Country diary: Achvaneran, Highlands

The vision of a Badger in your garden can be a fascinating experience. Photography: Andrew Fox the Guardian

Although we have lived in this Valley for 24 years to grow the garden still, fortunately, still out with surprises with regard to wildlife. However, it is exceptional, as in the past two weeks, they have had two incidents involved two mammals.

The first was in half later when the Mandarin and the mallard ducks in the pond below my study were, typically, loafing at the dam. Some were sleeping while others were busy preening. The young ducklings were trying to imitate the adults in preening and sometimes fall in their efforts. Suddenly everything changed as the Mallard began quacking loudly and mandarins with calls coot-like is Union. Some mallards were diving and splash, and then all the ducks began to swim laps and turns the small island. It was the culprit, and swim in the pond, was a black mink. It reached the Bank and disappeared into the bushes. At least not have domestic ducks and chickens these days but I was wondering what havoc would be airing in wildlife.

The second was late in the night, 11 pm, when I was looking down from the bedroom window. The bird table was lower, about six metres from the House. As usual, I looked into the pond where ducks were swimming around, but then there was the time when it is there that something different is happening. Had sprinkled some grain under the table for real and ducklings pintails Mandarin for supplies early in the morning. Feeding grain, there was a Badger. After a few minutes he joined and patterns in white and black heads shone and saw grey hair on the back. I was spellbound and impressed and had trouble sleeping that night.

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Country diary: Wenlock Edge

' A field Vole, running as fast as his legs could shortly carry it down the Canal, on a mission through a world of danger.' Photograph: Hugo Wilcox / photo Natura/Getty Images/Minden Pictures RM

The day was a dazzler, hot against the skin to sunlight scratchy raking the thick green July. As weakened overnight cooling paths with sky cleared, seen through dark and pointed tracery of the ash tree leaves.

Bands of swallows and house martins came together bass on wheat fields. Swooping, flicker low, the whiskers of a previous mosquito spiny seeds had grabbed a rare day of full sun to medium mature, birds have a call to close one to the other. Their gossip natterings filled the air; they were excited and full of energy, nervous and rebellious. The Swifts were off terrorizing some other sky and most other birds were closing themselves in the shadows. The swallows and martins ran around the light in a corner of the field until scarpered too to where it is during the night.

A white cat looked lane: "fine love and barley", as the Japanese poet Basho say - and slipped into the coverage of rabbit shuffled. From direction became a field Vole, running as fast as his legs shortly could take it down outside, primitive in lots of duff, definitely on a mission through a world of danger compilation. A field with a hedge of high ran a wire fence; a willow Warbler perched on a post of calls soft as sneezing that twitched his entire body. As he walked toward his position, the Warbler could fly to another and sneezing, maintenance of this for the length of the fence. I've seen robins doing exactly the same here.

Beyond of the sphere Orange street lights sparkled in Wenlock and bats appeared. They came so close, that I could hear the thrum of wings is stretched so thin that the last glow of the sky shone through them. With spirited energy as the martins, bat flickered to my about owls pronounces their own night and then the vole.

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Country diary: Lakes

"There is a green hill far away..." Hartsop Dodd by Kirkstone Pass. Photography: Tony Greenbank the Guardian

The circus of the hills which dominate the village of Hartsop is best approach to Kirkstone Pass to Tonbridge. Ahead, through the windshield, a horseshoe Mountain looms closer attention with every roll of the wheel. Tantalizing hints of Grey Pe?a, Pe?a Thornthwaite, Threshthwaite mouth, Raven Pe?a Cauldale Moor which all have their glorious moments up directly in front of you planning to Hartsop Dodd, a peak of such perfection that captive hearts.

Even in the same way you can break too. The Hartsop round is higher and further away from what it seems. That you would think, looking up to the green hill of Hartsop Dodd beck below, accumulated over its horizon resulting height is greater than the highest mountain in England? Experienced climber, maybe. But each of those who will be this horizon of gaze down the length of Ullswater, the beauty of these hills will attract much more not so blooded.

I mistakenly bite more than I can chew when trying to climb the Dodd of the pens of sheep then impregnated by the smell of sheep, but only full dip two-thirds of the rise prior to an appearance of Achilles tendinitis forces a retreat. Then - as if seen from the window of an airplane seat to land: forests and fields and Ullswater gunbarrel grey, disappear around a curve in the hills. A variety of sheep that are called trods, created by sheep fell agile, and negotiate a very steep hill it seems can be prepared toboggan on the roofs of slate of housing below.

Arriving at the car park below the my spirit level bubble returns dead (Center), its base alcoholic suggesting refresh. No such luck for this course hill Hesperus, however, with a cup of Earl Grey in the Inn where it is believed that William Wordsworth first heard the news that he had been earned Trafalgar.

