Wetlands
Of the many photographs I take at the Wetlands Centre this evening, Eitan picks this one as his favorite. Why? "Because there is lots of colour in the background and the sun is in there too. And the ducks are going about their business." There you have it. I pick the kids up early afternoon from Kumon, drop Natasha off and head for Barnes and the largest land reclaim in London. And it is lovely, too. Located on 100 acres due south of Hammersmith, the land formerly several small reservoirs from the Victorian era. Following a 25 year battle with developers and the Council, and thanks to the heroic efforts of Peter Scott, the wetlands the largest inside any major city and the first of its kind in the U.K. The main driver the birds (this is the animal loving Britain) who migrate to and fro past here and include the gadwall and mighty shoveler duck - pictured. Also on site: the great bittern, pintail, lapwing, water rail, ring-necked parakeet, sparrowhawk, sand martin, kingfisher (my favorite), little grebe and great crested grebe.
The old age pensioners turn out in their kit and use the various shelters to bird-spot. Amateur and professional photographers here too. Pretty cool. The place exists thanks to cooperation between the politically powerful environmentalists and rich, eccentric, neighborhood wackos and the craven, profit-driven builders. Since everybody's real estate better off by such diversification, it is a win-win, dude. We come out on top, too, strolling in the late evening sunset with autumn in the air and chilly. It reminds me of years ago when I came here often enough to entertain the kids and burn time before .. bed. Now the Shakespears that much older and, yes, I am wistful.
The old age pensioners turn out in their kit and use the various shelters to bird-spot. Amateur and professional photographers here too. Pretty cool. The place exists thanks to cooperation between the politically powerful environmentalists and rich, eccentric, neighborhood wackos and the craven, profit-driven builders. Since everybody's real estate better off by such diversification, it is a win-win, dude. We come out on top, too, strolling in the late evening sunset with autumn in the air and chilly. It reminds me of years ago when I came here often enough to entertain the kids and burn time before .. bed. Now the Shakespears that much older and, yes, I am wistful.
Me: "Do you know how the world was made?"
Madeleine: "There are two reasons."
Me:
Madeleine: "First, it was when two planets collided."
Me: "And the second?"
Madeleine: "Well, some people think it was the Jews."
Editors note: Madeleine appreciates the Judaism honors only one God, and I think she means that the alternative to the Big Bang (we discuss this) creationism .. or The Hand Of God.
