Monday Mirth

Sunday Scenes

Sunday Scenes today features a couple of shots taken in Norway

Just look at that cloud!

Love in the Garden

Aaah love in the garden. I should have video'd these woodpigeons and might have done if I had time. Couldn't even go outside to photograph the love birds. Along the wall they went, billing and cooing, then settled down for a bit of necking. 

He dared to get closer

but by then she'd had enough and walked away

The pictures were taken before the rains came. And now we've a severe storm heading our way I guess the birds will be sheltering in the trees instead of prancing up and down my wall.

It's great to watch the birds courting and I'm looking forward to seeing the dunnocks 'at it'. They come every year, to the same spot on the patio, only they 'do it' on the floor. They don't seem to mind that I watch their every move. 

According to old theories dunnocks are shy birds, or they were before they cottoned on to the fact that shy birds miss out at feeding time. No longer do they eat the food cast out of a feeder by coal tits and others, the ground being a sort of poor man's table. Instead they come in pairs to get in first, one eating and the other on guard watching out for possible intrusions. My lot are boisterous and greedy, one of them even had the nerve to challenge a bossy robin who thought he had sole rights to the food on offer that day.

Let me tell you about their sex lives. I know I shouldn't gossip but, hey, I don't think anyone will tell on me. I am what they call a voyeur and I don't hide the fact from the dunnocks. The following event isn't a one off, it has happened outside two of my houses over several years.

For some reason dunnocks like to have sex near the house, always in a corner by the patio window near the wall (see above). Forgetting that humans occasionally like to watch a little sex the dunnocks go at it like frenzied ... erm ... birds. I've never seen other birds getting down to it but I imagine they all adopt the same method.

First time I saw it, I thought the male was attacking his mate with his beak, repeatedly jabbing it at her rear while she shivered with ecstasy. Thinking she needed saving I was all for going outside to shoo them off but then I saw Mr D lift his wings and jump at his missus, one quick jab with whatever it is he uses to fertilise, and then fly off. That was it, all over, quick as a flash! Only then did I realise that all that stabbing was foreplay. Oh boy, I'd hate to be a bird ... Hmm all that jabbing...

Book Review

Harlan Coben, another best selling, crime writing American author who has become one of my firm favourites. A former series starring the imposing creation by the name of Myron Bolitar was enjoyable but I find his stand-alone books much more so. The Woods was a particular favourite and this one, The Innocent, has joined a rank position.

The main character, Matt Hunter, once served a four year prison sentence after a fight ended with his opponent cracking his skull but he manages to live a respectable life with a good job and a lovely wife. But things start to go wrong when he receives a photo on his camera phone that is destined to change his life. Everything he has worked for is threatened and he suddenly cannot trust anyone, least of all his loved ones. 

The Innocent is loaded with tension which demands that the reader keeps reading. The scene shifting is fluent, the characters utterly believable, and the thickening plot only unravelled at the very end.

~~~

Daily Express quoted Harlan Coben as being ‘One of the most sheerly entertaining and accomplished writers in the genre.’

The Daily Telegraph says ‘Harlan Coben has made his intention clear: he wants to fool his readers. And he makes a good job of doing so in The Innocent. The enjoyable intricate plot takes several turns before we are fooled for the last time and the villains and motive are revealed. A book to read in one gulp!’

The Times says ’Coben’s electrifying New Jersey based thriller plays games with notions of innocence and guilt. Adding to the enjoyment of this slickly crafted tale is the sharpness of the dialogue and the satisfying realism of the descriptive writing.’