Singing in the Rain

I try to put up at least one picture a day but it’s tricky in the rain without an underwater camera. And today when we arrived it was coming down with a vengeance.

It held up just enough to take some bedraggled cow parsley against a wet wall. About typical of the morning.


Birds carry on singing irrespective. Today’s Gene Kelly prize goes to the cuckoo who was constantly calling and frequently visible. Over the last few years cuckoos' appearance here has been irregular. About five years ago there was a very poor year and I hardly heard any. This year cuckoos have been around every morning, suggesting two or more pairs. This is probably a sign that other birds the cuckoo needs are doing well. I’m disappointed not to have heard the female call this spring but live in hope. I assume the birds are promiscuous. Fidelity would probably harm its image!