Snowdrops 2014

In early February, the snowdrops in the garden started to come out and made a welcome sight amongst all the rain.
Most are the common the galanthus nivalis, but there are  a few more unusual varieties donated by friends and family, including this 'curly':
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More impressive displays can be found locally and it is one of the highlights of late winter is a walk through large groups of snowdrops,  such as those found near by at Kingston Bagpuize House (http://www.kingstonbagpuizehouse.com/kingston-bagpuize-gardens.asp):
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As well as some impressive snowdrop woods, it also has some unusual varieties, including this Galanthus elwesii named Marlie Raphael, the former owner.
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Perhaps lacking the varieties, Welford Park (http://www.welfordpark.co.uk/snowdrops.html) near Newbury is probably the most impressive sight  for snowdrops in the area, where the woods consist of millions of snowdrops:
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Return to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History

After 14 months the University of Oxford Museum of Natural History has reopened it's doors.  During that time the splendid gothic roof has been repaired and for the first time since it was opened in 1860 it has not leaked.
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As always the cast of the Tyrannosaurus Rex makes an impressive centre piece.
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It takes something special to outclass a dinosaur and on the opening Saturday it was by the opportunity handle some live exhibits, including this Pervian bird eating spider:
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But even this was outclassed by a remarkable Leaf Insect:
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Now it has reopened, there will be many opportunities to enjoy the museum, including an new exhibition on Wytham Woods and what looks like a rearranged Dinosaur collection.

And as there is now a cafe in the top gallery there is no need to leave to get a cup of tea and cake.

The museum now has a twitter account: https://twitter.com/morethanadodo

And a new blog: http://morethanadodo.com/

Seven Days Later

A week after the river was threatening local houses and despite very heavy rain, it has now dropped to more normal levels.
And what once looked like large lakes have been reduced to puddles.
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Although the strong winds have bought down several trees, including this one on the old canal.
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But the inclement weather does not seem to deter the otters with more otter spraints in different locations.
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Elsewhere along the river, it seems rodents have been reduced to gnawing branches. As there aren't usually squirrels at this part of the river it adds to the circumstantial evidence that the water voles have moved away the river for the time being.
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More Rain!!!

On the morning of Saturday 8th Feburary, the seemingly never ending rain had caused the river to once burst it's banks, this time it seems higher than a couple of weeks:
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The Ladgygrove Meadow is also now under water:
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At the moment it looks like some of the water voles may have moved to slightly higher ground:
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As always, there is someone looking to make the most of any displaced creatures.
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