Climb every mountain........... by happypat

Climb every mountain...........

A lovely Easter Monday, much warmer & the sun was out most of the day.
The ladybirds were enjoying the sunshine too.

A disaster for our little duck family today. Harry saw them very early this morning...he thought one more was missing then but as they were crossing next doors lawn later in the morning they met their dog.
Much panic & one got separated from the others & on its way back got taken by a very large crow.
When we looked again on the pond we saw she only had about 8 or 9 left.....once the crows catch sight of them it's fatal.
We haven't seen them since & am sure they will be too frightened to cross over the lane now....we feel really sad about it. They might just venture in the early morning , do hope so.

Three good things:
1. We sat out in the garden for the first time today.
2. I made Mary Berry's fiery red rice & carrot salad today......different but rather nice.
3. Started another new book which seems to be very good up to now.....Half of a Yellow Sun.
Oh no, this is more emotional than a soap opera.
April 21st, 2014  
That's a rather high mortality rate so far - a bit nerve wracking for you two Like the ladybird, well spotted. I've read another book by that author of Half of a Yellow Sun but cannot now remember the author's name!!
April 21st, 2014  
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Hazel & I had to copy every letter!
April 21st, 2014  
@quietpurplehaze Just tagging you for Pat's comment above (interfering!). VERY sad about the ducks - that's why they have so many unfortunately. I would send Harry out with a gun after those crows - I know, WRONG - it's nature and the crows will be feeding young too - but they are clever and ducks, well, not so much...
April 21st, 2014  
PS - love your ladybird - got distracted by the duckling's demise.
April 21st, 2014  
@judithg we said we would have gone out with a gun too if we had one.....there again that's nature I suppose but I do not like crows!
April 21st, 2014  
@judithg book looks good Judith all about Nigeria....will. Let you know how I go on!
April 21st, 2014  
Super shot Pat. Sad news about your ducklings.
April 21st, 2014  
What a great shot, worthy of a magazine at the very least:0)
April 21st, 2014  
Super find and capture -- but ooh so sad about the little duck family -- isn't nature so cruel sometimes !!
April 21st, 2014  
I have been looking for a lady bug all summer.. must be doing their OE..
April 21st, 2014  
so darned cute !!!
April 21st, 2014  
Awww, so sad about the ducklings. I do hope the rest remain safe.
April 21st, 2014  
Lovely capture of this ladybird, maybe its brings luck to the remaining duck family, but normally there are only a few left in the end. Suppose that is nature otherwise there be only one type of animal left. But they will come back and once they're a bit bigger in 3-4 weeks they are to big for the crows
April 21st, 2014  
So sad to hear about the ducklings - but the ladybug is an amazing capture!
April 21st, 2014  
Awww very sad about the ducks, the ones on the pond where I work are falling prey to rats apparently.....life I suppose :(
April 21st, 2014  
Oh sorry, yes I love your ladybird, nice sharp shot!
April 21st, 2014  
Cute! I spotted one in our garden on Saturday but not for long......I think he'll be hiding safely somewhere and hope he has lots of friends!
Sad about the little ducks! Are there foxes in your area I wonder?
April 21st, 2014  
Gorgeous!
April 21st, 2014  
Lovely ladybird capture, so sorry to hear about the ducklings :-(
April 21st, 2014  
Oh poor ducks, nature can be so cruel. Yes I've read the book and really enjoyed it - I think they're making it into a film. Lovely close-up detail on your ladybird.
April 21st, 2014  
@busylady thank you Judith....will watch out for the film then!
April 21st, 2014  
@vega thank you so much for the fave Vega!
April 21st, 2014  
@attieno thank you too for the fave too Frances.
April 21st, 2014  
Nice photo of the ladybird. It a tough world out there for young birds.
April 21st, 2014  
oh dear Pat those horrible crows ! A lovely shot, but a sad narrative about the baby ducks :(
April 21st, 2014  
This is fabulous. Not so good about the ducklings
April 21st, 2014  
Maybe the ducklings should learn how to duck! You could start a duck crossing and go in front holding up a pitchfork? I tried to get the recipe for this rice salad as I have a ton of rice in the fridge, but the sites wouldn't load!
This is a super shot of the bug- so clear and bright! Settings just right!
April 22nd, 2014  
Great shot, but so sorry to hear the latest on the duck family. Hope they don't lose too many.
April 22nd, 2014  
LOVE THIS. the composition is excellent- the angle is perfect as is the clarity. FAV
April 22nd, 2014  
Pat, an outstanding shot
April 22nd, 2014  
Fabulous focus and POV!
April 22nd, 2014  
What a fantastic macro shot! I love that little ladybug! So sad to hear about the ducklings - I hope the rest survive.
April 22nd, 2014  
nice catch
April 22nd, 2014  
What a neat idea. Great pov. I like it. Well spotted (you could say)
April 22nd, 2014  
Oh no - sad news about the ducks. Your new book 'Half of a Yellow Sun' is supposed to be a good read. I did laugh at your gorgeous photo of a ladybird - looks like she is trying to push over the pole! The shot is really cleverly done.
April 22nd, 2014  
@phil_howcroft @swilde @onewing @jpvona @digitalrn @kwind @tabarlett @bkbinthecity @sabresun @dide

Thank you all do much....must say I feel a bit of a fraud with this shot as all I did was aim my camera onto the garden seat as I was sitting there, no focus just good luck. I was as surprised as anyone when I uploaded it!
April 22nd, 2014  
@happypat I've just read your caption fully. Was bleary eyed this morning and so skipped it mostly. That's sad news about one of the ducks. Those crows! :(
April 22nd, 2014  
@maggiemae you can see all the recipes & how Mary cooks them by googling Mary Berry & going to the BBC link. If you still can't get the recipe I will post it together with a picture of finished product specially for you maggiemae!
April 22nd, 2014  
So sad to hear about the ducklings :(
This is a fabulous shot! and a fav :D
April 22nd, 2014  
Oh very sad story. I would be very upset, but I suppose this happens all the time.
April 22nd, 2014  
Often it is the simple shots that say a 1000 words. This is great 👍
April 23rd, 2014  
Great timing and capture, the caption is just right. Although we know it's nature, it always makes us sad. I keep watching out for the birds in my garden when nearby cat comes though. If you like books on different cultures you may enjoy A Thousand Splendid Suns if you havnt read it. I read the Power of One after you mentioned it. Loved it.
April 24th, 2014  
Great ladybird! Nature can be so cruel....Its hard not to get upset by it...
April 27th, 2014  
@jennywren I know the title of that book Jen but have not read it yet.......am not enjoying Half a Yellow Sun as much as I thought will finish it though ....only half way so it might buck up yet!
April 27th, 2014  
@happypat I was disappointed with Half A Yellow Sun too. The book I mentioned was written by Khaled Hosseini, he wrote The Kite Runner.
April 27th, 2014  
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