Monday 3 September 2012

A Fine Romance

And to set the mood, here's a rose:


This is Rose Lady of Shalott, an English Rose from David Austin Roses, just starting its second flush of flowers. I planted this one last autumn, and I'm really pleased with its performance in its first year. I followed the planting instructions to the letter, and it seems to have worked. Although, the wettest summer in a 100 years may have had something to do with it as well.

Anyway, before I get on to the romance bit, look who came visiting yesterday:

Four, yes four, long-tailed tits. They don't usually feed on the sunflower hearts, but there aren't any fat balls hung up just at present. Fed up of feeding that pesky squirrel. And so, on to the romance story. Are you ready ?  Here we go.

Two Wood Pigeons came and sat on the roof of the garden shed.

And then they began canoodling one another. Notice how the one on the right has closed its eyes.

A bit of 'beak to beak' kissing going on there, do you think ?

And the one on the left returns the affection. They've both got their eyes closed now. Ah.

And if you're wondering how this story ended, well they just flew away, together. What an anti-climax.
Of course, they could just have been removing lice from one another. Closing their eyes so that they didn't get them poked out, I suppose.

You know what, I don't think I'm very good at this romance writing lark. Ah well, it's not as if there's any money to be made from it, is there ?

14 comments:

  1. Oh...so sweeet!)))
    great captures!
    & beautiful flowers!

    xoxo, Juliana
    [pjhappies.blogspot.com]

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  2. A cute story, not sure what prompted the show of affection but they look sweet.

    The David Austin roses are spectacular.

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    Replies
    1. Wood Pigeons build their nests and raise their young throughout the year in the UK. Well, maybe not in the depths of winter, but late into the autumn and very early in spring is not uncommon.

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  3. Very cute pigeons! And a beautiful rose too.

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  4. We have 2 resident wood pigeons that sit on our fence just like yours. They do exactly the same thing but usually it's the female that seems to do most of the 'pecking', almost as if she's grooming Mr P. Then they take it turns to peck / groom...then Mrs P lays down & Mr P. does the deed. Wondering if this is where the phrase 'hen pecked' comes from coz she gives him a right ol' pecking!! Then they just stand apart and groom themselves. We have had one baby Pig' a couple of years ago.
    Gorgeous rose, wish I had more room x

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    Replies
    1. Although these two just flew away on this occasion, she probably had a headache, they did go all the way a few days earlier. I'll be on the lookout for an autumn nest.

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  5. What a lovely little love story! I have never seen them do that, but now I will keep my eyes open. I have seen two of them at a birdbath. So very sweet...thanks for sharing.

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  6. Hi Crystal,

    Ah, just a shame it's two pigeons and you know you'll be fed up in a month or so when baby is around and they're flying back... and forth.... back.... and forth.... The pigeons really, really do my head in. The worst for it are the ferals, they fly down hover for a few second, decide they won't land, then fly back up onto the roof. Repeat this at last 50 times until I get angry and wave around at them like a lunatic until they give up totally.

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    Replies
    1. We've had Wood Pigeons nesting in the garden for a couple of years now. They are a lot more discreet than the feral pigeons, probably because of the resident magpies. The youngsters stay in the garden for a few weeks after leaving the nest, but then they move on, fortunately.

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  7. Oh I don't know, in fact perhaps you could be the next Margaret Mitchell.
    http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/margaret-mitchell-american-rebel/interview-with-margaret-mitchell-from-1936/2011/

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I could always write a sequel to 'Gone With The Wind' called 'Flying In The Wind' maybe.

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  8. Ahh, so sweet! Loved your Lady of Shalott, I just adore roses, and especially David Austin roses. One of mine has just started on yet another flowering period, the fine weather we have just now seems to give all the roses a bit of a boost :-)

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    1. Lady of Shalott has got about a dozen blooms open now in this nice weather. Very impressive for such a young rose.

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  9. That rose is gorgeous!!! I love it! I've heard of it but have never seen it around here. It probably doesn't like our heat/humidity. I think your pigeons finished the party elsewhere. ;o)

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