Friday, October 8, 2010

Sanctuary | 7000 miles from home

{The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) Centre, London}
Can you believe this lovely wildlife sanctuary is in busy London?

{Nene in Hawaii (left) and in London's WWT sanctuary (right)}
It was at the sanctuary, one previous grey London winter, that I spotted Nene birds -- Hawaii's native, endangered state bird. As a Hawaii expat, I was initially confused (Wait, what? Where am I?)

{Turns out the sanctuary's founder, Sir Peter Scott, led efforts in 1950s England to save the Nene from extinction.}
 The WWT Centre in London is a vast sanctuary by the River Thames - a lush outdoor world right in urban London.
~ Enjoy your weekend, whether you're indoors or out! ~

P.S. Thanks for all the wonderful comments yesterday - I loved hearing about your childhood comfort food & stories! :)

42 comments:

Rowena said...

WHAT? Nene geese in London? That is just the coolest thing to hear, and those photos...what a fab place! (it's what I need right now with all the color - pretty much a yucky gray today).

K and S said...

sounds like a really cool place to veg.

Nicki said...

Oh my goodness! These photos are just SO beautiful. Jude, dear, how do you find all these wonderful travel spots!? I know who I'm coming to when I'm in desperate need of a vacation!

jeanette from everton terrace said...

What? I've had so many trips to London and never even heard of this place. Last weekend I was in NY and we took a walk through central park and I realized how important it is to have places like that in such congested and busy cities. I hope I can visit these wetlands on my next trip. Those last 3 photos are beautiful.

Brandi said...

In London? Like right there? What a gem of a place! (And what a bird too.) It looks like the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

And I've been meaning to ask: Do you live in NJ? I saw this list of places in Princeton you've been. I used to work in Princeton, and when I'm not in San Diego, I'm in NJ, not far from there.

Justine said...

what lovely photographs and I had no idea this was in London - oops!

Signe said...

This looks like such a gem and so funny that you found birds from Hawaii there!
Have a great weekend :)

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

Another beautiful post, Jude. The colors are so vibrant and cheerful!
Enjoy your weekend too, I'm expecting to be outside lots and lots xxxx

Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird said...

Wow what beautiful pictures, the colors are amazing!

Stacey said...

Such breathtaking pictures! I am yet to visit London and it's on my list of places to visit.
Re yesterday's post, i think the potato pudding and potato pie may just share a similar recipe:-). I hope you have a great weekend! xx

Ginta said...

Oh, those birds are so beautiful!
It always amazes me that it's possible to find unexpected gems like this in the most urban places!

Anonymous said...

No way, in London? Haha I can understand your confusion, I'd have had the same reaction (IF I'd recognised the birds! which I wouldn't have hahaha).

BALLET NEWS said...

I adore the vibrancy of these photos - thank you so much ! Will be very interested to hear what you make of my latest interviewee !!

Have an utterly fabulous weekend !

Rosie Grey said...

Amazing! I didn't know that and bookmarked it for any visits to London! Thanks so much for it and have a wonderful weekend, Jude!

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

How cool! I can't believe they have them in London! I can see you being thrown off :)

Have a fabulous weekend, sweetie! xoxo

nikki said...

Beautiful pictures!!

xx
Nikki

Connie @ SogniESorrisi said...

What gorgeous colours! Happy Weekend!

Annie said...

It's in London?! Oh my gosh, when I visit my friend in London, I'll have to go here! It's absolutely gorgeous.. Have a great weekend Jude!

ag. said...

London?! You're kidding! It looks so far away from the working world. Those photos are gorgeous!

Isabel said...

this looks amazing....i havent been to london since i was about 3...if i get the chance to go again i will make sure to visit :)

Punctuation Mark said...

i love wildlife that is accessible to cities... that way people can escape and appreciate it so they can take care of it... have a fantastic weekend!!!

Lisa Gordon said...

These are beautiful Jude. I especially like the second from last. The colors are amazing.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Wow! What a beautiful place. It must be in amazing in person!

Jude said...

It was definitely odd to see Hawaiian birds in London :) I'd highly recommend a visit there if you like the outdoors & find yourselves in London!

stylenuggets said...

I'm always surprised to see wild birds so at home in city parks. We have some parks here where the birds have to deal with humans and dogs but still look content :)

cb said...

these are gorgeous pictures! 2nd picture from the bottom of that duck is amazing, he is soo beautiful!

xo,
cb

Meghan said...

wow! I had no idea. This is so beautiful!

Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright} said...

Don't you just love stumbling upon little gems? Nice blog to have stumbled upon! xoxo

Jeannie said...

You have shown us what a very lovely city London is! Love all the photos!

Amber said...

wow London? I would never have guessed it. You find the best stuff

thingsIlove said...

WOW! They photos are beautiful!

Jessica said...

Wow! I would have never dreamed this was in London. What a beautiful sanctuary.

Enter to win a Gorjana necklace! (prize valued at $95)

RD said...

Missed this in my time in London... Will file it away for the future. In a similar spirit, I was out today in the Far Rockaways, a part of Brooklyn jutting out into the sea. Who knew it would be so sparsely beautiful? xo bb

Celeste said...

So peaceful and lovely. How perfect.

Flourishing Networks said...

beautiful photos and beautiful place!!!

little luxury list said...

Gorgeous photos and I'm really bummed I never got to visit this when I was in London!

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Memories are certainly the most priceless things to carry!

elena nuez said...

Increible!!!
really beautiful!

Style, She Wrote said...

I was in London for two weeks a year or so ago and never knew this was there! What a great find!

Jess said...

Wow it looks very tranquil :)

Oh, My Darling said...

Wow, what stunning photos!

Anonymous said...

I had to smile looking at this and seeing the Nene. I used to work at Jersey Zoo and during the summer, staff had to park in a different car park, meaning that we had to walk down through the grounds each day. I can tell you, the flocks of Nene were brutal to us! They used to attack us e.v.e.r.y day, and our only defense was to flap our arms and wave our handbags in their general direction. It must have been a sight: highly endangered birds versus crazy humans!

I had no idea Slimbridge was close enough to London to be considered part of. Places like this are a breath of fresh air, both in reality and for the soul.

Anonymous said...

The Nenes are beautiful.

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