Olga was feeling energetic yesterday, so we took a long walk on the Heath. Now that she's back on her anti-inflammatory medication she's more eager to get out and about. I guess I shouldn't have paused it in the first place, but I still suspect that it upsets her stomach a bit. Maybe we just have to experiment and find the optimal dose.
See that pink ring in the tree? Who would throw a Frisbee in a place with so many branches? Now it will probably hang there for 15 years.
Anyway, we had a good walk and saw some interesting things, like...
...a blooming rhododendron...
...and a tree with an eye.
The coltsfoot is back on Sandy Heath. I read somewhere that this plant is unusual because it blooms before it grows leaves -- which does look rather peculiar. This particular colony doesn't look as vigorous as it did last year, and there are newly worn footpaths nearby. I'm afraid some of it has been trampled.
Lots of these are growing near the ponds on Hampstead Heath Extension. I have no idea what they are. Anybody know?
Olga found that the roots of the Lulu tree form a perfect water bowl!
After we got home, I had some drama trying to download my pictures. I kept getting an error message from my camera. Finally, after multiple attempts, I got them to download rather slowly. I've ordered another memory card, because the one I'm using is about six years old and it's carried thousands of images, and maybe it's giving up the ghost. I've also never had my camera serviced, and it's seen heavy (almost daily) use in its nine years.
If we weren't in lockdown I could just take it in, but perhaps a new card will solve the problem.
Another lulu of a shot of Olga. Signs of spring. That frisbee would drive me crazy. I have a feeling someone did it on purpose.
ReplyDeleteI think the same thing.
DeleteRegarding the pink frisbee in the tree, I understand that it was thrown there by one B.Johnson who was showing off to his girlfriend Carrie and their Jack Russell - Dilyn. By the way, B.Johnson is reported to have said, ‘Please shoot that ****ing dog!’ after the two-year-old caused damage at Chequers in Buckinghamshire
ReplyDeleteWho names their dog Dilyn?! (Except the aforementioned.)
DeleteIf I ever owned a dog, I would call him Fido or Rover.
DeleteIt's possible that the meds are causing Olga's upset. I know that human meds for arthritis do that. Strange how animals can drink dirty water and not suffer ill effects isn't it. My cats do the same.
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
I've read about that -- apparently their stomach acid is so strong it kills many things that would make us sick. Of course, dogs DO occasionally get ill from things they eat/drink, so it doesn't always work.
DeleteGlad Olga is happy and I wonder how long the pink thing will stay pink? Love the tree eye!
ReplyDeleteThere are some mylar balloons in a tree on the next street that have been there for years -- they've gone from pink to a sad, deflated gray.
DeleteOlga is such a doll! It's nice to see signs of spring - somewhere. That tree eye is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it? I've walked past it a million times yet never noticed it until yesterday. It's SO eye-like, right down to the lashes!
DeleteI was going to ask whether you take your photos with a camera or a your phone. Question answered. Why do dogs prefer tainted water over fresh water?
ReplyDeleteI usually use a Canon EOS 5D Mark III camera, for which I have three lenses. But sometimes I use my phone, especially if it's just for simple illustration as opposed to photographic effect.
DeleteOh, and I think dogs like water with FLAVOR!
DeleteI'd be wary of the eye in the tree.
ReplyDeleteAs the old '80s song says, "I always feel like somebody's watching me!"
DeleteI wish rhododendrons grew down here. and that coltsfoot flower looks like a dandelion. I have no idea what the other plant is. we have three water bowls in the house for the dog and cat but every morning after she gets fed the cat wants out to go drink from the turtle pond.
ReplyDeleteMaybe there's nutrient value (as well as flavor!) in murky water? Like probiotics? Animals definitely seem to prefer it.
DeleteMy plant app says that your mystery plant is Arctic sweet coltsfoot but I'm not sure that's correct.
