't till this morning, when I lifted my clothes off this chair's back rest, that I found out what Zebedee had been up to while we were out.



When I took this picture and was laughing with Miles at the puppy's skilful removal of part of the chair leg without making the chair break and fall, Zebedee came over, wagging his tail realising that he must have done something really clever and funny as we were laughing, and proceeded to nibble the chair leg some more, as if to say "Look, here's how I did it!".

Wednesday 22 October 2008

Bird watching dog walk

Saw quite a few lapwings on our morning walk to Piddinghoe today.






All of a sudden there were lots of lapwings. Don't know whether they are playing or what, flying like that. Some sideways, one upside down!



Then there was a cormorant trying to get a struggling and wiggling eel into her mouth.



She was soon accompanied by her spouse.



For moral support, maybe.



Click to see the strange green eyes these cormorants have.



A little egret, hiding behind a yellow flower plant...



As usual, I couldn't get nearer to the egret as Zebedee scared it away. So I thought I'd shoot something that doesn't move so fast...



But I didn't give up. I turned back and walked for a bit, and there he was by the river.



The light was lovely in the evening at Castle Hill.




Sunday 19 October 2008

Red Earth at Chattri

This lovely day started with a walk at Devil's Dyke.









Afternoon, one wistful doggie looking on while we had our lunch...



After lunch we happened to walk past a church that advertised on the street: "Come and have a look at a beautiful Grade I listed building". So we did.



Clearly a place to go back to with a tripod!



At 5 PM we were on our way back to The Chattri Memorial...



... and arrived a few minutes later to see what Red Earth were going to do there today. First, some random people (it seemed) laid handmade candle holders around the poppy wreaths.



Apparently Red Earth were "activating the chattri", or something.... ;-)
(Two men are blowing into seashells in this photo.)



We were all to take part, not just watch. So there was walking around the chattri...



...lots of banging and bashing with cymbals...



...and hokus pokus...



They even had horns.



A random participant.



Then, singer Nina Virdee was led to the chattri through an alley of fire.



There she is, singing.



A statuesque hand held in the air.



Then, there was some more percussion action...



...which was followed by a travelling bright light!



...and next, the whole site was ablaze!



I don't do the "sacred ritual" justice with my commentary, but I'm afraid I can't, as I have never experienced anything supernatural in my life, and that includes whatever supernatural things are taught by any religion in the world, as well as any "unregistered" spiritualisms. Nevertheless, this Red Earth installation/ritual was very enjoyable to see and experience. Lucky we decided to go and see The Chattri this weekend!