Little Egret.

The Little Egret was taken from a distance of about five yards. He visits Mote Park, Maidstone every winter giving wonderful views to people walking by.

Badger in the daytime.

We were visiting the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve in may and had just passed Castle Point when the badger appeared. It hung around for over forty minutes and came to within three yards of us. So from two until two forty/45 we were treated to a grandstand view of this elusive animal.

Frog of the year- or is it a Toad?

This beauty was in our back garden near the pond. I ran back for the camera and managed to get three photographs of him/her. It was in early August and the sun was up. There was a smaller one close by but it jumped into the bushes.

A White Cloud- Thank God.

I took this photo in August of this year. It was taken from outside our front garden. Yes it looks like a cloud of nuclear dust but that would not be white. Still an interesting shot.

Chaffinch at Bempton

We had had a glorious day birdwatching at Bempton Cliffs near Bridlington and were just having a bite to eat outside the visitor centre when this Chaffinch landed about a yard away. He returned a number of times for ther crumbs falling at our feet.

There are so many colours and shades of colour on these birds. We now have a pair in our garden that must be nesting close by, so glad of that.

Shellduck.

Taken in Regents Park London on a sunny April afternoon this shellduck and others gave magnificent views both in and out of the water. With its shimmering colours it is a wonderful bird to photograph and watch.

Moonlight.

I like this photo that June took one night when she found it hard to sleep. The moon is a good subject when it comes to art. Some photographers are so dedicated to their calling spending hours in a hide or standing knee deep in icy water for the perfect shot. Any photo though is an image of a moment in time, a historic reminder of something only you were able to see at that second and from that particular angle. Some will bring back memories both good and bad, will cause you to laugh or even to weep, others will enable you ( us ) to look to the future and continue on the journey of life seeking for thet perfect experience or photograph.

The Dawning of the day.

No hint of lightening sky as Mary walked alone towards the place where they had buried him,
but fear and vague anticiparion filled her mind of what would be revealed when journey reached its end.
But that scene had changed,
the stone was moved away
and Jesus lay no longer in the tomb.
So she glanced around, not knowing what to do
and saw a man unrecognisable.
"Where have you taken him? Tell me now I pray."
She pleaded as warm tears rolled down her face.
With just one word
he brushed all doubt aside
and recognition dawned with the whisper of her name.
Then the sun burst through,
its rays alighting on his face
and resurrection life rejoiced
to see the dawning of the day.

It is time.

It is time to seek The Lord . The same Jesus who the disciple Thomas called God, who was God in flesh. He died so that we might live in him forever.

And it was night.

And it was night when they left their warm abode,
the remnants of a final meal.
a chill of fear entering each watchfull traveller
as through shadowed streets they walked a silent walk.

Yes he was with them but seemed a man apart,
engrossed in something somehow close at hand,
which only he could fully contemplate or comprehend.

Beyond the ancient walls
where cultured olive groves held sway

Jesus stopped and prayed,
pleaded with his Father
while his disciples slept,
dreaming of times gone by.

Was it the food, or unknown thoughts of horror
thet brought on sleep where he cried out in agony?
And that was when they came
to hustle him away,
and it was night.

Who told him?

"Who was the girl about your size with long dark hair and a red coat son?" Dad asked soon after I had arrived home from Blackpool after a holiday with the lads. Now we lived in Armthorpe, a mining village three miles from Doncaster eighty or more miles from the seaside town that boasted a tower and the three Ms. Matthews, Mortensen and Moody all played for Blackpool football team He never did say who had given him the very accurate information about Betty.
Another incident that sticks in my mind took place five years earlier when I was twelve. I had been to town with my friend Eric. One the way there he had asked where my Dad was. "The old man is down at the pigeon loft", was my reply. On arriving home I was met with the words. "Less of the old man when you are out I' m your Dad." Dad tapped his nose when I asked how he knew................................. And they talk about surveillance today.

We did it for Pearl.

Life can last for minutes, hours, days, weeks, months. Pearl was given sixteen years, until, on her way home from work she was knocked off her bike by a speeding car. just over a week later, on a sunny day with birdsong ringing in the air, Pearl was laid to rest in the local churchyard.

Pearl had been a leading light in the Methodist youth club, a club with a membership of eighty and waiting list of forty. She had also with seventeen others stood one sunday evening to give her life to Christ and was the only one to continue going to the discipleship meetings.

Six of the members, including myself, carried the coffin, that day, and we had no answers, no assurance in our hearts. This girl, young woman, friend to all had gone.

Within weeks the membership was just over twenty and we had no waiting list, such was the impact of Pearls death. At the start of the Autumn ( Fall ) session the committee held a crisis meeting. We came up with about two dozen suggestions, some mad, some bad, and some that were to prove essential in both long and short term, and as a group we laughed for the first time in months.

It took time but the membership grew and once again we had a waiting list. I have often asked the question. Did we do it for God, the club? My answer no. We did it for Pearl. But what was God doing?

Well he was training at least one young lad for the future in leadership, preaching, and communication. Over fifty years later I am so glad for the life of Pearl, so short ,but so effective. That we did something for her not knowing that The Lord was doing something for us. Dave.

