Photo of the female Dr Dolittle

[Kkimm]

Why are the English so English? I can ask that question as I am English😕

I was in St James Park in central London after a conference yesterday and came across this beautiful scene. A lady was feeding the water birds and squirrels with a small green parrot perched on her arm. It was such a charming scene it appeared to be out of Dr Dolittle or something. I noticed everyone walked by without commenting so I went to talk to her. She had a wealth of information about the park creatures and said she comes to feed them a couple of times a week.

I particularly loved seeing a heron at close quarters. She told me that he always hangs around forever hopeful even though she never has any fish or small mammals or amphibians in her bag😆 She did however have nuts for the squirrels, feed pellets for the water birds and fruit for the parrots. They have become naturalised in the London area having escaped from the film set of African Queen at the Shepperton Studios.

I have decided to embarrass some people, such as my daughter and try to bring a bit more joy into everyone's life by talking to strangers sometimes.

Kim

[Stella180]

That is a great story Kim. Let’s be honest here, the best way to learn anything is to ask questions and that involves talking the people that maybe you wouldn’t normally interact with. I’m a strong believer in how the smallest acts of kindness can have the biggest impact on other people’s lives, and just speaking to that lady and allowing her to share her knowledge with you has benefits for both of you.

[All_alone in reply to Stella180]

Very well said!

[Kkimm in reply to Stella180]

Thanks for your great reply

[Hidden]

What amazing pictures. I am in the UK and occasionally spot somebody feeding animals only to have passers by walk on. I think it is lovely you spoke to her.

[Kkimm in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your lovely reply

[hypercat54]

Oh well done for speaking to this lady and finding out this fascinating story. I talk to strangers all the time, if I didn't some days I barely speak to a soul x

[Kkimm in reply to hypercat54]

Hi

Thanks for your reply. I do too. I actually knew the story about the parrots already and have always loved seeing them in London parks.

Have a good day.

Kim

[JEG325]

Nothing wrong with you talking to strangers, Kim. The pictures are charming too.

That would make a good topic in our writing group's book....

Wouldn't wanna share it, would you?

[Kkimm in reply to JEG325]

Hi

Thanks for your great comments.

I don't know about your writing group's book but would be interested to hear about it.

All the best.

Kim

[JEG325 in reply to Kkimm]

We're a small group of a varying numbers of people from this site who form a writing group.

Anymore I will have to explain on my pm due to my agreement with H/U.....

[Kkimm in reply to JEG325]

Great, I would like to hear about it as I write too.

[JEG325 in reply to Kkimm]

I sent you a message on my pm. There are two projects for the group right now....The book which representing works from H/U, titled, 'Beauty & Art From Within The Shadows' and a purely fun project called, 'Moonlight, Magic & Mystery'....

I sent you a pm. Do you know how to access that?

[JEG325 in reply to Kkimm]

In any event we take submissions all the time. All rights remain with the author/creator no matter how we use the material!

[Mary-intussuception]

Very interesting ! Hadn't heard of this escape.

Lovely photos.

[Kkimm in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Thanks Mary.

Yes it is an interesting story. There are small green parrots or parrokeets to be more accurate all over London and some of the home counties these days. Flocks can be seen at Kew Gardens and I have just started to see them at St James Park in lower numbers.

I do not think anyone can prove that they came from the African Queen film set but it is a possible theory.

They have naturalised well without any major reported issues as far as I am aware and lend a touch of the exotic to London parks. This is particularly so with all the colourful sub tropical foliage in St James Park at present. I did not get this information from my friend in the park by the way, it is something I have researched since becoming aware of the parrots from when I lived in London for a few years.

Regards

Kim

[All_alone]

Kim, what a wonderful post and pictures. Thank you for sharing. I'm glad you stopped to chat with her. I bet that interaction made the day special for both of you. The heron is beautiful. I would be bringing him some fish if that was me. I also didn't know about the parrots which I found interesting.

[Kkimm]

Hi Cindy

Thanks for your lovely reply, it means alot to me. Yes the parrot story is interesting, I said more about it on the reply I have sent to Mary.

I loved the heron too, I noticed that when smaller waders crossed his path too much he would raise his black crest on his head at them in protest.

I think fish could get a bit smelly🤔🤪but I often take nuts to eat as a snack when in London for the day and save some for the squirrels. I find they are easier to photograph if you do not have nuts however as they are so bold now they will climb up your leg to get the nuts I have found. They behaved very well with Dr Dolittle however, she obviously has them well trained.😃

Have a good day

Kim