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Country diary: Cambridge Botanical Garden

A crawler pub between the lavender in the garden of Cambridge. Photo: Sarah Niemann the Guardian

It is more colorful final lunchtime drinking den in the city. Extensive beds in the center of the Botanic gardens offer an arc iris of opportunity, but the bees are selective tipplers. Shun bright oranges and yellows of the blue end of the spectrum, making a beeline for plants as the Echinops spiky pompommed.

For some time I sat between a large stand of lavender, attracted by the smell and sight, intoxicated by the activity of insect. Cost me a bit to realize there are clear patterns between seemingly random collection. Bumblebees Buff tail are crawlers pub dilettante here: down to below a quick pass out again, full-bodied and impatient. Red-tailed bumblebees are drinkers the session, contained in a single place, draining every flower on its nectar.

One suspended near slowly climbing flower in bloom. It extends its proboscis, the glossy black spike texture of plastic in the form of a miniature cow horn and sinks deep sup between the petals. She lifts her head outside and look into your eyes: large dark bands as shades of rapper, a vivid lines lattice grid reminds me that it is not two eyes but a composite of many. He draws his body across his face as if they were hairy wipers. After each survey, you have to perform this cleaning action.

The bees are more numerous that face hides of lavender. They are like Blue tits in a feeder, more mobile, more acrobatic than bumblebees, deposit as the tip of flowers. Finally, my eyes lose their close approach and I hope beyond, on the grass that has been allowed to grow much. In the back, above the summits of the Prairie, Tower of beehives are blocks of wood. The newly acquired jar garden botanical of honey in my bag will be a reminder of sweet winter of summer at the bar.

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Journal of the country: South Uist

"But the wings that make me my breath" - a Dragonfly with morning dew pearling his wings. Photography: Frank Krahmer / Frank Krahmer, zefa/Corbis

On a stone by the edge of the rough track a Dragonfly is taking the heat of the afternoon sun in the afternoon. Wary that it could take flight if I approach most closely, step back and focus my binoculars down as they go. The image focuses to reveal a long and Brown ochre body, a characteristically powerful chest and a pair of enormous complex Brown and yellow eyes. But the wings that make me my breathing. A network intricate support veins it is divided and subdivided its apparent fragility in lace in small groups, and a combination of light and angle opportunity has created a patchwork of brilliant Golden spread through la Plata.

This exquisitely winged creature is a female common darter, and she is not alone, because it seems that this route through the grass and heather is a territory of favorite Dragonfly. Protected from the wind but exposed to the Sun throughout the day, makes his way past several small pools, their surfaces with a scattering of leaves of grass and its low banks lined with clusters of reed.

Dragonflies are everywhere: on the wing, red-orange of the male common Darter bodies are as bright as the Sun so that they appear at first as a different species altogether from the female. There are dragonflies of Monterrico on the road, in swimming pools and skimming on the heather. In a large sloping rock, a Squadron is at rest. All face the same way, females were lined up in a range spaced unevenly, males forming a more flexible group but with the latent threat of attack helicopters, waiting for the next mission. Darter, like all dragonflies are predators, launch - as its name suggests: attack sudden a situation or a favorite vantage point that will return with their prey.

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Nine new country peace corps directors sworn in service (News)

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WASHINGTON, D.C., June 29, 2011 – Nine new Peace Corps country directors completed three weeks of staff training and were sworn-in for service at Peace Corps Headquarters before departing for positions in Azerbaijan, Botswana, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Guinea, Philippines, Swaziland, Thailand, and Uganda.

Country directors are responsible for the management and direction of all aspects
of the Peace Corps program in their countries of assignment. The country directors support volunteers in the field and they lend their skills and energy to meet Peace Corps program goals. All Peace Corps country directors complete Overseas Staff Training (OST) at Peace Corps headquarters to prepare for their new roles.

“We are proud to welcome this group of country directors to the Peace Corps community,” said Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams. “Their dedication and leadership will help us promote a better understanding between host countries and Americans.”

The new country directors include: Macie Whittington (Azerbaijan), Tim Hartman (Botswana), Mikel Herrington (Bulgaria), Penny Fields (Cambodia), Julie Burns (Guinea), Denny F. Robertson (Philippines), Steven Driehaus (Swaziland), David Claussenius (Thailand), and Loucine Hayes (Uganda).

The new country directors bring a vast array of professional experience to the Peace Corps, with their backgrounds ranging in information technology (IT), public health, government, law, and the nonprofit sector.

