Summer

Even in the city, sometimes a swing can bring out the country. 

Holland Park

When in London last month, my mother and I explored many sites, including Holland Park on the suggestion from News from Nowhere.

We were delighted by the gardens, the peacocks, the perfectly dilapidated estate, but mostly the Nature Play Area.  Both of us are firm believers in letting kids play in wild areas, and have discussed this often in the context of Last Child in the Woods, a book my grandmother encouraged us each to read. 

Set apart from the bustling streets of London, this section of the park could easily cure a case of Nature Deficit Disorder.  Unfortunately we couldn't enter, as the sign at the entrance says "No adults unless accompanied by children."  I suppose we could have loosely translated that and entered, as I am the child of my mother, but we didn't test it.

Crow at play

I realize that videos of animals are a slippery slope (pun not intended at first, but I like it so it stays), but I promise no kitten videos will be appearing.

This is so fascinating -- is this bird 'playing'?  Crows are known to use tools to get food, and are some of the smartest birds.  Is it just Russian birds that sled?

Whatever the scientific story is here, the simple story makes me smile.

Found via Gizmodo.

Faces in the trees

(one is never truly alone in the woods)