Therefore all seasons shall be sweet to thee,
Whether summer clothe the general earth
With greeness, or the redbreast sit and sing
Betwixt the tufts of snow on the bare branch
Of mossy apple-tree, while the nigh thatch
Smokes in the sun-thaw; whether the eave-drops fall
Heard only in the trances of the blast,
Or if the secret ministry of frost
Shall hang them up in silent icicles,
Quietly shining to the quiet Moon.



Wednesday, August 28, 2013

A Suffolk Lane


As I mentioned in my last post Neil and Francesca's home is surrounded by farmland, this is Surprise who lives on the farm next door.


Here is the lane they live on, their house is up the lane beyond the trees.


The field in the previous photo is growing wheat but barley is also grown along with maize,rapeseed and sugar beet. I think it's possible that the barley goes to Adnams the local brewery as it's in Southwold which is only about 40 minutes drive from Neil's house.


There were  lots of wildflowers along the lane and the many public footpaths that lead off it including the beautiful wild blue scabious.


One of my favourites is the beautiful pink convolvulus arvensis which grows everywhere. As it's common name is field bindweed I suspect that it isn't as popular with the local farmers as it is with me:)


I think that this is the prickly sow thistle - whatever it is it's very popular with the local insects, hoverflies, wasps etc The large hoverfly at the top is Heliphilus affinis and I think it's rather beautiful. The smaller one is I think Episyrphus balteatus or the marmalade hoverfly. If you click on the photo you'll be able to see the markings on both of them more clearly.


Equally popular was a stand of purple (spear?)thistles which was absolutely alive with bees, hoverflies and butterflies. The photo shows (yet another of my 'I thinks!) two white tailed bees and a small white butterfly on a single flower. I am as always open to correction on any of my attempts at identification :)
Edited to add that this is actually a female Large White butterfly - thanks Roy:)



All the hedgerows were thick with berries and fruits of all kinds - elder, blackberries,sloes and these which look to me like the fruit of the bird cherry in various stages of ripeness.


The highlight of my early morning walks though was seeing the hares, something which has always eluded me on previous visits in spite of Cesca saying that they're everywhere. Now I know which field track to find them on!


This particular morning provided me with a very special experience but this is the last photo I took as from this point on I was standing absolutely stock still. The hare looked as though he was going to cross the track and disappear into the maize but as I stood there he turned, looked  at me and then came lolloping straight towards me stopping a couple of times to gaze at me and eventually going slowly past about four feet to my right. I felt very privileged to be trusted that much by a wild creature.


The following day there were two of them and I saw them several times after that but never as close as the first time. There are lots of muntjac deer around too, mostly when I saw them I was driving and they crossed the lane in front of me - happily always at a good enough distance for me to slow down and stop. The lanes are narrow and twisty, only wide enough for one car in many places so driving at any speed isn't a wise option. The only one I saw when walking came out of the wood,  crossed the track and had disappeared into the maize before I had chance to take a photo so I've borrowed the image below from the internet.


20 comments:

Louise said...

Lovely photos, and congratulations on the new grandchild, just caught up with your previous post :)

Anonymous said...

een prachtige serie heerlijk al die vrolijke kleuren ,maar die met de twee haasjes vind ik helemaal super.

Mac n' Janet said...

How sweet the hares are and how very different your deer are.

Rowan said...

I don't speak any Dutch but ran the comment from Stiefbeen through Google Translate which as usual didn't make much sense but the comment does appear to be fine. If anyone can tell me what it actually says I'd be grateful:)

Bovey Belle said...

I'm so glad you not only saw the hares (and more than once) but that one was brave enough to pass so close to you. It is 20 years or so since I saw one locally, which is a pity.

I loved the wild flower pictures - the bindweed is so pretty, even if it IS a weed to farmers!

Roy Norris said...

You certainly had a nice area to walk (when you had the spare time D).
The Dutch Guy Says, "This woman hasn't got a clue what she is talking about"
No seriously. {:)) its is Nic and his comments are fine. He says that its a wonderful series with lovely bright colours and he mentions the two Hares especially. The Small White Butterfly is actually a female Large White, but the remainder of you ID-ying is pretty good I think.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Just lovely photos - so peaceful. Love that the hares let you get photos. The bindweed we have here is pure white - and oh so lovely - except I suppose for the farmers. But we often see it growing in the wild, up tall trees and all around in the blackberry hedges. The flowers shine like stars.

Rowan said...

Thanks for the translation Roy - and I'll edit the bit about the butterfly:)

Patricia said...

Lovely photos Rowan and I love those hares. The wild flowers are gorgeous..
Patricia x

the wild magnolia said...

excellent post.

a nice travel down the road with you. the wildflowers were beautiful, butterflies and bees, bird cherries, are spectacular. the hares are absolutely enchanting. i feel they did trust you, and gave you gifts, being still, and returning to see you again. sigh......

thank you for sharing all.

WOL said...

Beautiful photos. I'm so glad you're back to blogging again. I missed you!

Lynda (Granny K) said...

Most enjoyable, thank you Rowan.

Simone said...

I would love to see a hare in the wild. I have seen rabbits - but never a hare. Gorgeous looking creatures.

MorningAJ said...

You got that close to a wild hare. I am officially jealous!
Lovely photos.

Jo Potter said...

Hi Rowan,
The flowers have been amazing this year with the warmer weather!
How beautiful it is to see the wild blooms in your photos.
Lucky you to see the hares so close up. It looks like they posed for the camera showing their best side for you! ;-)

Unknown said...

Our little lane is much changed now. The wheat has been harvested and was so dry it has gone straight to the barn. The last swallows dance overhead and berries are appearing everywhere! I think the hares miss you too!

sarah-jane down the lane said...

How lovely! A hare, two hares, you lucky thing...they always seem to elude me! Surprise! What a brilliant name, as is Jude Samuel...very fine names indeed, congratulations to all.
Sarah --x--

Rosie said...

How wonderful to see those hares and for them to come so close to you too:)

Diane said...

Congratulations on the new and gorgeous family member. How special. Glad to see that they are keeping you busy xxxxxxxx

Morning's Minion said...

What a lovely country lane for a walk. I am always curious to know the identity of wildflowers, birds and insects. Having my camera along makes it a bit easier to come home and search reference books or the internet for names.
Now I'm wondering if 'hares' are the equivalent of the 'jack rabbits' which are common in hte interior west.