On 27 September six TWASI members arrived at the Living Rainforest situated near Newbury, a very scenic part of Berkshire .
Operated by the Trust for Sustainable Living, the centre looked like a fascinating place to explore.
There are two greenhouses; housing a collection of over 700 tropical rainforest plants including orchids and insect-eating varieties.
The variety was brilliant and a great place to study plant life.
The rainforest centre is a fascinating place to explore, the more you looked, the more you found: peeking though the leaves reveals tropical birds roaming free, terrapins out basking and the occasional butterfly fluttering past.
The ducks were very entertaining as they squabbled to climb onto one of many giant water lily pads. The centre also houses a dwarf crocodile, toucan, very cute Goeldi's monkey, bird-eating spider, python, tortoise and various lizards.
We all spent the morning sketching and taking photos and later regrouped for lunch in the café. As it was a hot sunny day we sat outside on the patio surrounded by their very pleasant gardens. The centre is manageable in half a day. It and certainly well worth returning to, to see the change in the plants as the seasons change and discover something that was missed on your
previous visit.
TWASI visit to Bradgate Park October 2009
We arrived before dawn at Bradgate Park on Sunday 18th October hoping to see deer in full cry (or roar!)
We weren't disappointed.
The Park is an amazing place, very near Leicester, and is 850acres. It was created before 1288, the remains of the ancestral home of lady Jane Grey are still to be seen. I was told later that her ghost can still be seen driving through the park in a coach and horses !
Even in the half light, Leslie and I were thrilled to see a young Fallow doe, and that was only the beginning.
We soon met up with the rest of the party, Sarais, Barbara and Chris Saunderson, Lesley and Kevin Connelly, Joy Roberts and husband. Pauline was there but didn't find her until the smell of coffee brought her out!
Our friends told us that the light was better last year, there were more deer last year but we were thrilled anyway.
The Red deer were more in evidence
at first, young stags trying it on with established leaders, much roaring and rivalry but no major tiffs whilst we were there. We then saw more Fallow deer,The bucks were very elegant, I felt.
The sun didn't appear till we were about to leave the Park but in time to get a few sunny pics.As the humans started to appear, we adjourned to the nearby cafe` for coffee and cake and it was still only 10 a m.!
Thanks to Sarais for arranging it.
TWASI visit to Dudley Zoo July 2009
After a brief introduction, Lesley, Kevin, Shane, Pauline, Sarais, Neil and myself made our way inside the zoo. We split into small groups and wandered off in different directions, but were all destined to meet again very soon…
On entering the Zoo you can't help but notice the beautiful Flamingos - a good photo opportunity on a sunny day. Our group continued past the Spider Monkeys, various aviaries of birds including Grey and Snowy Owls, and onto the Tiger and Snow Leopards. The cats were inactive as the day was warming up so we continued up the path encountering Giraffe, Lynx, Tapir, Mongoose, Barbary Sheep, to mention just a few.
The path lead to Lemur Wood which turned into one of the highlights of our visit. By late morning all the TWASI members were drawn to this place like a magnet, having discovered an excellent opportunity to sketch such interesting and obliging subjects at close range. The sketching was occasionally interrupted by a curious Lemur leaping onto the fence in front of us, trying to catch a glimpse of the artwork, or an outsider from a neighbouring group disturbing the peace and quiet.
It was hard to break away for lunch but thirst and hunger got the better of us so we headed for the café and an outside bench to chat about the morning's activities.
After lunch we watched the Sea lions cooling off in the water and then discovered the Reptiles and Meerkats, near the Castle. Mum was just inside the burrow caring for 2 youngsters to the delight of the patient photographers. The Lookout kept a sharp eye on us. The Reptile House gave me the chance to use my small compact camera to get some close up shots that I would have missed with my SLR and long lens.
As expected the zoo gave educational talks throughout the day at various enclosures which included information on the anatomy of the various species as well as important conservation news. Penguins are always a favourite with the visitors and seem to burst into life when feeding time arrives. The breeding birds and younger chicks could be seen towards the back of the enclosure while the more adventurous birds were porpoising through the water.
On a warm day it is worth returning to the enclosures late afternoon. We caught a glimpse of the Sumatran Tigress Sarah stalking a bird….fortunately for the bird she missed, before disappearing back into obscurity.
A day at Dudley in not enough to spend quality time with all the creatures here and although the Lemurs won our hearts, there is so much that would inspire me to return.
