Barleycorn Photo Blog

Tuesday 17 June 2008

Chameleon-Like Quality Of The Tulips At Barleycorn

Tulipa Black Parrot

Tulipa Green Wave Parrot

Tulipa Pink Wave Parrot

Tulipa Carnival de Nice Peony Flowered

Tulipa Black Parrot

Tulipa Esperanto Viridiflora

Tulipa Texas Gold Parrot

Tulipa Green Wave Parrot
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I thought that those of you who read Tantalising Tulips At Barleycorn and were infected with tulipmania, might be interested to see the colour changes in the tulips as they matured to full bloom. Black Parrot, which began life as a glaucous green with a hint of purple frill, grew into an amazing shade of blackish-purple with a deep blue centre. Green Wave, entirely green initially, with petals the same colour as the stem, transformed itself into vibrant yellow with viridian green stripes. Similiarly, with Pink Wave, which developed into a large frill of three colours, of mid-green, pale pink and deep pink around the frill. Texas Gold in its early stages was a very insignificant green with a whitish frill, which later changed to a sumptuous golden yellow with a frill of red lipstick. The pale red, green, white and purple of Esperanto deepened in intensity as it matured.

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If you click here it will take you to my main blog where I write the story of the garden.

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If you click here you can view my latest silk paintings.

Thursday 15 May 2008

A Plethora Of Primula At Barleycorn

Click here to view out Tantalising Tulips At Barleycorn on my main blog.

Monday 4 February 2008

An Unexpected Visitor

A few weeks ago, I heard our cat Monster looking out of the back door growling at a strange animal. I knew it wasn't one of the stray cats as he is used to them coming and going. As I looked out I discovered a ferret on the back doorstep eating cat food I'd put there to supplement the stray cats' diets during the colder days.

After a few moments he ventured into the kitchen to quench his thirst.

With his excellent sense of smell he detected a scrap of meat which one of the cats had dropped.

The fruit basket was next on the agenda as he decided to explore other strange smells.

Gradually I persuaded him to investigate the cat carrier, and once he was safely ensconced, I returned him to his owners who were delighted he had been found...and proceeded to mend the hole in his cage through which he had escaped in order to have his little adventure.

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Click here to read about Nature's Minstrels in the main blog.

Thursday 17 January 2008

How to Keep Warm In Winter

Did you know that cats wear two layers?

They have a layer of soft wool close to their skin for warmth.

They also have a top layer of coarse hair to keep out the wet.

Some cats, such as snow leopards, even wear snow shoes. During the winter they grow thick fur on their feet to broaden them and prevent them from sinking in the snow.

In winter, Siberian tigers grow thick shaggy coats of fur.