.jpg) Casper the Woodford Owl
The Owl Centre in Kington, Herefordshire, gives unequalled access to these beautiful nocturnal birds of prey. Winter in England can be grim: cold, wet, and dark early.
Finding something to do outdoors with young people in inclement weather can be tricky. I was staying in Hereford late last winter and had friends coming to visit me. I wasn’t sure what they would be interested in, so I sent them a list of options and was thrilled when they decided on an afternoon at the Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre in Kington, about forty minutes northeast of Hereford.
I love animals and animal sanctuaries (as regular visitors to these pages will know; e.g.: Potoroo Palace; Durrell Wildlife Park; The Two Tarongas; Gunung Leuser Orangutangs), so any excuse to visit a new one is fine by me. And of course, owls are special: they feature in the myths and legends of many cultures. Symbols of wisdom in the books I read as a child, they were omens of death to the Native Americans around me.
Predominantly nocturnal, owls are also elusive. I have only ever once seen one in the wild: a large powerful owl (Ninox strenua) had decided to perch just over the boardwalk where my husband and I walk daily. The experience left us hushed and awestruck.
There is, of course, the dilemma of keeping animals in captivity. Many of the owls at the centre are rescued animals, while others are hand reared. Certainly, having them under-cover on a rainy English afternoon made them accessible.
.jpg) Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre
The winter sun was angling low in the sky and the shadows were already long by the time we arrived rather late in the afternoon. .jpg) Sebastopol Geese
With their long, white, curly feathers, the geese scrabbling for food in the yard are an arresting sight. Sebastopol Geese are a heritage breed, thought to originate in Central Europe.  Casper the Woodford Owl
Casper, an African wood-owl (Strix woodfordii), was born and hand-reared here at the Owl Centre, … Casper the Woodford Owl
… and now greets visitors as they enter the park. Teatowel the Barn Owl
Barn owls (Tyto alba) are one of the most widespread of all birds. If “Midsomer Murders” is anything to go by, they are commonly seen and heard in the English woods. Numpy the Milky Eagle Owl
Verreaux’s eagle-owl, also known as the milky eagle owl or giant eagle owl, (Bubo lacteus) is the largest of the African owls. Petting Numpy
The signposting tells us who likes being petted; Numpy who was hatched here in 1996, is a fan of a neck scratch. Numpy the Milky Eagle Owl
He truly is a glorious creature with his blue beak and fluffy ear-tufts. Young Lad and the Baby Pygmy Goat
Children just love small animals! Only adults are allowed to handle the owls – I suppose small fingers would be awfully tempting – but the baby pigmy goats are fair game. There are plenty of volunteer staff around to make sure the animals are handled gently. Goats-in-Waiting
They must have an endless supply of baby animals! The doe grazing while baby kids gambol was heavily pregnant, and due any day. Baby Pygmy Goats Billy Pygmy Goat
Midas, the Papa pygmy goat has a wonderful, classic beard. Old English Goat
Who knew there were so many breeds? The old English billy, with his long face and long horns … Golden Guernsey Goats
… has little appearance in common with the inquisitive golden Guernseys! Golden Guernsey Goat
All the goats look forward to being hand-fed, but the Guernseys behave as if they’re truly going hungry – an impression belied by their full, round bellies! Cashmere Goats Girl with a Guinea Pig
In another area, very small animals like mice, and rabbits, and Guinea pigs run around their pens – or come out to delight the visiting children. Red Squirrel
The red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is a tree squirrel that was once common throughout Eurasia. In England they are now under threat from habitat loss and competition from introduced American grey squirrels. Alpaca
Alpaca (Lama pacos) are still out in the wet paddocks … Feeding the Alpaca
… waiting for a last feed in the late afternoon before the park closes for the day.  You can’t beat kids and baby animal –
It was a winter afternoon well spent!
Happy Rambling!
Photos: 07March2015
Posted in Animals,Great Britain,Nature,TravelTags: animal park,animal sanctuary,animals,bird,children,England,environmental portrait,Great Britain,nature,Photo Blog,portrait,travel,Travel Blog,uk,Ursula Wall
Autumn Flower and Punakha Dzong
Autumn (September-November) is one of two high-seasons for tourists in Bhutan – and for good reason: the skies are clear, the days are warm and sunny, and the colours are bright. “The palace of great happiness or bliss.”
That is how Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong translates from Bhutanese.
Also known as Punakha Dzong, it has been an auspicious fortress for many years. Punakha Dzong was the seat of the Government of Bhutan until they moved the capitol to Thimphu in 1955. It is still the administrative centre for the Punakha District, and houses a number of precious religious relics.
