McGresty
as it happens
High summer stroll
The middle of July brings high summer. All the prior growth has reached fulfillment and will soon begin to diminish as Autumn awaits it's arrival. On such a day I thought it would be a good idea to take a stroll and amble around for a while.
The trail lay ahead surrounded by lush foliage. A gentle breeze was moving the leaves, like they were greeting me as I proceeded down the path. A few birds sang their songs with one or two flying between the trees looking for something to eat. The air in London is very polluted, so there are not a lot of insects in it. Some of the ground cover is weak due to a lack of rain over the last few months. A white butterfly went by, not landing because there was no food to be seen. The Stinging Nettles were thin (good) but I still had to take care.
Little rain means low lakes and this was very obvious as I wandered near one. Some water birds nearby were standing in the water because it was so shallow they could not float. They are eating plants under the water or whatever they can find. The deeper part of the lake has some predators, Terrapins and a very large Carp. Apparently the Carp was around 6-7 feet long and had already eaten one of the Swan Cygnets, smaller birds like Coots were also food for the huge fish.
Looking at the grass I had a vague memory of standing in high grass in South Dakota when I was 7 years old. It was higher than me. My Father had been assigned to an Air Force base there. In the distance a Pheasant appeared for a few seconds. Foxes are everywhere in England, but only at night so none were seen.
The walk continued for a spell and I returned home.
The trail lay ahead surrounded by lush foliage. A gentle breeze was moving the leaves, like they were greeting me as I proceeded down the path. A few birds sang their songs with one or two flying between the trees looking for something to eat. The air in London is very polluted, so there are not a lot of insects in it. Some of the ground cover is weak due to a lack of rain over the last few months. A white butterfly went by, not landing because there was no food to be seen. The Stinging Nettles were thin (good) but I still had to take care.
The water level is about 3-4 feet down from normal.
Little rain means low lakes and this was very obvious as I wandered near one. Some water birds nearby were standing in the water because it was so shallow they could not float. They are eating plants under the water or whatever they can find. The deeper part of the lake has some predators, Terrapins and a very large Carp. Apparently the Carp was around 6-7 feet long and had already eaten one of the Swan Cygnets, smaller birds like Coots were also food for the huge fish.
The grass at it's maximum.
Looking at the grass I had a vague memory of standing in high grass in South Dakota when I was 7 years old. It was higher than me. My Father had been assigned to an Air Force base there. In the distance a Pheasant appeared for a few seconds. Foxes are everywhere in England, but only at night so none were seen.
The walk continued for a spell and I returned home.
Relaxing time.
Sep 01, 2025
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