Love April Nature Notes

Well it's still a tad cold but the leaves are daring to come into view. They are celebrating Hanami in Japan. It's Cherry Blossom time in my garden, one of the two trees I planted in pots two years ago has been flowering for a couple of weeks.

Meanwhile there is a lot of action with the birds flitting backwards and forwards, nest building and building a relationship. Our resident 'love birds' love the old Pine to roost, snuggle and pass the time of day (its also where the bird feeders hang) but they are now building their nest in the Hawthorne.

I always have a camera close by as I photograph the birds through the window for my garden diary, I use a long lens this means I'm not disturbing them, they are spooked at the slightest movement. On reflection they may be aware there is a Sparrowhawk around.

Sky News has just flashed up on my iPhone that another storm is on the way so nature is going to take another battering at the most crucial time of year. Looks like the Yellow Weather Warnings are for up North so here's hoping we have a sunny rain-free Easter.

Blue skies and sunshine today though, the Bees are buzzing, seen a Sparrow collecting bits for the nest and the Doves have just had a moment.

👀👀👀

North Devon Focus. Watching the changing seasons throughout the year, looking out and photographing events, nature, wildlife and places while walking on the North Devon coast and in the countryside. 
All photos/articles copyright Pat Adams (All Rights Reserved)

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Devon Nursing Home Brings Smiles Through Learning

A recent session at Hatherleigh Nursing Home, based in Okehampton, Devon, brought team members together with a local professional, as Nicole from Torrington Dental Surgery led an informal talk focused on the importance of oral care.

Eight team members from across the home were invited to take part, including Care Assistants, Care Practitioners, House Leads and Registered Nurses. The mix of roles meant the skills and knowledge could be shared back across the households within the home. Nicole, who has previously worked in social care shaped the session around everyday practice. Dentures and toothbrushes were shared around as she talked through practical approaches, alongside the importance of preventative care and recognising early signs of discomfort.

The discussion focused on the small things that affect someone’s comfort every day and taking time to really understand them, such as changes in eating, sensitivity or how someone responds during support. By exploring these moments together, the session offered time to revisit everyday approaches and build confidence in recognising and responding to changes early.

It also reflected the value of multi-disciplinary working within the home, bringing together the knowledge of a dental professional with the day-to-day understanding of team members to further strengthen how oral health supports overall wellbeing.

A spokesperson for Hatherleigh Nursing Home said: “We are incredibly thankful to Nicole for sharing her expertise and supporting our ongoing learning and development. Partnerships like these are so valuable in helping us continue to strengthen the care and support we provide every day.”

Nicole from Torrington Dental Surgery all smiles at Hatherleigh Nursing Home

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If you would like to learn more about Hatherleigh Nursing Home, please visit https://www.hatherleighnursinghome.com/lifes-journey-continued-2/

Spirit Lifting. Blackthorn Blossom & Wood Anemone

Well the weather has not been kind lately, a freezing strong wind yesterday has 'burnt' the newly emerging leaves in the garden, so I've been looking back in my photo archives to sunnier, warmer Spring days. I photographed this beautiful Spring star on this day in 2018. It was the first Wood Anemone flowering in an ancient woodland on a wildflower walk at Hartland Abbey. I focussed on the petals and pretty yellow stamens and I love the bokeh effect in the background.

Behind the scenes, the spirit lifting Blackthorn blossom is appearing now, the photo below was taken in March 2014. No finer sight than Blackthorn flowering in an ancient Devon hedgerow. It's dotted along field margins and you see it in the hedgerows, green lanes, either side of major and minor roads. Unlike Hawthorne it flowers before the leaves. It also appears as white speckles on coastal cliffsides and in ancient woodland. The black fruit (Sloe berries) are used traditionally to make Sloe Gin. It certainly lifts the spirit 😊

Wood Anemone. Photo © Pat Adams North Devon Focus 

Blackthorn Blossom. Photo © Pat Adams North Devon Focus 

Focus Nature Notes: 

Back then I used the following equipment (both great little cameras at the time, easy, no fuss and light perfect for walking or travelling)

Blackthorn - NIKON 1 V1

Wood Anemone - Canon EOS M5

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"The Wood anemone is named after the Greek wind god, Anemos, who sent his namesakes, the anemones, in early spring to herald his coming. This legend gives the flower its other common name of 'Windflower'. " (Woodlandtrust.org)

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North Devon Focus. Watching the changing seasons throughout the year, looking out and photographing events, nature, wildlife and places while walking on the North Devon coast and in the countryside. 
All photos/articles copyright Pat Adams (All Rights Reserved)

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