The Woodland Garden (Monday 22nd March 2021)

I was coaxed into the garden by a bit of sun this afternoon and did a bit of weeding, mostly of dead stalks from last year's wildflowers, not of the couch grass in this shot of these newly appeared starry flowers. They are Lucile's Glory Of The Snow flowers (Chionodoxa luciliae 'Alba')

I just learned today that the cob swan that I blipped on Monday had been newly widowed two days earlier, when Alfreda, his partner, had been shot in front of him with an air rifle by a person unknown, higher up the canal near Bincknoll Lane. Apart from being deeply angered by this mindless cruelty I was even more impressed by the swan's benevolent and friendly attitude towards me.

L.
22.3.2021 (1854 hr)

Blip #3387 (#3137 + 250 archived blips taken 27.8.1960-18.3.2010)
Consecutive Blip #002
Blips/Extras In 2021 #043/266 + #021/100 Extras
Day #4015 (882 gaps from 26.3.2010)
LOTD #2531 (#2372 + 159 in archived blips)

Old Forge series
Flora series
Spring series
Woodland Garden

Taken with Panasonic/Leica DMC-LX100 M4/3 compact

Woodland Garden (March 2021) (Flickr album)(Work in progress)

Anger after swan is shot and killed while nesting
By  Hedi Mehrez

The killing of a nesting swan in the canal at Royal Wootton Bassett has shocked and angered the community.
The female and her mate were popular with local people who often used to take pictures of them at their favourite spot near Bincknoll Lane.
But the pen, called Alfreda by camera club member Stuart Thomsett, who visited them regularly, was found shot dead on Saturday.
Police believe an air rifle was used.
Now the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust has offered a £1,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of the perpetrator.
Stuart said: “It was awful, she was left there dead, someone told me she had two wounds on her back. There were so many people about on Saturday that somebody probably saw something.”
The former teacher said he loved taking pictures of the birds and posting them on the camera club page. But he had started to worry because more and more people had got to know their location.
“I am pretty sure this is the second year they’ve been there. I’ve always seen them together. They paired up for life.”
“It was so nice to go there and see those two. I will still go there but I hope we’ll find who did it,”
One local told the Adver: “The even sadder part of this story is the swan’s partner witnessed everything and is now distraught as swans find a partner and stay together for life. The whole community is in shock and devastated that someone could do something so cruel.”
On the town’s social media pages people reacted angrily to news of the shooting.
“So cruel. these Swans are beautiful and bond for life. Let’s hope the person/persons who did this are brought to book. What goes around comes around,” said one.
Another added: “I walk this way regularly and love seeing these beautiful swans, so defenceless ! Absolute disgusting! What’s wrong with some people!”
Wiltshire Police are investigating and asking anyone with information to call 101. A spokesman said: “The dead swan was removed from the canal and has been removed by a local animal sanctuary. We would like to hear from anyone who may have been in the area at the time who may have seen someone with an air rifle.”

Lozarhythm Of The Day:
Little Richard - Lucille (recorded 30 July 1956, Cosima Studios, New Orleans LA)
To tie in with Lucile's Glory Of The Snow, a Little Richard classic, co-written with Albert Collins and with a tenor sax break from Lee Allen.

One Year Ago:
The Old Forge