Oh Louise, I am only just losing the blushed skin ! But yes, the Kingfisher was a wonderful prize, despite obvious difficulties.. Happy Womens Day to you 💞xx
Oh my goodness, Susie, I've just discovered you Substack and this had me holding my breath and then erupting in laughter! Kingfishers are my very favorite bird- I could see myself in this exact same predicament! Thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous writing- I can't wait to read more!
Kendall, I'm not sure this is as funny as your potato vines story but I'm delighted you had a giggle, I am well known on this hill for my English eccentricities but as I said to someone else, I would rather not have peeping tom added as one of them! Huge thanks for subscribing, I am working my way back through your posts so I haven't missed anything... your writing is addictive!
Ahh Philip indeed they are, today under a glorious spring sun, a gentle breeze too much to resist, the bull was making an absolute nuisance of himself amongst his ladies who had a preference for mouthfuls of fragrant plum blossom... there was much to blush about! 😊
Thanks John,it felt a little like the consolation prize but it was a prize nonetheless, I returned a week later to try again, found a pair of mallard but no kingfisher… I guess I’ll be pounding the river banks again… 🙏🏼
The strangest! Through my lens I could have sworn it was a pig escaped from the farm... the eyes are deceptive, they do not always tell us the truth! 🤍
Oh, you captured a split moment with the Kingfisher. Aren’t they a vision when they are fully engaged in their mesmerizing perfection of swoop and flight. Naked people, hmm, back in the day ,with my soulmate; season , temperature, nor Poison Ivy, yes we did, would not have stopped us. Even a camera accidentally pointed, or a farmer walking his hill , yes that too, would only have caused another split moment of laughter. I love your story, even more so, as it brought back my own “bare-assed-ness” ( thank you for the word , David P.).
This is one of my favorite songs from a long time ago. Video and lyrics.
I crouched low in those brambles for many minutes watching his swoops and skims across the water Lor, at times like that I wish I had swanky photographic equipment rather than my rather ancient kit but truthfully just the spying and gazing in awe is mostly enough… and carrying said stuff up my hill would feel cumbersome, setting it all up, tiresome, what would I miss in the doing?
The strangest coincidence happened the night of this little encounter, an email from an old friend, my first love, reviving many memories of my own, I will include some words on this in my next letter but in reply to your own recollections of passion in the wild , now, I will just add… Me too! x
Looking forward to reading more about ‘ the coincidence’. The Poison Ivy episode, I was 17, I remember sitting in the bathtub , no water, rubbing the liquid from Jewelweed in various places that shall go unnamed. My mom on the other side of the bathroom door, wondering why I came home and went right in the bath in the middle of the afternoon. I yelled out, just some dirt on my legs from hiking 🥾 ♥️.
There was no way on this planet my mum would have stayed outside the bathroom door had that been me Lor...she didn't have only five senses, she had ten! Nothing escaped her... certainly not me and my less innocent antics! 👣
Thank you Sarah, I am still praying they didn’t see me, I am well known around this hill for my English eccentricities but so far peeping tom hasn’t been one of them..; I rather hope it stays that way! 😂
Susie, what a story! Full of suspense, surprise, drama, the surges of spring, flushed with courage, shame, and mortification ››› and a glorious happy ending.
And it all started with just bimbling along... proving that life ~ every once upon a time ~ does write its own fairytales 💚🙏 🧚🏽 🪄 🍃 🪶
Now that the embarrassment of my predicament has cooled to a feint barely visible glow I am laughing at this little story, wondering even, what other stories may be hidden on my hill... I obviously need to bimble more often Veronika! 🙏🏼💚👣🌼🍃xx
Many thanks Laura, the photo was certainly, and probably always will be, more coveted for the strange experience leading to it! I am so glad you enjoyed my little bimble! ☺️
Hahaha! Susie, this story unfolded with perfect comedic suspense. Maybe we have the Kingfisher to thank for that, lining up his perch just so, so you could peer through your lens and make your discovery. If birds could chuckle, I bet he was in stitches the moment you realized your creature was a two-headed, four limbed rump!
