Usually when we walk there are plenty of people around but that day we passed only a few dedicated dog walkers. We had one of those rare times when we almost felt that we had the park to ourselves. Rows of trees stood in total silence.
This tree had just a few lonely parakeets perched in its branches. In the summer they screech around but that day they were quite silent.
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These majestic oaks are usually dressed with their leaves for most of the year and you don't really get to see the tangle of branches which lie underneath.
Winter reveals them and I thought they looked quite mysterious. It's not really surprising that ancient folks worshipped them...if you look at the trunks for long enough faces do seem to stare out at you.
Even the birds on the ponds were sitting quietly.
We spotted a few empty nests...
Spring at the moment seems a long,long way off but just as we were leaving I took a closer look at some of the branches...
I noticed that there are some definite slight stirrings going on, yes buds. Although they were tightly shut they were present on many of the branches.So even on the dullest, darkest winter day it seems that mother nature is still busying herself behind the scenes and there is a promise of spring.We walked briskly home to the warm and when we got indoors smiled when we saw Billy lying upside down ......Billy often sleeps this way, his family we got him from as a kitten said he was always the one who all his brothers and sisters laid on. Bless!
....stay in the warm and perhaps just dream of the sleeping giants...;0)
Keep warm,
Bye for now,
Jane x
(PS remember to enter my free giveaway here it runs until 24th January and everyone is welcome to enter)
I love big old trees in the winter time when you can see all the gnarled and twisted shapes. And lovely to see the signs of spring in the buds there too! Thank you for these beautiful pictures. Have a lovely week. Helen x
ReplyDeleteThank you Helen, trees really are quite special aren't they; we rather take them for granted! Enjoy your week too,
ReplyDeleteJane x
Lovely post Jane, I'm definitely a tree hugger, I love them!
ReplyDeleteThose oaks are so beautiful. :)
You say you have parakeets in the trees, that's very unusual!
I quite like it when we go to the park and there's hardly anyone else there, I like to have it to myself.
Just look at that Billy, he likes his comfort, doesn't he, bless him!
Have a lovely week, Jane!
Vivienne x
Hi Vivienne, the parakeets are a new arrival here, my Mum had them in her garden over in Bromley, Kent for many years and now they seem to be here too. I am amazed they survive the winter!Billy is currently on his favourite chair counting sleeping giants! Have a great week too.
ReplyDeleteJane x
We must be on the same wave length at the moment, I have been watching the big old trees at our woods these last couple of days and noticed the first signs of budding, cheered me up no end :O) Lovely photos as always Jane, and I am glad I am not the only one that sees faces in the bark, the only secret faces seem to be kept by the Locust Tree at our woods.
ReplyDeleteBilly must be related to our Iz, she may not be a cat but she still manages to sleep upside down with all four paws tucked under her chin!!
Hello Jane,
ReplyDeleteI definitely saw the buds in your pictures (I REALLY miss the spring!) so we're getting there! And no snow? At all? When did that happen? We have it SO MUCH here...Huh, I am sure we'll have it until June ;)
Beautiful pictures, and Billy's were the most adorable! He really enjoys life!
Have a great Tuesday!
Yours,
Mia
Hi Laney it is so good isn't it to see the buds developing, I even found some green shoots from my bulbs in the garden at the weekend..roll on spring!Our Billy is such a hoot, I do think he believes he is a dog - so perhaps he is Iz's cousin ;0)
ReplyDeleteJane x
Hi there Mia...yes there are some very early signs of spring here, it is just dull and damp at the moment but thank goodness the snow seems to have gone from the south of England. It was so pretty but it became a real problem here - I have had enough snow to last me for some time now!
ReplyDeleteHappy Tuesday, Billy sends a big purr to you in snowy Finland, keep warm.
Jane x
Hello Jane! Big trees are so beautiful and so rare here! You took wonderful photos...I can feel the atmosphere in the park! Thank you for lovely post!
ReplyDeletexxx Teje
Hi Teje, our countries have such different landscapes don't they? I so love seeing your sunshine but I would miss the majestic trees here if I lived anywhere else! Happy Tuesday, we're off dancing now!
ReplyDeleteJane x
Oh, I love these winter trees! We often walk along a nearby creek and marvel at the old oaks and sycamores, wondering who else might have stopped by to enjoy the shade or dip their toes in the creek, (of course, during warmer weather)! I imagine it would be nice to have a warm place to return to, and snuggle cozily like your little Billy! Sending winter sunshine from so. California! :o)
ReplyDeleteThat is the extra appeal of trees isn't it Michele, they are so ancient and would have been sat under and swung from by many, many generations. Thanks for your sunny comment,
ReplyDeleteJane x
Hi Jane, I found you when you left a comment on my blog.. don't you love how that works? We have a lot in common, grown children, blogging, photography and JEWELRY making! :-) I have a link to my jewelry on my blog, you'll have to check it out sometime.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you!!
Teresa in Oregon USA
Great to see you here Teresa and I agree we share a lot of things in common don't we! I so enjoy this blogging world too, such great fun. Thanks so much for visiting and I hope to see you here again really soon.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Jane x