According to legend, this dzong, or place-fortress, was predicted by Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. He is reputed to have said that: ‘…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant’. When Ngawang Namgyal, a Tibetan lama, found the elephant-like hill at the confluence of the rivers Pho (father) Chu and Mo (mother) Chu in the Punakha–Wangdue Valley, he built the dzong as foretold.
Constructed between 1637 and 1638, Punakha Dzong is the second oldest and second largest dzong in the kingdom. It is considered one of the most beautiful and is a joy to explore.
I was there late on a beautiful September afternoon in 2009 as part of a group with photographers Gavin Gough and Jackie Rado. Spring and Autumn are high tourist-seasons in Bhutan, and we were not the only photo-group in the ancient building; keeping other photographers out of my pictures was one of the challenges I faced as I wandered around and marvelled at this architectural wonder.
Doing Homework
Across the river from Punakha Dzong, senior high-school students are doing their mathematics homework. I can’t see the elephant trunk myself, but it is a gorgeous view! Doing Homework
The young men, in their final year of high school, were a delight to chat with: thoughtful and articulate, with reasonable English. Punakha Dzong Entry Bridge Bhutanese School Girls Monk Walking
The interior of the dzong is beautifully decorated… Monks Walking
… with carved woodwork, colourfully painted. Banister Detail
The carved and painted details around the dzong are rich in eight-spoked wheels and other Buddhist symbolism. Venerable Monk Young Monk Lattice and Lace Security Officer
People stand in angle-lit doorways… Young Monk
… as if they are just waiting to be photographed. Chorten and Bhodi Tree
In the northern courtyard, a sacred bodhi tree is growing in front of a huge white chorten. Venerable Monk
I cautiously worked my way into where two monks were conversing… Venerable Monk
… so I could gain permission, wordlessly, to take photos of them. Guides Chatting
In their gho -traditional knee-length robes – and kabneys – silk shawls – two guides chat. Old Wood and New Locks
Roof Detail Guru Rinpoche in an Alcove Monks in Late Afternoon Light Three Sisters
Local children pose spontaneously together as I cross over the bridge again … Monk Saying his Prayers
In the late afternoon, a Venerable walks rounds with his prayer beads. Following the Hills
… and we leave the temple. Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong was the first major dzong I visited – and exploring it was, indeed, cause for “great happiness or bliss”.
Till next time ~
Mettā
Photographic notes: pictures taken 25September2009 with my old Canon EOS 400D – edited in Lightroom 5.
Posted in Architecture,Bhutan,Portraits,TravelTags: architecture,Bhutan,blog,buddhism,buddhist,dzong,environmental portrait,environmental portraits,people,Photo Blog,portrait,portraits,religion,travel,Travel Blog,Ursula Wall,worship
At Litli Geysir
Iceland is home to the first geysers known to modern Europeans. A trip to the geysers in the country’s southwest is an integral part of ‘The Golden Circle’: Iceland’s most popular tourist itinerary. Iceland, that tiny Nordic island nation in the North Atlantic, sits just barely outside the Arctic Circle and has more glacier-covered land than all of continental Europe. With a terrain that has been ground flat by successive periods of glaciation and rendered relatively tree-less by human predation, the winter landscape looks cold and white and eerily bleak from the air.
But, it is not all as cold as it looks.
The country sits across a rift in continental plates, resulting in a high concentration of volcanoes, hot springs, and geysers – and plenty of almost-free heating and electricity. In fact, about 87% of the heating for buildings and for hot water is geothermal, and approximately 26% of the country’s electricity comes from geothermal power plants.
The capital city Reykjavík (Old Norse for Bay of Smokes) was named for the white “smoke” rising from the hot springs in the area (see: Public Art, Reykjavík). Geysers are so prototypically Icelandic that the word itself came into English in the late 18th century from the Icelandic verb geysa, “to gush”.
The 300 kilometre (190 mile) circuit of highway known as ‘The Golden Circle’, the country’s most popular tour, comprises a visit to the geysers, and stops at the continental divide in the UNESCO-listed Þingvellir National Park and the world-famous Gullfoss waterfall. We combined the tour – which starts and finishes in Reykjavík,with a trip to the naturally-heated Blue Lagoon near the Keflavik Airport, and made a full day of it.
Come along and enjoy Iceland’s unique volcanic landscape.
