LIFE & STYLE
Bird Watch with Stan Kenyon Woodpeckers climb and excavate nest holes in trees. Their drumming action on dead wood in spring is a sure sign of their presence on territory. Flight is in deep undulations. Of the three all-year residents, the most familiar is the great spotted woodpecker in woods, parks and gardens and now a regular visitor to bird tables. It is a black and white bird with large oval shoulder patches and red under the tail. Males only have a red hind crown. Bright green with crimson crowns, green woodpeckers are larger and more rural, preferring open areas near trees which resound with their loud laughing calls. Lesser spotted woodpeckers, only chaffinch size, are black above with white bars across wings and back, the male sporting a red crown. Shy and elusive, they inhabit deciduous woods, parkland and river valleys with alders. The first two are increasing widely but the lesser spotted is now very scarce, though easily overlooked.
BANGS & A BUN
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I’m pretty strict when it comes to celebrations. Birthdays? Fine. Anniversaries? Only significant ones. Work leaving parties? – well how long did they work there? If it was only a few months they can really stroll off into the sunset without me chipping in for a gift. I don’t partake in dancing around Stonehenge for the summer solstice, I hate Halloween and don’t even talk to me about Bonfire night. But Christmas….ahh, I LOVE Christmas. I love Christmas lights and shopping when it’s a bit nippy out. I say I don’t mind it being a bit nippy – having spent the last three years living in Canada, nippiness is much preferred to the minus 35, snow up to your knees, fear of frostbite kind of cold that goes with Christmas there. I love how the season makes everyone a little happier. It even manages to melt my ice queen heart. I love sending Christmas cards, making eggnog and hiding presents before the big day. And, I feel at ease with you now so I trust you enough to tell you this: I may very well be 29, but I am still the first one up on Christmas morning, waking everyone up to open gifts. I love all of that, I really do. The only thing I can’t stand about Christmas is the music. Can we all just make a pact to put the Mariah Carey Christmas album and that God awful song by Slade in an incinerator? .............................................................................................
I LOVE HOW THE SEASON MAKES EVERYONE A LITTLE HAPPIER. IT EVEN MANAGES TO MELT MY ICE QUEEN HEART. For more go to www.bangsandabun.com 24 December 2010 | northleedslife.co.uk