HYDE PARK

Been tailing this duck because it dips its head underwater 

leaving the bum sticking out, very funny. 

Unfortunately, haven’t captured it on camera. 

It has done that about 3 times but the camera 

nor the operator is fast enough lol. 

Would have been nice. 

The water in Serpentine Lake is noticeably clearer 

during the community wide quarantine. 

No tourists boating on the lake so the waters have time to be still 

apart from just the waterfowl stirring it a bit. 

Beautiful Magnolias in bloom! Sweet…

ROSE GARDEN HYDE PARK

This is your view standing as an average human being. 

It is beautiful, but if you stoop down or kneel to take the stance of the flowers, 

you shall soon realise that the world looks like a better place. 

Perhaps, alot of things is just a matter of perspective. 

We are seeing things in just our everyday perspective.

 If we explore more ways to see the world differently, 

or to live just a bit more differently compared to our boring routines, 

maybe we might be as bright and colourful as the flowers. 

And perhaps we can start being an inspiration to some. 

Alot of people we’ve come across are just as hard as stone, 

as craggy as a rock, as sour as a vinegar, and so ugly in their manners. 

We know it is a tough world. 

Learn to live with the seasons of life, 

you shall soon be in full bloom, 

just like these flowers are now. 

Bless your heart.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

From Hyde Park Corner, 

you can cross the road or take the pedestrian subway to reach the Arch of Wellington. 

Only problem with the subway is its a bit dirty, it looks like its not well-looked after. Sad. 

The trees take longer to show signs of Spring Awakening. 

The flowers are already in bloom but some of these trees 

won’t show their full glory until Christmastime. 

Some of them have fruits that look like Christmas baubles. 

Don’t judge anyone or anything, they all have their own seasons. 

Massive respect for the design and wisdom of nature…

This avenue of trees is in Green Park, just about hugging Buckingham Palace. 

Buckingham Palace stands regal whether it has an audience or not. 

The front is usually packed with tourists taking photos and selfies. 

Today – referring to the timestamp on the photo, 

it looks deserted due to the Social Distancing imposed 

as a safety measure against the COVID19 threat. 

This beautiful black & golden gate leads to Green Park.

 As to what it symbolises I haven’t researched on that. 

You can enter Green Park at lots of access points, not through the gate lol. 

It’s maybe there only for aesthetics. 

A close-up view of the gate lock. 

A very Royal entrance indeed. 

Reminds me of the book from childhood – 

The Lady and the bird, something like that. 

That kind of key was embedded in my mind, 

the simple design with a long slender barrel. 

Treasures of Antiquity, 

perhaps England appeals to a lot of people because it is living history. 

The thing about English parks is that no matter how basic or simple it is, 

everything is well-curated and well-thought. 

Quality over quantity speaks for itself in a lot of ways. 

It reminds me of the beautiful quote from Bishop TD Jakes-

‘ Quality Takes Time and You Are God’s Masterpiece’. 

ST. JAMES’ PARK

CHERRY BLOSSOMS

This photo says it all. 

The Beauty of Life is perhaps in its impermanence and fragility. 

Life, like the cherry blossoms, is such a fleeting thing. 

Its beauty is captured with each passing season. 

One season you are in full bloom, 

but never to forget that with each blue sky and fine weather day,

 it will soon be juxtaposed with the harshest winter season once again. 

To be forever down is madness. 

To be forever conditionally happy as long as the weather is fine 

is also a recipe for disaster. 

Life is Yin & Yang. Be Zen. 

Be joyful and grateful for whatever the seasons bring you. 

For if you have done your utmost best for each passing season,

 you shall live life without any regrets. 

What a delicate beauty. 

A WALK IN THE PARK

Would you agree that even the birds love the sun? 

The small withe flowers look like they are rejoicing about the glorious weather too.

Sorry for being so obsessed with the beautiful weather, 

it’s a very British obsession as you would have known by now lol. 

This is the view from the footbridge that spans the middle of the lake. 

You can see London Eye rising in the background. 

London Eye is just a short walk from St. James’Park. 

ST. JAMES’ PARK LAKE, DUCK ISLAND & 

DUCK ISLAND COTTAGE

Transcription:

WELCOME TO ST. JAMES’S PARK LAKE

THE AMBASSADORS PELICANS

Pelicans were first introduced to St. James’s Park 

in 1664 as a gift from the Russian Ambassador. 

This was the start of a long royal tradition 

for collecting exotic and unusual wildfowl. 

Today over 30 species of waterfowl still breed 

on the lake including mallard, goldeneye, tufted duck, shelduck, and wigeon. 

A ROYAL MENAGERIE

What’s the link between a crocodile, 

five camels, a ‘red wine loving’ elephant and a pelican? 

They have all inhabited St. James’s Park. 

Don’t worry, the real crocodile and elephant were only here 

in the 17th century when they were a gift from the King of Spain to James II. 

DUCK KEEPER’S COTTAGE c. 1900

Writing in 1664 the famous diarist John Evelyn 

records a strange sight (amongst many) in St. James’s Park. 

He saw a Balearian crane with a wooden leg 

with a joint made for the bird by a soldier. 

He noticed that the crane could ‘walk and use it 

as well as if it had been natural’. 

He also speaks with interest of a clean goose, 

a stork, a milk-white raven and many other beasts and birds. 

A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE AND LIGHTS

In 1749, George II staged a huge firework and musical celebration here. 

Handel composed the music, which was performed with 40 trumpets, 

20 French horns and 100 cannon! 

During the event, fireworks went off prematurely sending the guests running for cover. 

Now over 5.5 million annual visitors go to St. James’s Park 

can appreciate a safer, quieter, but nonetheless spectacular show 

in the form of The Tiffany Fountain. 

The fountain can reach eight metres high, 

thanks to the pump which recycles a bath-full of water every 24 seconds!

HELP FROM ACROSS THE POND!

The Tiffany Fountain (opened in 2011) 

was made possible thanks to a generous donation 

from The Tiffany & Co. Foundation in New York. 

It is  part of a wider programme, 

Tiffany- Across the Water, 

which focuses on restoring and reviving water features 

across London’s eight royal parks. 

THE LIGHT FANTASTIC

Adjustable LED light is the base of The Tiffany Fountain 

create a magical night time display fit for a Queen 

quite literally as the fountain aligns perfectly 

with the balcony of the Buckingham Palace. 

THE TIFFANY & CO FOUNDATION

www.tiffanyandcofoundation.org 

THE ROYAL PARKS FOUNDATION

www.SupportTheRoyalParks.org

Registered Charity no. 1097545

Duck Island is a welcome breeding ground 

and resting ground for the fowl population of St. James Park. 

Here they can go undisturbed by the many eager visitors of St. James Park. 

WATERFOWL OF ST. JAMES’ PARK

What a magical colour. 

The pigeons have this sort of colour too. 

Perhaps you have to be magical to be selected for a fairytale place like this lol. 

WHITE HALLS SURROUNDING ST. JAMES PARK

Most of the buildings surrounding St. James Park are National Government Offices. 

If you pass through one of these walkways, 

you will emerge through to Whitehall. 

The most popular office there is no other than the occupier of 10 Downing Street. 

SQUIRREL TALES

Squirrels in St. James Park are very friendly. 

They are so used to visitors (saying human beings might not be entirely accurate lol).    

A man was giving this little cutie some peanuts and then

 he captures a photo of it up-close. 

He saw we were interested in taking a snap of this little fella 

and so he gave us some peanuts too– 

for the squirrel to munch on lol. 

Thanks for your generosity Mr. visitor.