South Norwood Country Park

Surprise - I went somewhere different for my walk the other day. It was a very last minute arrangement - I joined a friend and her daughter's little dog for a walk in South Norwood Country Park.

Blue sky, fluffy clouds, wide swathes of grasses etc.

Thistley things which have shed their seeds - I think that's what they are anyway (oh so knowledgeable and technical)

My friend said these are weeds - I wouldn't mind weeds like these in my garden

The thistles are a lovely colour and what a lot of seeds they produce

Those pollen paniers are huge - how does a little bee carry all that lot?

Patterns in the sky

There were masses of these seeds - each puff of wind lifted more of them and wafted them along

The white threads on the individual seeds glinted in the sunshine

I alternated between enjoying the expanse 

and the details

I remember visiting the Country Park not all that long after it was opened - there wasn't much there then except for the pond. I don't think I've seen it since - other than a quick glimpse from a train window.

I like these tall waving purple seeded grasses

and the teasels

My friend pointed out a heron on the other side of the pond

and a little later she noticed another one further along

A duck flew towards us and landed in the water - I wasn't quick enough with the camera and missed it. Then three ducks swam towards us - I was ready for them!

These seed heads intrigued me.

looking closer

and more seeds

 Back to the thistley things

and the white fluff

A view in a different direction

Looking closer

When I got home I noticed a delightful young cat playing in our garden. This one has visited several times before and has delicate white lines down the back of his/her ears and the most magnificent eye liner

Thank you very much for popping in to see my blog.