If I didn't know better I would bet that devilish kingfisher set the entire stage Kimberly! If there had been another camera hidden somewhere, trained on me and my ridiculous antics, I am certain I would have been the biggest comic of the afternoon!
It is a rare day that I see anyone beyond the confines of the lanes up here or down below in the valley, the land is all privately owned, including the lake; the chances of running into naked youngsters must be infinitely low, almost as low as seeing a Kingfisher, perched and almost begging for his portrait! I will bare it in mind for next time though.. xx
I’m there with you or wish I was! 💙
I think this day we might have laughed so uproariously we’d have been spotted Sarah… see you at Le Barry I hope! xxx
What wonderful luck you had!!!
Oh Louise, I am only just losing the blushed skin ! But yes, the Kingfisher was a wonderful prize, despite obvious difficulties.. Happy Womens Day to you 💞xx
And to you as well, my friend! 💟
wonderful!:)
Thank you Jan xx
Oh my goodness, Susie, I've just discovered you Substack and this had me holding my breath and then erupting in laughter! Kingfishers are my very favorite bird- I could see myself in this exact same predicament! Thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous writing- I can't wait to read more!
Kendall, I'm not sure this is as funny as your potato vines story but I'm delighted you had a giggle, I am well known on this hill for my English eccentricities but as I said to someone else, I would rather not have peeping tom added as one of them! Huge thanks for subscribing, I am working my way back through your posts so I haven't missed anything... your writing is addictive!
Thank you! As is yours! I am delighted to be on your hill now. :)
Its always good to have another kindred soul up here! Welcome.. 💚
«´I know you’re there', just get on with it’ he yells a high pitched shrill across the water »
The birds in your part of town are mean, lolololl
This one was Natalie, mean as! I swear he was playing games with me, I swear he knew exactly what was going on in the background too!
Hé probably did. He was trolling you. It still makes me laugh.
I’m laughing along with you because let’s face it, there ain’t no point in crying!
Springs takes our fancy one way or another... all the world and its creatures in their earnest pleasures. First blush!😊👍
Ahh Philip indeed they are, today under a glorious spring sun, a gentle breeze too much to resist, the bull was making an absolute nuisance of himself amongst his ladies who had a preference for mouthfuls of fragrant plum blossom... there was much to blush about! 😊
There may only be one, but the picture is exquisite!
Thanks John,it felt a little like the consolation prize but it was a prize nonetheless, I returned a week later to try again, found a pair of mallard but no kingfisher… I guess I’ll be pounding the river banks again… 🙏🏼
Oh, the strange creatures one encounters on photography trips :)
The strangest! Through my lens I could have sworn it was a pig escaped from the farm... the eyes are deceptive, they do not always tell us the truth! 🤍
The Kingfisher always exacts the consummate price! 😆
Really felt like I was living your story as it unfolded through your omniscopic writing lens.
On this occasion without doubt Eric!
I am delighted you joined me for this rather surprising meander, thank you.🙏🏼
That barebottomed duo had no idea they were being witnessed by an entire legion of (non-threatening) substack readers..
Haha, yes indeed, I should have just snapped the shot Eric! I hope you're enjoying your Irish adventures..?
Dingle was absolutely magical ☘️
Dingle is always absolutely magical Eric! 💚
Oh, you captured a split moment with the Kingfisher. Aren’t they a vision when they are fully engaged in their mesmerizing perfection of swoop and flight. Naked people, hmm, back in the day ,with my soulmate; season , temperature, nor Poison Ivy, yes we did, would not have stopped us. Even a camera accidentally pointed, or a farmer walking his hill , yes that too, would only have caused another split moment of laughter. I love your story, even more so, as it brought back my own “bare-assed-ness” ( thank you for the word , David P.).