Sparrowhawk.

About three years ago this fine raptor landed on a branch of our back garden tree. I managed to get nine photograps of it through an upstairs window, three were good ones. A month later June took a photo of the male on a dividing fence between us and next door. From time to time we still see them.

Sparrowhawk.

Visits.

Being new to blogging, hope thats the right spelling, I was unsure how to find out the number of visits to my blog. I then saw on other blogs that I visited the number was shown on their profile. I went to mine and was pleased to see over 50, now over 60. Don't know if my visits are counted in this number but it does answer a question I asked myself before starting. Will anyone visit? The answer is yes, I still don't know how it works, with me I just flick through to the next blog button, probably others do the same. The problem with this method is how do you get back to one you like? Another bit to learn.

Blackcap.

We had never seen blackaps in our garden before January of this year and we have been here since 1987. Both male and femail visited and stayed until the snow had cleared. Perhaps the ordinary bird seed drew them or mealworm even niger seed, whatever, it was good to provide for their needs. They also gave me the opportunity for a few photographs through our back window.

Next Blog- Connecting with people.

Just over a week ago I learned something new. tentatively I clicked on 'next blog' and a blog came up and I was able to view it. Now this method is far from a perfet way of trawling the web. Why? At times I get a series of blogs that are in a language I don't know or subjects that hold no interest to me though the profiles may. The positive aspect is that I have been both moved and blessed by the things I read. The child who requires prayer for healing, the person in a foreign country who found that God was with her when things looked bad. Aspiring writers who have yet to be published. I have also found love expressed to both family and others, so much to inspire.

Now I must admit that I am unable to get back to these blogs as every time I do the new blog thing new ones appear so I am unable to thank those who have challenged me, helped me, though I do leave a comment now and again.

If you have never tried this way of interacting with the world may I recommend that you have a go, and remember, your comments may be of some help to the recipients or even life changing.

I dare you to try. Dave.

Gold Crest in sunlight.

June and I are truly blessed to have two goldcrests that visit on a regular basis. I have managed to capture some nice images of them in the last couple of years. This one was taken a few days ago. A hint for any who would like to photograph our (uk ) smallest bird. As they flit so quickly from twig to twig, branch to branch try to anticipate where they will go next and be ready and. If at first you fail, try again.....and again and, if need be.....again.

Feel free to download.

I believe that art can have a healing effect on our bodies and minds and that words can be a means of helping ourselves and others to a greater understanding of life. I am not a pro when it comes to photography or writing, even less for spelling but I would like to make an offer to anyone who wishes to avail themselves of it. Please feel free to download, if you can, any photographs or writings on my blog.

Perhaps you would just like to gaze on one of the photographs and take in the scene or re-read something I have written without going to the pc. It could be that a minister, bible class, school teacher or parent could use what is posted for the benifit of those who listen to them, watch them.

The word of God says freely have you received freely give. This I gladly do, not for my own glory, but for the glory of him who has freely given us all things.

Cormorant.

The Cormorant was taken at Mote Park Maidstone. I once photographed six on this tree, have not managed the perfect seven yet though.

Regal Redwing.

A week ago we went out for a pub meal at the Plough in Langley. As usual it was excellent. After that Headcorn was our destination. Between the Methodist and Anglican Churches and on the driveway to the community centre was a field on the left hand side. A few Redwings were almost posing so out came the camera and I shot some photos. Redwings are such regal looking birds it always thrills my soul to see them.

A near miss.

"Watch out." I heard the anguished cry as I glanced up from the bird I had been looking at. A ball was flying towards me being pulled down by the force of gravity. The chasing dog halted. As the ball, followed by a long piece of rope, hit the ground less than a foot away, a young lady rushed up full of apologies for her waywood throwing. No harm was done and we had a conversation about dogs and wildlife. Half an hour later I met a fellow birder who was just going into the park as I was leaving. Then a young married mother of four, after seeing my camera, said that she would like to take up photography as a hobby. I encouraged her to combine it with bird watching. By now my migrain was much worse so I caught the bus home. I wonder if the ball had hit me on the head would it have cleared the problem?

Red Darter.

The Red Darter was taken at Cliffe Pools in July of last year. On the same day I also took my first photograph of an Avocet.

Pale Beauty.

I write this poem some years ago after walking through Senacre Wood, Maidstone.

Pale beauty, dawn of spring awakening

in early daybreak softness.

Who planted you on wild or woodland bank

to bloom in lone seclusion,

revealing all your glory?

The glory of a princess, queen,

the glory of a primrose.

View from Filey Brigg.

This shot was taken from Filey Brigg on the 1st of October 2008. It pictures part of Scarborough and half way up on the right hand side of the picture the famous castle can be seen. Filey Brigg streaches into the North Sea for about half a mile and is a unique feature of the East Yorkshire coastline.

A scene from the cliff top at Bridlington taken in June 09. Part of a meadow like area left to grow naturally in the middle of grass that was cut at regular intervals.

A pleasing feature of the whole scene along the cliffs is the seating dedicated to deceased loved ones who enjoyed the view.

Trouble in class.

