Magnolias seem to thrive in London. Different varieties have been in bloom since early April. Now, the magnificent magnolia tree at Eldon House is in bloom. We can see it from our balcony and visit it when the gardens are open.
Monday and Tuesday were both sunny with temperatures in the high teens. There were many signs of spring on both of our walks.
A few native wildflowers had sprung up in the lawns at a local cemetery and at Greenway Park. Lawn Daisies are an introduced species that have naturalized here.
Birds were active in the warm sunny weather. A small flock of Dark-eyed Juncos foraged in a stand of conifers and on the ground. They will soon move farther north. European Starlings flocked in the treetops. Robins searched for insects and worms. A female Northern Flicker investigated a possible nest cavity. American Crows clamoured and perched but the Mourning Doves sat quietly.
Trees were in bloom, spreading pollen far and wide. Eastern Cottonwood – red catkins of a male cottonwood tree. Tulip tree with flowers forming on the branches. Invasive Norway Maple’s green blossoms. Catkins of the willow tree.
Cherry blossoms attracted many pollinators!
Osprey Update
Although we thought that our Ospreys had abandoned the stadium lights and adopted the low platform for nesting, they once again are giving us some anxiety. We see that they are spending time perched on the pile of sticks they have added to the stadium lights. It still does not appear to be a viable nest. Perhaps the lights are the preferred lookout for approaching predators.
When we were at Greenway Park, we saw that a pair of Ospreys had laid claim to the platform there.
Wandering Bee Flowers
Good news! The flower farm had its first blooms of the season available at the market on Saturday. These tulips are a relative of parrot tulips that unfold wildly as they mature. We had one rogue/bonus blossom in the bunch.
Women’s Names from A to E
A
Linda Ronstadt – Allison
B
Barbara Ann
Billie Jean
C
My Darling Clementine
D
Dawn
Diana
E
Elenor
Elenor Rigby
More Barbara Ann
There are so many fun versions to sample
The Who versions (studio and live)
The Who recorded “Barbara Ann” on the Ready Steady Who EP in 1966.
The song was performed live on 27 July 1977 in rehearsals at Shepperton Studios for the film The Kids Are Alright with Keith Moon on vocals. Moon, a massive Beach Boys fan but a notoriously limited singer, plays and sings much to the delight of his fellow band members.
More of The Who having fun
Twist and Shout – to end a live show