Morning Light on Lake Tjörnin
Our bus tour starts with a crossing through Reykjavík itself, driving past the partially-frozen Lake Tjörnin in the early morning light. (iPhone6) Snowy Landscape
As soon as the city is behind us, the view across the Reykjanes Peninsula from the bus windows is flat, snowy, and strewn with small rocks and large boulders. (iPhone6) Blue Lagoon Entry
Before long we arrive at our first stop: the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. Bridge over the Blue Lagoon
The waters rise up through a lava field in Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula: Blue Lagoon itself is man-made and fed by the water output of the nearby geothermal power plant. Blue Lagoon Visitors’ Building
The waters rise at between 37-40°C (98-104°F), steaming where they meet the cold (0°C; 32°F) air. Leaving the warm waters to reclaim your towel is an adventure! Blue Waters
The waters are a rich mix of silica, algae and minerals; it is sunlight reflecting off the silica that makes the water look blue. Blue Café
After a relaxing thermal bath, complete with mineral mud mask, it is important to re-hydrate. View from the Bus
The Golden Circle Tour runs northeast from Reykjavík … (iPhone) Snowy Power Lines
… through an open, snowy landscape … (iPhone) Þingvellir National Park
… into Thingvellir National Park. UNESCO-heritage listed since 2004 for both historic and geologic value, the park is the site of the world’s oldest legislative general assembly, Iceland’s Alþingi (literally: “all-thing”), established in 930. The park also straddles the Continental Divide: where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Down into the Divide
These plates are drifting apart at the rate of more than two centimetres per year. Here in Þingvellir National Park, a walkway leads into the gap, so visitors can functionally walk down between Europe and North America. There are other places nearby (e.g. the Silfra Canyon) where you can scuba dive or snorkel between the continents. Golden Circle Apartments
Back on the bus, the odd hotel complex stands out in the open landscape. (iPhone) Gullfoss Overlook
Our next stop is Gullfoss – “Golden Falls” – where a massive volume of water appears to simply disappear into a crevice. Down to the Gullfoss
The roar of the falls is deafening, and the force of the water causes splash and mist to rise all around. The Gullfoss
The two-tiered waterfall is quite magnificent – even in the cloudy, overcast conditions we were experiencing.
We escaped the cold and deafening noise and enjoyed our lunch in the on-site Gullfoss Café, which offers hearty hot soups and other food at reasonable (by Icelandic standards!) prices. At Geysir
The last stop on the circuit is at Haukadalur, home of Iceland’s most famous geysers: Geysir, Strokkur and Litli. Compared to the magnificent geysers in Yellowstone National Park in the USA (see: Old Faithful and Friends; Artist’s Paint Pots; and Mammoth Hot Springs), the geothermal activity here is extremely modest. Steam Rising
The walkway meanders past Litli Geysir (Little Geyser), around steam vents and mud pools, … Strokkur – “Churn”
… and on to Strokkur. Eruptions at Great Geysir across the road can be unpredictable, and have even stopped for years at a time. Strokkur Erupting
Strokkur, on the other hand, erupts reliably every 3-8 minutes, shooting to heights of up to 30 metres. Litli Geysir
Litli Geysir lives up to it’s name: “Little Geyser”. Hotel Litli Geysir
Tourist accommodation sits near the geysers in the winter landscape. Vatnsleysufoss: Faxi Waterfall
On the long drive back to Reykjavík, the tour buses stop briefly at one more waterfall.
If I had been able to chose, I would have picked better weather – but it was an interesting, enjoyable, and informative day, and one I’d recommend to anyone in Iceland for a short visit.
‘Till next time – Happy Rambling!
Photos: 18March2015
Posted in Iceland,Nature,TravelTags: blog,Iceland,landscape,National Park,nature,Photo Blog,travel,Travel Blog,UNESCO,Ursula Wall
Camel Thorn Trees in the Dunes
Namibia, the driest country in sub-saharan Africa, is home to one of the worlds oldest and largest deserts. Camel thorn trees (vachellia erioloba) are among the few specialised types of vegetation able to survive the extremely arid conditions. Namibia is big.
It doesn’t seem particularly big if you are looking at a map of continental Africa, but that is only because Africa is HUGE. Namibia is the 34th largest country in the world. And if your bottom is on a seat in a truck, and you are being driven almost 4000 kilometres in less than two weeks to take in the highlights, it feels really big.
I was travelling with photographer Ben McRae, Pedro Ferrão Patrício from Photoburst, Namibian guide Morne Griffiths, and four other photography enthusiasts across an amazing landscape.
Most of the roads we traversed were gravel: some well-graded, but others corrugated and potholed. The noise and jolting of a truck on a gravel road, especially in the heat, makes any distance feel longer. It was August, which might well be mid-winter, but the temperatures – which dropped to single digits overnight in the desert air – rose to over 30°C by mid-morning most days, baking our vehicle. The heat bounced off the sere landscape and the light angled into our windows. Any circulating air brought road dust and grit with it, sucking all the moisture out of one’s body. I hate to think what these roads must be like in summer!
