Local Pictures

These pictures are all based on home, and local walks, or short trips.

Click on any picture to enlarge to full screen.


SW London Parakeets

Some people dislike them on account of their being screetching and noisy, but I very much like these cheerful birds. I only have room to put bird feed 12 inches from my front room window, but this is good enough for parakeets, who come to see me every day, winter and summer.
I stare at him, and he certainly stares back. These parakeets are called Rose-ringed Parakeets because the adults have a well developed rose ring around their necks. This fellow is just a juvenile.
They are quite determined where feeding is concerned, and easily get at the nuts.
The rose ring is clearer on this fellow,
who is actually a bit of a show-off.
In the evening, they start converging on Esher, Surrey, and they congregate in the trees there.
Then they fly in great flocks to their central roost in Esher Rugby Footbal Ground, where several thousand of them roost every night in this row of poplar trees.
And this is best shown by an amateur movie. Just point the camera at the poplar trees, and see what you get. These birds squawk a lot. What a wonderful sight, and noise. Movie (no sound) runs for 100 seconds, and is 80MB, so broadband only, and patience.



Bushy Park, Teddington

Just across the road from my flat is Bushy Park, one of 4 deer parks in SW London, where the deer are a particular delight.
At the end of the day, the fallow deer settle down for the night.
Very peaceful.
Throughout the seasons, the deer enliven the park. This group are red deer, the largest of UK's deer.

The deer usually keep away from humans, but not always.
This pair were particularly bold,
And clearly enjoyed the paddle on this hot July day.
Though toy boats are something to be wary of.
We always get some nesting swans by the park's lakes.
Herons also grace the park,
ever on the alert.
Heron on the watch out.
This one has stopped fishing for the day.
And then there are foxes.
Very relaxed...
Just busy foraging...
People can largely be ignored,
even a party of them.
In April a carpet of bluebells appears in the Woodland Gardens.
More bluebells.
And finally, to show off the lakes, what better than a good sunset.
and again.



Richmond Park

Not far away is another deer park - Richmond Park. It is very delightful, and includes the Isabella Plantation, a truly beautiful place to visit when the azaleas are out in May.
Red deer in the park.
The Isabella Plantation includes several lakes,
with an abundance of flowers,

There are many small streams,
providing the ideal environment for water plants.
All very beautiful.
And in May, the rhododendrons will also be in bloom.
How does mum keep a handle on a brood of 20 ducklings?



Virginia Water

Just a little further away, and bordering on Windsor Great Park is Virginia Water, a favourite for walking in, especially in May and June, when its great collection of azaleas and rhododendrons can be seen at their best.
There are some fine trees at Virginia Water.
One landmark to be admired is the Totem Pole
In April there are great crowds of daffodils,
spreading as far as the eye can see.
But it is the azaleas that Virginia Water is most renowned for, here in the Valley Gardens.



Many varieties of rhododendron are on display.
All the walks in the Valley Gardens are delightful.