Dear Steve,
Hedgehogs are the main topic of Gilbert’s letter XXVII. For once, he has done something with a wild animal that I understand and acknowledge. I’m not sure how he procured (his word) his family of hedgehogs; I hope it was not by stealing from their mother, and I am sure he treated them well whilst they were in his care.
Again,I was struck by his words that hedgehogs abounded in his garden and surrounding area, I’m not sure if I can use that term for Gosport; I honestly can’t remember the last time I saw one. Our friend, Lynn, in Cambridgeshire goes to great lengths to create and maintain a comfortable environment for them.
Sadly, many of the little beasties end up under the wheels of vehicles as they attempt to cross roads. It always upsets me when I see the results of that unfair encounter.
I would, if I could, encourage hedgehogs into our garden, but I think we have the perimeter too tightly bound up. I must explore this more, though.
There have been a couple of instances of synchronicity between my encounters with nature and Gilbert’s letters; I had hoped there might be another one today, after my encounter yesterday with the ants in our garden. I would have been amazed had Gilbert talked of any insects. It was not to be. The ants, though, continue to provide food for this blog and did so again.
This time, they were busy exploring the table on our patio, where I had decided to sit and have breakfast. They didn’t interfere with my breakfast, but three of them did take advantage of a drop of milk that I had spilt, whilst another explored a piece of nut from my muesli. I, in the meantime, explored the macro capabilities of my phone’s camera (which are not at all bad).
For a change, we had some rain this week. Not much, but the sunflowers have been much happier. I think it is probably too late for some of the passion flower seed pods. One, in particular, which I have been following, appears to be withering away to nothing. Others are rotting on the vine. Not at all good.
One thing that does surprise me is that there are seed pods at very different stages of maturity, from very young to those that are withering. I wonder if that is a deliberate strategy on the part of the bush, to ensure continuity?
I’ve got myself into the position where I have been able to bring my stereo microscope out of storage, and have set it up ready for use. I’ve already tried it with some cat fur, but now waiting for its first proper subject. I’m not going to encourage a passion pod to fall, but it would be nice if one were the first.
This will probably be my last letter to Steve for a few weeks. The noticing will continue, though, even if the writing has to wait.
All the very Best
Bill
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