"So", our teacher said, "We humans are evolved from other species, at least that is the theory." I raised my hand and was given the go ahead to speak. I raised the issue of the missing link and the fact that if there was one it had never been found only to be told that I could be the missing link, giving the class a laugh. "Anyway", I said, " You sir might want to believe that you originate from a monkey but I don't have to believe that I do. " The class laughed again but I got no marks for my contribution.

On another occasion Our science teacher was talking about gravity being different on a mountain top to in a valley and asked for an example. "Does that mean," I said, " that if you go to the top of mount Everest you will be less dense there than you are here?" "Good example Sargeant but wrong subject." Was his reply. Again no marks.

I do believe in creation and in a young earth as do many scientists, physicists and geologists. I also believe that some day, in the Lords time, there will be a new heaven and a new earth.

Kingfisher taken in Maidstone close to where the River Len flows into the Medway.

Little Egret

For the third winter the Little Egret has visited Mote Park pond. This photograph was taken about a year ago.

Little Egret

Skylark.

This little beauty was taken at Bempton Cliffs June 2009. The closest we have been to a skylark for some time but there was no shortage of them at Bempton.

Into the Darkness.

"Come on up," he said, "And make sure you step on the beams and not the ceiling." I reached out for the strong arms above me and allowed myself to be lifted into the dark interior of our loft. As I rose up hooks were visible, though no sides of bacon hung from them as was usual when we had just killed a pig.

"It's black in here Dad." The words were uttered with no sense of fear for he was with me and Mum was in the kitchen. A torch sent a weak beam of light across the loft, probably the same torch that, for the first time in my life, I was allowed to shine into the night sky in May 1945. My eyes noticed a thin line of natural light in the distance at a slightly lower level than I was.

Dad halted, made sure that I was standing in the right place, and pointed the light upwards. "These are the reasons for the noises in the loft son." All around us were birds nests, all the same, there must have been a score or more. Each nest was occupied by a sleek black bird, a screaming one when in flight. Sitting on their eggs they were almost oblivious of the two alien intruders. Dad reached down, picked up one of the birds, handed it to me. "Handle it like a pigeon son only with a lighter touch." I knew about pigeons, we kept them, knew how to hold them, knew a good racer when I held one.

Apart from the sparrows that we caught using a dustbin lid, a length of string and some bread crumbs this was the first wild bird that I had actually held. That is why the swift will always be a bit special to me. No longer would I throw stones as they flew round and round the green across from our front garden, no longer would I be a collector of birds eggs.

Suddenly the swift made a movement, escaped, flew through a gap in the eaves and did a belly flop on our lawn. Was it dead? We went downstairs, outside, Mum joining us. Dad once more picked up the bird, handed it to me. "Let it go David. Let it fly." I did. The swift soared off into the sky only to return to its nest while we stood watching.

This and three other Redpolls were on a tree close to where I was walking in Mote Park. The picture was taken about twenty minutes before I saw the Jack Snipe on the 1st of February 2010. Not a bad mornings work.

Jack Snipe.

This is my first photo uploaded- more of a test trial than anything else.

June and I went to Mote Park today, again it was cold and a breeze from the east made for a lazy wind ( one that goes through and not round you ). We looked together for about an hour then split, June to look for the Little Owl and lake birds, me, well I went to the pond in hope of seeing the Water Rail and Jack Snipe. A Wren was darting about and the Grey Wagtail showed well. Eventually the Water Rail made an appearance as did a Tree Creeper, Jay and a couple of Magpies. June counted thirty six different birds in her (our ) trek. We met Phill and chatted to him for a while before we made our way to the car, on rout a Little Grebe was seen on the lake, among the various ducks was a Pochard, Canads Geese and two Mute Swans. We had spotted a Mute Swan just beyond the 2nd bridge, the first time we have seen a swan at that end of the park. We were now very cold so June drove us home avoiding the potholes in the roads, it was like an olympic ski run. Well try again to upload a photo.

Garden birds.

Our back garden is classified as of medium size, we also have a small front garden. On Friday 12th my wife June spotted eighteen different kinds of bird including Green Woodpecker, Blackcap, Wren, Two Gold Crests, Blue, Coal,Long Tailed and Great Tit and a black headed Gull. I was over in Essex at the time though in the morning had seen the Jack Snipe in Mote Park.
This morning we visited Jubilee Church in Maidstone and it was full to overflowing. Great welcome and good ministry. After the service we were going to pay a visit to Mote Park but it was bitterly cold and we were very tired having had about six hours sleep so went straight back home, June to sleep me to watch rugby and football.

Jack Snipe- Mote Park Maidstone

This morning I visited my local patch Mote Park Maidstone. On Monday 1st Feb I had discovered a Jack Snipe there. today I went again, met a guy called Simon ( Red Gannett blog ) I pointed him to a Water Rail . Simon used his bins and almost shouted "A Jack Snipe." There he was, though resting more than bobbing today he still showed well and we were able to take some good photo's. For some reason I am not yet able to upload photographs. This is my first blog, please do not expect perfection. Another Simon does the blog-Mote Park-a patchwork quilt. A very good read. Dave.