Flora and Fauna - Plants and Critters: November 2012

Friday, 23 November 2012

Forest and Uccle in Spring PART 4

Forest and Uccle in Spring PART 4

This is a continuation of Forest and Uccle Communes in Spring. These are some photos I took in July of some of the Traffic Islands on Chausse d'Alsemberg and Avenue Des Sept Bonniers.

ENJOY!

As I mentioned in previous posts these were the result of a project by an association who wished to encourage people living in the neighbourhood to participate in the growing of flowers in the various areas such as traffic islands, squares where trees were growing and other places.

As you can see the project was very successful. Hopefully it continues. But then since they used selfseeding prairie flowers I think that it should.

Below you can see one of the trees that a resident planted flowers in. I am not sure what kind they are but they grow quite tall as you can see. I have seen yellow ones also. These were not part of the beautification project and were bought and planted by the individual who probably lives there. Not everyone needs an incentive to plant flowers to make their neighbourhood look nice. In fact if you have been reading my blog you will probably have noticed that.

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Abbey de la camber Part4

Abbey de la Cambre Part 4

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Wednesday, 21 November 2012

Flowers in the City Heart

Flowers in the City Heart

As I have said before; if you keep your eyes open and are aware of your surroundings you will be surprised at how much greenery and flowers you will find in the oddest places.

Sometimes this means looking UP as people are fond of potted plants which they put out on their balconies or window ledges.

This was on the main road in Central Brussels between Debroucker and the Bourse. I just happened to look up as I was actually strolling along looking for examples of various styles of facades to photographs. Mostly they were Art Nouveau but then I spotted these flower pots with the amazing trumpet flowers.

Using the zoom I was able to get an even better appreciation of them. I wonder how many people walked past these beauties on that busy street without even noticing the stunning display several meters above their heads.

Tuesday, 20 November 2012

Hidden Gardens in the Heart of Brussels: Tillens Block Part 4

Tillens Block Part 4

Yes it is just a block of land used primarily for residents to grow their own vegetables and aside from the cherry blossoms and hawthorn bushes it is pretty devoid of floral attractions. But that is only if you ignore the varrious grasses that flower around the place. As they say "beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

You have to not only know where to look but be open and aware of your surroundings.

That said, there is one BIG reason to visit Tillens Block in Spring. The Magnolia blossoms.

This magnificent tree is actually in a yard along the lane that goes into Tillens Block. There is a tall wooden privacy fence but the tree is big enough that you can admire and feast your eyes on the glorious display to your heart's content.

I am sure that any passers or neighbours living in the lane would understand and not call the police if you linger there for a while until you have taken as much of this stunning view as you can.

As you can see the tree is positively covered with Magnolia blossoms.

I actually went back several times to look at it first when it was in covered in flower buds and then to see the flowers.

Thursday, 15 November 2012

China Guizhou Province Part 4

Hidden Gardens in the Heart of Brussels: Tillens Block Part 3

Tillens Block

This is a view of the other entrance to Tillens Block

I'm not sure but I think these are Hawthorn bushes flowering.

Saturday, 10 November 2012

Hidden Gardens in the Heart of Brussels Part 2

Tillens Block Part 2

I visited Tillens Block several times throughout the year and during one visit in Spring I was in time to photograph some of the trees flowering.

I am not 100% sure but I think they are Cherry Blossoms

Tucked away in a corner behind a small picket fence are some Beehives. Apparently there are numerous locations throughout the city where people keep bees. While it may seem strange to keep bees in the heart of a big city once you realise that Brussles is in fact quite a green city with great pockets of green spaces not to mention all the gardens and flowers all over the place and the huges tracts of forest the popularity of apiculture is not surprising.

Again for a city Brussels has an abundance of birds. Most people will probably notice the huge crows especially in winter as well as the ever present pigeons. But there are lots more to see and hear if you take the time to extend your awareness. It is quite normal to see nests in the trees lining the streets and some places you can hear them singing. On several occassions at night along one street I have heard what can only have been a nightingale or some other night song bird. It had an increadibly pure voice that sounded even more liquid and magical in the moonlight.

These little cheeky guys were busy flitting back and forth chattering away in Tillens Square. They seemed to enjoy teasing me while I tried to photograph them. They would wait until I had just about gotten them in focus and then they would all fly away to came back not too far away and wait again. Finally I managed to get a few decent shots of them.

Wednesday, 7 November 2012

Roadside Flowers in Antwerp, Belgium

Roadside Flowers in Antwerp

I visited Antwerp in August 2012 taking the train from Brussles and took some pictures of the Cathedral and some other interesting buildings. On my way back I took what I though was a shortcut and got lost. Well actually I was not lost because I soon found where I was once I looked at my map.

I have this habit of trying to take short cuts and end up miles from where I want to be because unlike cities like Adelaide which are set out in a nice simple grid places like Antwerp and Brussels, indeed probably most European cities are not set out in nice grids. The thing is because I had wandered far of course I ended up seeing some interesting places and things among them a few squares full of amazingly vibrant flowers.