We had a good day yesterday. The highlight was sitting in the new kitchen and looking out of the window to see the birdlife. A cormorant flying over to the local lakes. I’m tempted to try putting sardines in the bird feeders, but cormorants aren’t well known for visiting bird tables. I may try leaving some paper bags out. You never know, it might tempt them down.
Now, at this point many of you will be perplexed. All will be revealed if you follow the link. Others out there, who are familiar with the poem, might wonder why a well-respected author (except by Evelyn Waugh) should descend to this level of doggerel, particularly as the cormorant and shag are related, though not the same bird.
Waugh wasn’t a fan of Isherwood. Having put his affairs in order in 1939 and made sure that his family would be financially secure in the event of his death, Waugh went to war. Isherwood and Auden went to America. Waugh was critical of their decision but I can’t quote it because I (a) can’t remember it and (b) he used a word that modern readers would find upsetting. He also mocked them as the poets Parsnip and Pimpernel “bravely opposing fascism from New York” in Put Out More Flags.
Red Kite
Waugh is a bit like Roald Dahl in many ways – brilliant but unpleasant. Their views may be dated and repellent to today’s sensibilities, but when it was necessary. I feel a quote from Kipling coming on, but will resist.
However, I digress.
As we chatted and marvelled that we had just seen a cormorant from the kitchen window, another shape wheeled above us. large bird, soaring in the sky, pronounced elbows in the way it held its wings and a V notched into the end of its tail. Red Kite! I’ve seen them over Peterborough, but this was right over my new garden.
It was a very cheering sight.
Red Kites in Wales – feeding time
Always something to learn here, Simon. Thank you for all the links!
Sardines in a bird feeder here might attract jays and crows.
Magpies and crows here – plenty of them. Yes, probably not my best idea. 🙂
Those kites are beautiful! Glad they have made a comeback. The move sounds really good, after all the sorting is done.
I have to admit I struggle with the racism of writers in the early 1900s. Seems to have come to a stop after World War II. No doubt the war was a sobering experience, an object lesson as to where such racism could lead.
I remember reading The Saint books in the 1960s and 70s – I was shocked by the depiction of foreigners, and very surprised to find thay Leslie Charteris was actually half Chinese. A Chinaman being racist about Mediterranean types was quite perplexing. He was the subject of an Act of Congress – until then he had been excluded from permanent residence in the USA by the Chinese Exclusion Act. Different times . . . 🙂
Yes, different times. Wish they were gone for good. Unfortunately in this country it keeps bubbling back to the surface. What a toxic brew!
I wonder if we will ever get it right?
I hadn’t known about Waugh’s stance on Isherwood and Auden. Good news about the kites
Yes, kites are good. I’m sure Waugh wouldn’t have liked me, but I like his writing and admire the way he approached the war. Reminds me of what the grandfather of one of my friends told his family in 1939 (he was a career Naval officer). He sais he would be busy for the duration and wouldn’t have time to write home. If theer was anything important they needed to know, he said, the Admiralty would tell them. Very practical man. 🙂
He was, indeed
The red kites are wonderful. I see them when I visit my brother in law in Marlow. I like the idea of putting sardines on your bird feeder.
There are some impressive kite populations round Britain now. A great success story, but still persecuted by gamekeepers when they get a chance.
How exciting to explore new surroundings – especially the kite.
Yes. Up till now I have been worrying about the move, now I am quitee xcited by the idea.
Enjoy the whole world that surrounds you. But a rough address so I can look it up on Google maps.
This is a few hundred yards away.
https://tinyurl.com/bkn939nb
We are also close to the Nene valley Railway.
Thanks for the link. Delightful.
🙂 No worries.