Monkeys, Monks, and Shrines
Before heading out to the Achham, we had a day to wander around Kathmandu. It is always exotic to see monkeys in an urban area. This little family hangs out at Pashupatinath.
This fellow was standing at Boudinath the whole time we were there. He never moved from this spot.
These little shrines are everywhere in Kathmandu.
We are back home, but I will continue to post about the trip. Thanks for following.
Hummingbird
The hummingbirds are back in full force. This fellow with the beautiful red throat was the first one I’d seen this year, and he showed up about a week ago. All the feeders are going strong and there are now a (collective noun?) of them around. We once read that you should have at least 2 feeders as they are quite territorial. We now have 3 and they chase each other around chirping like mad. They are not shy at all; I was basically standing right next to the feeder to get this shot.
Springfield, Ohio
Much of the time when I stay in hotels, I get crap views out the window. This is a bit of an exception. The black streaks in the sky are crows, which came out in droves as the sun was going down. (Is that what a shitload of crows would be called? A drove? Hold on, I’ll look it up. Oh dear, it is a “murder” of crows.). There were hundreds of them, all making quite a ruckus. AND, when I was walking around town before dark, I heard what I was sure was a very loud hawk. It turns out it is a recording (!) of a very loud hawk, probably in an attempt to scare off the crows. What a world.
Transition
I have been back from England for several days, but had some images from there I wanted to post, so this will be a bit transitional.
Cris and I had a nice walk in the Green Park and in St James’s Park on Saturday before heading back up to Stratford upon Avon.
There was an amazing exhibit at the entrance of St James’s called “Fields of Battle – Lands of Peace“. Photographer Michael St. Maur Sheil went to major sites of the first world war and documented what remains from 100 years ago. It is a brilliant idea, and executed really well. It is wild to see huge photographs mounted outside.
Whenever I drive from London to Stratford upon Avon I stop at the Oxford Services on the M40. Just above the carpark is a hillock where you get a great view of the countryside. I think I might have posted a similar photograph from a previous trip.
We basically did the same walk on Sunday that we had done the week before.
This time it was very misty. I am happy to say that the horse with the red coat had his friend back.
The nice thing about doing walks in different weather conditions is that you see the landscape in an entirely different way.
Although the beer looked pretty much the same.
As did the outdoor gents. (Gentlemen is such a nice word; it should be used more.)
After the Sunday roast at the pub, we went next door to Snowshill Manor. The whole place is really bizarre, and very interesting. The gardens are really nice and I was really pleased to see this Green Man water spigot. I have become somewhat obsessed with the idea of the Green Man; it is very pagan but you can still find him in some early churches in England. I think there are 4 in Shakespeare’s church in Stratford upon Avon. (There is also a great XTC song about him.)
It is nice to be home, although for some reason England is always the place I feel the most comfortable. But I live here, and it is a beautiful part of the world. The Olive was really glad to see us, and after the recent rains she has been able to find water (and mud) everywhere.
Mr Turner and More
We made it to the Tate Britain today to see the Turner show. It was amazing. No photography in the temporary exhibits, so no pics, but oh my, what an exhibit. He was it.
The rest of the museum was nice. All Brit artists and huge, with lots of variety.
Walked around London afterwards and saw these coots in St. James’s Park. I love coots.
Long bus ride out to Hammersmith to have a few pints at The Dove.
To me, it is the nicest and most welcoming pub in London.
John and I have a long history here. We never made it to the V and A for the Constable exhibit. Maybe tomorrow or Friday.
Wing
There is a group (collective noun?….any help here?) of bobcats that live next to my brother’s house here in South Carolina. As I was out for my morning walk I saw this wing lying next to the road. I looked around and it seemed to be all that was left of the bird, which appears to me to have been a seagull. / Even though we are surrounded by nature all the time and so close to it in many ways, it is unusual to be so close to the cycle of predators and prey. It made me feel connected in a way that doesn’t often happen.
Hummingbird
The hummingbirds have been draining the feeders this year. They are very territorial and are always chasing each other around. I had forgotten just how noisy they are. They “cheep” in a manner not too different from the chipmunks.
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