A face in the cloud

Thursday 23rd September 1999

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A HOVERFLY sunbathes on the pebbles at the edge of the garden pond. The bold black and yellow stripes on its back look like a designer backpack. It flies off as a small frog leaps into the pond, almost landing on it.

young newt A small newt, long, thin and snakelike, lies almost hidden amongst the pebbles.

We haven't seen any House Martins since the flock gathered on Monday. Today ten birds are investigating the nests on the house opposite. They may be the owners returning for one last look, or migrants from further north, who've happened to come across them.

face in the clouds For a moment a convincing face appears in a billowing mass of cumulus. It looks a bit like the profile of Alfred Hitchcock, looking intently westwards (directing a shower scene perhaps?). A minute later the resemblance has gone.

birch Yellow leaves of birches and willows float on the canal.

Richard Bell,
wildlife illustrator
E-mail; 'richard@daelnet.co.uk'

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