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Tuesday 2 April 2013

A-Z Challenge 2013 - 'B'



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 – wishing they were here.

B - Bluebell, Begonia, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Bumble Bee

One day, one day, I’ll climb that distant hill
And pick the bluebells there!

Bluebells
 We inherited lots of bluebells when we moved into our house over twenty years ago so we do not have to climb those distant hills. The flowers have spread so much that we have had to thin them out when they begin to swamp the borders. 

There are some plants that thrive in pots or  tubs..

Begonia
However they all welcome the humble:

Bumble Bee
The pedigree of honey
Does not concern the bee
A clover, any time, to him
Is aristocracy

It’s always a pleasure to hear them buzzing around as it is to listen to the birds.

O blackbird! sing me something well:

Blackbird (tuning in!)
Of  course you just have to stop and watch:

Blue Tit
 Lithest, gaudiest harlequin!
Prettiest tumbler ever seen,
Light of heart and light of limb
What has now become of him.

But by far the most colourful bird that visits us occasionally is:

Bullfinch
We may have to wait till May before we can say

See the bright bullfinch now,
High on the apple bough.

Poems
  • Bluebells – George Barlow
  • The Bee – Emily Dickinson
  • Blackbird – Alfred Lord Tennyson
  • Blue Tit – Wordsworth
  • Bullfinch – Anthony Rye
Photo Attribution
  • Blue Tit – Jan 2011 By Tony Hissett – CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Bullfinch – Mark S Jobling – Public domain

12 comments:

aw said...

Another lovely selection, Bob. What a pity the bullfinch seems such a rare visitor these days.

Bish Denham said...

Those birds, beautiful! I'm a bit envious of the gorgeous flowers. We've been so dry here in Texas the last four years we've hardly had anything blooming at all... :(

Jo said...

Ah, bluebells, haven't seen any in years. Snowdrops too are not seen here. Love the pictures, birds are lovely. You must have a nice garden Bob.

JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

Nancy Jardine Author said...

I've got no bullfinches in my garden, or bumble bees as yet but if I'm patient I might have the rest. Nice photogaraphy.

loverofwords said...

None of the birds your photographed do we have here at our birdfeeder in Colorado. But this winter we have three kinds of Jays --Stellar Jays, my favorite, Blue Jays, and Scrub Jays. Your photography is terrific.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Bob .. love the photos and the poems that match exactly .. I love the Bee one .. and blackbirds sing so early in the morning before dawn - incredibly wonderful song ..

Now the bullfinch is beautiful .. thanks for showing him!! Cheers Hilary

Daniel B. said...

I love it...birds, flowers, and poetry. A great combo.

Over here in the US of A, it's National Poetry month, so I'm a fan of your chosen theme for A to Z. Keep it up!

Unknown said...

You make me ache for Spring (or at least warm weather)

EvalinaMaria said...

Great photos, thank you for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I wish bluebells had come with our home. They are so beautiful.

Sharon said...

Great pictures. I particularly like the photos of the birds. I haven't seen either of these birds before. Did you take the photos?

Bob Scotney said...

Sharon - the photos are mine except where a credit is given at the end of the post.