ReplyDeleteLike Ellen, I wish that rhododendron would grow here. It is so beautiful. The wild azaleas are blooming in the woods now though and they are beautiful too. Unfortunately, due to my foot I'm not seeing them.
I need some of Olga's medicine.
Aha! I'm not sure about the "Arctic" part, but I think that IS the right family -- Petasites, or coltsfoots. There's something called butterbur that looks more like what I found, also a Petasites species. I had no idea I saw TWO coltsfoot species on my walk! Yay for the plant app!
DeleteNot too sure from the photo but could that wildflower be a ransom (a type of allium)?
ReplyDeleteI did see ramsons (aka ramps) on my walk, but this was something else. I think Ms Moon nailed it -- Petasites.
DeleteSo nice to see Olga having a good day at the Heath. Love that eye in the tree and all the blooming flowers.
ReplyDeleteIt was a good walk!
DeleteThat eye on the tree is very interesting. It looks like natural growth.
ReplyDeleteI've had the same feeling about my camera. I started noticing a focus issue with mine. Every now and then I get one or two shots that didn't focus on anything in the frame.
I think it's basically a scar from an old limb or twig, but funny how it looks so eye-like. My zoom lens seems to have slightly fuzzy focus. Makes me crazy!
DeleteI love all the blooming flowers. Hopefully, the new media card will fix your problems with the camera. If you have to have the camera cleaned, at least you have the camera on your phone to use. I know, it's not the same, but it does help. You have a super day, hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's my backup! I still have my old camera, too, but honestly the phone may be better.
DeleteIt seems strange to see blooms without any(or many)leaves. I love spring flowers because most of them are bulbs that just come up without any work on my part. :) I'm expecting tulips soon.
ReplyDeleteDaffodils are one of my favorite flowers for just that reason -- I don't have to do anything to them!
DeleteI once took a photo of a tree that had a huge ear growing on its trunk - I called it my "listening tree" - so that would make a good match for your "eye" tree. Funny how you never noticed it before today; you just had to come at it from the right angle. Happy to see blooms again!!
ReplyDeleteNow I just have to find a nose! LOL
DeleteYour camera saw lots of things in just one day.
ReplyDeleteIt was a productive walk!
DeleteLove Olga drinking from the tree! I assume you give her her meds with food, but that's what always works for me if I have something that upsets my stomach (my multivitamin for example).
ReplyDeleteYeah, she gets the Metacam with food.
DeleteSeems like it was so much easier, if slower, in The Olden Times, when one could just take out the film and drop it off at a photo lab.
ReplyDeleteUgh, I hated that wait, though. It's so nice to have pictures instantly. Remember how it used to take two weeks?! And then, when 24-hour photo labs appeared, they seemed so amazing!
DeleteOlga must be getting a lot of flavor out of that tree.
ReplyDeleteI shudder to think.
DeleteYou give them nice clean water at home and they don't touch it. Our cat prefers the water in the bird bath.
ReplyDeleteI really do think they like a bit of flavor, as gross as that sounds.
DeleteSomething intriguing in that tree trunk...
ReplyDeleteWe're being watched!
DeleteI've missed coming here for your beautiful photos, your wonderful dog, your gentle sense of humor and your relaxing meanders through London. I need to catch up.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, Elizabeth! I'm not sure I'm always so relaxing, but glad you caught me on a good day. :)
DeleteOh Yes, The Tree Root Water Bowl - And On The Other Side, A Mud Bath To Roll In - Best Day Ever Human - Now, Whats A Gal Gotta Do Around Here To Get A Biscuit
ReplyDeleteCheers
Who would throw a frisbee in a place with so many branches? An eight-year-old boy.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
We saw the weird plant by the ponds on the Heath extension too. Asked on the Facebook Wild FLowers of Britain page and some of the boffins there identified it as Giant Butterbur. It's even edible (they say) but believe me I'm not going to try eating any specially since I think you have to cook it before eating otherwise it's poisonous. https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Butterbur_Sprout_8913.php
ReplyDelete