Not only is Namibia large, it is the second (after Mongolia) least-densely populated country in the world. This has to be due to the desert climate: hot and dry with sparse and erratic rainfall. Only the very toughest plants and animals survive.
So, there is a lot of distance between towns; there are expansive tracts of empty space.
I tried to capture a “feel” for the countryside from my window – using my iPhone on those long stretches of road without stops – as we drove from the small, central capital city to a desert so expansive that it’s very name: “Namib”, means “vast place” in the local Khoekhoe or Nama language.
View from the Truck
Not even an hour south of the capital Windhoek and we are already on a quiet road in the middle of an almost empty countryside. (iPhone6) View from the Truck
Less than two hours from the capital we leave the pavement behind. The empty landscape rolls and bumps past, alternating with small, barren-looking villages with their collections of kids and goats and cows. It’s not yet mid-day, and it’s the middle of winter, but the bright light and stifling heat bounce off the truck windows. (iPhone6) “Private: No Entry”
Large tracts of land are fenced off – often with not a house or outbuilding in sight. (iPhone6) Tipped Truck
The rough roads take their toll. This truck had passed us not long before. “They are driving too fast!” observed Morne, our guide and driver. Sure enough, they took a bend too fast and spun out.
Fortunately, no one was seriously injured, but it took Morne and Ben some time to help the passengers out of their vehicle. We were a long way from anywhere: Morne climbed onto the cab to get a better phone signal so he could make the accident report for the unfortunate occupants. (iPhone6) Dunes in the Distance
Finally, after a long day in the vehicle, the dunes of Namib-Naukluft Park come into view in the distance. 10August2015 (iPhone6) Jeep Driver
Once inside the National Park, we transfer into jeeps for a 60km trip into the sand dunes… Dead Trees
… and then walk into the clay pans and the ancient sunburnt dead trees of Deadvlei (see: Portrait of a Tree). The Dunes of Namib-Naukluft Park
The next day, after an early-morning visit to Deadvlei (see: Dead Trees and Dunes) we are back in open-air jeeps bumping across the desert. Pied Crow (Corvus Albus)
As we wait for our truck, I admire the bird life; … Cape Sparrow (Passer Melanurus)
… it may not be exotic, … Tractrac Chat (Cercomela Tractrac)
… but it is full of character and entertaining to watch. Roadway
In the middle of the day, we head across the desert to set up our campsite for the night. The road through Namib-Naukluft Park stretches out before us. Fairy Circles
We stop for a look at the fairy circles that are common in the arid grasslands of the Namib desert. Until recently, these bare patches were thought to be endemic to the south west of Africa, but in 2004 similar rings were discovered in the Pilbara region, Western Australia. Morne
Our guide explains some of the theories about the as-yet unexplained circular barren patches. Ostrich (Struthio Camelus)
The dry landscape is home to giant ostriches, who lope off as soon as we take an interest in them. Social Weavers (Philetairus Socius)
The common social weavers, on the other hand, pretty much ignore us as they move around their massive communal nest constructed from stiff grasses. Springbock (Antidorcas Marsupialis)
Pretty little springboks wander around the Sessrium Gates Campsite as we set up. (iPhone6) Dead Tree and Scrub
Life is tough in the Namib Desert; it gets less than 10 mm (0.39 in) of rain annually – and even this falls unpredictably. Sands and Bush
The desert dunes have their own personalities in the changing afternoon light. Golden Sands
Small shrubs cling to the shifting sands. Scrubby Bushes on the Dunes
On the crusty white clay pans, more vegetation grows. What little water is available here flows underground. Lines and Curves
The sun drops behind the dunes and the sand changes from orange to pink and purple as the winter afternoon light quickly falls-off. Sundown on the Dunes
We are treated to a multi-coloured sunset as we make our way back to the truck to return to our campsite for dinner.
Long distances and bumpy roads, true…
But well worth it to access this unique and magnificent landscape.
Till next time –
Happy travels!
Photos: 10-11August2015
Posted in Africa,Animals,Landscapes,NamibiaTags: bird,blog,desert,drive,driving,landscape,Namib desert,Namib-Naukluft,Namibia,Photo Blog,road trip,travel,Travel Blog,Ursula Wall
Hereford Cathedral on the River Wye
The old market city of Hereford was granted a town charter in 1189 by Richard I of England, but has been recognised as a city since time immemorial. (26January2015, iPhone5) Everywhere you look in Hereford, in the British Midlands, you see history.
