Six (Brief) Things…

… from the weekend

Thing 1 – Bees

I have recently become obsessed with slow motion filming. It happens every year around this time, when the bees come out and offer themselves up to the camera with pleasing regularity.

---

Thing 2 – Wagtail

To Lord’s, for the first day of Test cricket of the summer.

A Test match at Lord’s is always a bit special. There’s the low hum, the impeccable dress sense of the members, and of course the cricket.

But there are also pied wagtails.

Pied wagtails are perky little birds, with a wind-up toy walking action and (unsurprisingly, given their name) an active tail. We have a few knocking about the place in West Norwood, and it’s always a pleasure to encounter one, whether it’s bouncing over my head with its crisp ‘chi-zick’ call (they’re known to birders as ‘Chiswick flyover’), or hanging around on the pavement outside Greggs.

They’re pretty tolerant of close contact with humans – I saw one on Platform 15 at Clapham Junction the other day, darting to and fro between the feet of passengers sitting on a bench waiting for the 19.28. And – famously, to those who know – they often hang around on the outfield at Lord’s.

On Thursday it took until 6.10 for one to appear. So nearly a huge disappointment. Please enjoy this excellent photograph, from which you will no doubt be able to see all the identifying features with startling clarity.

---

Thing 3 – Flying squirrel

I really don’t know what to make of this, but it did make me laugh quite a lot.

---

Thing 4 – Peony

Some flowers unfurl gradually. Peonies are not like that. They’re all no no no no no no no no no no no maybe maybe YEEEESSSSSSS HELLO HERE I AM BEBEEHH.

This one has reached that final stage.

---

Thing 5 – Tom and Jerry

Seven minutes of instant antidote.

---

Thing 6 – Emoji

Tired of the lack of variety in your emoji? Looking for something to do to avoid the impending week? Try the emoji kitchen, where you can mix emojis of your choice.

I made a Pride owl.

---