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Wednesday 3 April 2013

A-Z Challenge 2013 - 'C' Chaffinch ...



My A-Z posts this year are based on my garden – flowers, animals, the birds and the bees, butterflies - with a bit of poetry thrown in. For some letters I am expecting to cheat somewhat – a sort of wish they were here.

C - Chaffinch, Clematis, Cabbage White, Canterbury Bell 

It’s not just for A-Z that we can say,
Oh to be in England
Now that April’s there.

Chaffinch
 And whoever wakes in England
Sees, some morning unaware
That the lowest bough and the brushwood sheaf
Round the elm tree hole are in tiny leaf
While the chaffinch sings on ordered bough
In England now!

Chaffinch
When it comes to climbing plants not many will say they will wear purple when they grow old . Here’s one that tries every year.
Clematis
  Purple and green the clematis
Leans down my lady's mouth to kiss.


 Meanwhile:
The butterfly, a cabbage-white
(His honesty of flight)
Will never now, it is too late,
Master the art of flying straight,

Cabbage White butterfly
  Is it him I wonder who has changed these flowers from blue to white?

Canterbury Bells
 I think the Canterbury bells are playing little tunes.

Poems:
  • Oh to be in England – Robert Browning
  • A Song of Clematis – Ethel Clifford
  • Flying Crooked – Robert Graves
  • Madonna of the Evening Flowers – Amy Lowell

12 comments:

Rosalind Adam said...

We have Chaffinches in our garden this month. Even the ladies are pretty! And clematis is my favourite climber. We have one that flowers early and profusely over the side of our shed.

Rosalind Adam is Writing in the Rain

Sharon said...

Another enjoyable post.

No Cactus in your garden?

aw said...

Another interesting mix, Bob. Sadly not many elms around for that chaffinch today.

Guilie Castillo said...

Great post, Bob! You're so lucky to live in a place with so much diversity of flowers and birds :) And the poems... Lovely!

Susan Kane said...

Love the photos and the poetry. Clematis is the only one with which I am familiar, sadly.

Nicole said...

Stopping by from the A to Z. Enjoyed the nice summery pics!

Jo said...

Love chaffinches although I don't actually remember them. Clematis is such a pretty plant isn't it. Wonder why Cabbage White, never seen a cabbage as white as that.

Great post Bob.

JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

Golden Eagle said...

Beautiful pictures! :) The flowers are so colorful--and so's the bird, for that matter.

Chris K. said...

Pretty pictures, thanks for sharing! I especially liked the birdy. ;)

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

I am enjoying the adventures that take place within your "Secret Garden", Bob. I love the beautiful Clematis plant!

Kathy M.

Bob Scotney said...

Sharon - just a cactus in a pot in my office, I'm afraid.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Bob .. love the chaffinch particularly as he's rarely seen or known about ... and the others - love your garden colours or non - as in the white canterbury bell!

Cheers Hilary