As a city it dates back to Saxon times, when the Bishop of Hereford was first installed some time between AD 676 and 688. But it has operated as a cross-roads market-town for as long as anyone can remember. Today, its historical buildings serve as reminders of those past eras.
Welcome to Hereford
An old pub sign for the Saracens Head hangs over St Martin’s Street just south of the historic Wye Bridge. Built in 1490 and widened in 1826, the Grade I-listed river crossing takes local traffic north into downtown Hereford.
A short distance up-river is the newer A49 highway bridge which is more of a thoroughfare; down-river is the Grade II-listed Victorian-built (1898) Victoria Footbridge. The Black Lion
On the other side of the Wye Bridge, we find the the Jacobean-fronted half-timber building that houses the Black Lion Pub. The Midlands is “Black and White” country (see: Medieval Ludlow), and a few of these distinctive buildings survive in Hereford itself. The Left Bank Gate
The old streets hide modern facilities like the newly re-conditioned Left Bank event venue. Gwynne Street
Narrow roadways lead into old Hereford city, … Hereford Cathedral
… past the gothic-style cathedral (built 1110-c.1250), and into the old town … High Town
The “Old House” on the town square was built in 1621 as part of what was once “Butchers’ Row”. This well-preserved timber-framed Jacobean building is surrounded by newer architecture. Pigeon on the “Old House” Roof Window into the Old House
The box-framed building has been a museum to Jacobean times since 1929, but is not open every day. I had to be satisfied with peeping at the period furnishings inside through the windows. Stained-Glass: All Saints, Church of England
The original All Saints Church dates from around 1200AD, but was damaged – probably by an earthquake. The existing building was completed about 1330. Re-opened in July 1997 after extensive repairs, the building is today a centre of arts, good-works, and worship in the middle of town. Entry to Hereford Cathedral
There is no better example of Hereford’s long, rich history than the older, grander, Hereford Cathedral. The current building dates from 1079 and stands on a site – overlooking the Wye River – where cathedrals have been since Saxon times. Magna Carta Exhibit
One of only four 1217 Magna Carta to survive is housed in Hereford Cathedral’s Chained Library. In 2015, the Cathedral organised exhibitions, displays, lectures, and special services to celebrate the 800th anniversary of this charter of legal rights.
Another precious treasure in the Cathedral is the Mappa Mundi, a medieval map of the world dating from the thirteenth century. Tomb of Bishop James Atlay
Largely reconstructed during Norman times (1110-c.1250,) the current gothic-style Cathedral contains a number of effigies, tombs and beautiful stained glass windows. The North Transept, for example, features a six-panel window designed around 1864 by Hardman and Co., leading manufacturers of stained glass windows at that time. The left half of the window depicts living Christians working towards their faith, while the right half shows those who are already in Heaven.
The beautiful marble effigy on the Tomb of Bishop James Atlay (1868–1894) in the foreground was carved by James Forsyth (1827–1910). Lady Chapel
The five stained glass panels of the East Window (1852) over the altar in the Lady Chapel tell the story of the life of Jesus. Pilgrims Prayers
“Each candle represents a pilgrims prayer.” The Mother
Votive candles are everywhere in the dark interior. Another set sits outside Audley Chapel, where the painting reads: “The Mother of God who points the Way.” Thomas Traherne Stained Glass Windows
Four new stained glass windows were designed and created in 2007 by international stained-glass artist Thomas Denny (b.1956) for the newly restored Audley Chapel. They illustrate stories from the writings of Thomas Traherne, MA (1636 or 1637 – 1674), Hereford’s most celebrated poet, clergyman, theologian, and religious writer. Eagle Lectern Golden Globe
From the lectern, you can see over the pews, through the arches and out into the light. Looking through the Choir Winter Window
Outside Hereford Cathedral, the winter chill has left the trees bare. Under the Hereford Corona
As evening approaches, Peter Dyke, Assistant Director of Music at Hereford Cathedral, discusses plans for Evensong with members of laity and clergy in the North Transept. Above them, the silver-gilt “Corona” representing Jesus’ crown of thorns, hangs suspended over the main alter. Designed and made by acclaimed silversmith Simon Beer, it was installed under the tower in 1992. Satin and Silk
Evensong over, I reenter the quickly-darkening streets to make my way out of the old city… … and back over the Wye River to the newer suburbs where the young families who link Hereford’s Saxon past and it’s modern future, live.
Happy Rambling!
Pictures: 06March2015
Posted in Architecture,Great Britain,History,Travel,UrbanTags: architecture,blog,Christian,christianity,Photo Blog,travel,Travel Blog,Ursula Wall,worship
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