Red Kite

I'd seen what I thought was a clouded yellow butterfly over towards Fairoaks airfield a few weeks back so that was the excuse to walk Pippa that way today. Not a butterfly in sight, but in McLaren Park, behind the racing car factory, they were mowing the fields with a big combine. The notice said mowings were timed for wildlife management but I can't see much conservation value in this. There must have been plenty of dead things in the stubble as a flock of crows and three red kites were hovering over the scene. You wouldn't have seen a red kite here 20 years ago, not even five years ago, but they're starting be seen in the area now. This one was a way off and I couldn't take Pip too near the harvesters. I'm surprised it's come up as well as it has.

I've been reading the new promotional blip blog. A bit of a mixed message as far as I can see. I agree with the comments about too many people taking pictures and phone messaging rather than enjoying the moments that matter in life. But what the hell are we doing but taking pictures? Ah, but only one a day, says blip central. Yeah, right. A bit of pot calling kettle methinks.

I see it's a year since I was sailing on Maltese Falcon. Happy memories.