This is one of my favorite songs from a long time ago. Video and lyrics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyBh2GAL0bE
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&sca_esv=994173c4a1918642&hl=en-us&cs=0&q=Pink+floyd+grantchester+meadows+lyrics&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiJk6KwzeqLAxWuwvACHUt_KuUQ1QJ6BAh0EAE&biw=375&bih=605&dpr=2#ebo=1
Well, that is a nice surprise, me too.
Thank you for the link Lor, I am a huge Pink Floyd fan, barely a song they wrote doesn't have a memory attached!
I crouched low in those brambles for many minutes watching his swoops and skims across the water Lor, at times like that I wish I had swanky photographic equipment rather than my rather ancient kit but truthfully just the spying and gazing in awe is mostly enough… and carrying said stuff up my hill would feel cumbersome, setting it all up, tiresome, what would I miss in the doing?
The strangest coincidence happened the night of this little encounter, an email from an old friend, my first love, reviving many memories of my own, I will include some words on this in my next letter but in reply to your own recollections of passion in the wild , now, I will just add… Me too! x
Looking forward to reading more about ‘ the coincidence’. The Poison Ivy episode, I was 17, I remember sitting in the bathtub , no water, rubbing the liquid from Jewelweed in various places that shall go unnamed. My mom on the other side of the bathroom door, wondering why I came home and went right in the bath in the middle of the afternoon. I yelled out, just some dirt on my legs from hiking 🥾 ♥️.
Ouch! Poison Ivy anywhere!
There was no way on this planet my mum would have stayed outside the bathroom door had that been me Lor...she didn't have only five senses, she had ten! Nothing escaped her... certainly not me and my less innocent antics! 👣
Fantastic story! And I think the "nature lovers" had far more to be embarrassed about than you did.
Thank you Sarah, I am still praying they didn’t see me, I am well known around this hill for my English eccentricities but so far peeping tom hasn’t been one of them..; I rather hope it stays that way! 😂
Susie, what a story! Full of suspense, surprise, drama, the surges of spring, flushed with courage, shame, and mortification ››› and a glorious happy ending.
And it all started with just bimbling along... proving that life ~ every once upon a time ~ does write its own fairytales 💚🙏 🧚🏽 🪄 🍃 🪶
Now that the embarrassment of my predicament has cooled to a feint barely visible glow I am laughing at this little story, wondering even, what other stories may be hidden on my hill... I obviously need to bimble more often Veronika! 🙏🏼💚👣🌼🍃xx
quite a hill you've chosen as home 😊 I look forward and up from the far south to many more bimblings 💚🙏
Oh, but that dreamy photo at the last was surely worth such strange discomforts (grin)! Lovely, Susie :)
Many thanks Laura, the photo was certainly, and probably always will be, more coveted for the strange experience leading to it! I am so glad you enjoyed my little bimble! ☺️
Thanks Susie!
A pleasure Jonathan, an odd one as pleasures go but…
Hahaha! Susie, this story unfolded with perfect comedic suspense. Maybe we have the Kingfisher to thank for that, lining up his perch just so, so you could peer through your lens and make your discovery. If birds could chuckle, I bet he was in stitches the moment you realized your creature was a two-headed, four limbed rump!
If I didn't know better I would bet that devilish kingfisher set the entire stage Kimberly! If there had been another camera hidden somewhere, trained on me and my ridiculous antics, I am certain I would have been the biggest comic of the afternoon!
It is a rare day that I see anyone beyond the confines of the lanes up here or down below in the valley, the land is all privately owned, including the lake; the chances of running into naked youngsters must be infinitely low, almost as low as seeing a Kingfisher, perched and almost begging for his portrait! I will bare it in mind for next time though.. xx
Did you say, “BARE it in mind?” 😂
Oops, butterfingers! I wish I could tell you that was deliberate! 😂
The orange flash embedded in poetry like prose!
Kingfishers are poetry and prose on the wing Mary… my own is wholly unnecessary - thank you for noticing 💚