The following are brief biographies of the Peace Corps country directors:

Azerbaijan – Macie Whittington
(RPCV Moldova, 2008-2010)
Macie Whittington has spent most of her career in the private sector in executive leadership positions in medium to large IT technology and services providers. Her recent experience includes vice president of operations and vice president of channels and alliances for a global IT services company. Whittington has also led international business development and marketing for consulting and services firms, working with partners such as HP, IBM, and Fujitsu in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Botswana – Tim Hartman
(RPCV Cameroon, 1986-1989)
Most recently, Tim Hartman served as president and chief operating officer of BroadReach Healthcare’s Global Health division. He has also worked for Computer Science Corporation's Global Health Solutions Group and APM Inc. Hartman has assisted implement large scale HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs in Africa, helped many of America’s premier health systems reach ambitious strategic and operational goals, and worked in grassroots international development projects. Hartman received his Master of Business Administration degree from the Yale School of Management and his bachelor’s in philosophy from Stanford University.

Bulgaria – Mikel Herrington
Mikel Herrington worked for almost 14 years with the Corporation for National and Community Service, where he spent most of his tenure in the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) program. Herrington has directed English language and U.S. cultural programs in China, led a team of graduate students from Columbia University on a maternal, infant, and child health care project in Belize, and served as a research fellow at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Jakarta, Indonesia. Herrington graduated from Yale University with a bachelor’s degree in English literature in 1983 and from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs with a master’s in international affairs in 1991.

Cambodia – Penny Fields
(RPCV Gabon, 1988-1990)
Penny Fields has practiced law in Seattle, Wash. for the past seven years, focusing on contract disputes, Internet and technology issues, and political law. Fields has also worked for various development consulting firms, including Chemonics International and Management Systems International. In 1995, Fields served as an associate country director for the natural resource management program in Peace Corps/Niger, an associate director for the education program in Peace Corps/Poland, and a training director for Peace Corps/Bangladesh. Fields holds a master’s degree in international development management at American University. In 2004, Fields obtained a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Washington School of Law, with an emphasis on public international law.

Guinea – Julie Burns
(RPCV Zaire, 1988-1991)
Julie Burns worked for more than a decade with Outward Bound and National Outdoor Leadership School running international courses and high-altitude mountaineering expeditions. She later joined Cornell Outdoor Education as the director of Wilderness Programs and Risk Management, teaching leadership courses for the Cornell Team and Leadership Center. Burns has worked in several international nongovernmental development agencies in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Burns attended the University of Minnesota for her bachelor’s degree and holds a master’s in public administration and a doctorate in adult education from Cornell University.

Philippines – Denny F. Robertson
(RPCV Philippines, 1977-1979)
Denny Robertson is a former senior foreign service officer with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). He held multiple posts in Africa, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America over 25 years and was recently USAID mission director in Romania and the Caucasus. Robertson earned a bachelor’s degree in natural resources from the University of Michigan and a master’s in community development from Michigan State University.

Swaziland – Steve Driehaus
(RPCV Senegal, 1988-1990)
Steve Driehaus served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Ohio's 1st Congressional District from 2009 to 2011. From 2000 to 2008, Driehaus served with the Ohio House of Representatives. Driehaus has also worked as the executive director of the Community Building Institute and for Indiana University, coordinating a large professional internship program between Southern Africa and the United States. Driehaus studied political science at Miami University, Ohio and holds a Master of Public Administration from Indiana University.

Thailand – David R. Claussenius
(RPCV Philippines, 1977-1979)
David Claussenius joined Save the Children/U.S. as deputy director for Asia Pacific region in 1988 and has subsequently held several leadership positions with the organization. He has served as director of the Philippine and Asia and Middle East programs, headed the program in Vietnam, and worked as regional director for South and Southeast Asia. Most recently, Claussenius was the lead project manager of an international program unit Save the Children, implementing programs in 72 countries. Claussenius holds a bachelor’s in counseling psychology from the University of Oregon in Eugene and a master’s in international studies from Columbia University.

Uganda – Loucine Hayes
Loucine Hayes was born in a small town in the Armenian highlands. She completed her undergraduate studies and worked as a journalist in Armenia where she met and married a Peace Corps volunteer. After becoming an American citizen in 1999, Hayes taught English in Saudi Arabia, worked as communications and program manager for World Vision-Armenia, and then began a career with Habitat for Humanity, where she served as a country director in Vanuatu, and as a regional housing microfinance manager for Habitat Europe and Central Asia. Hayes earned her Master of Business Administration degree at Edinburgh Business School in Scotland.

About the Peace Corps: President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961, by executive order. Throughout 2011, Peace Corps is commemorating 50 years of promoting peace and friendship around the world. Historically, more than 200,000 Americans have served with the Peace Corps to promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of 139 host countries. Today, 8,655 volunteers are working with local communities in 77 host countries. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment. Visit www.peacecorps.gov for more information.

Includes news releases, photos, and stories from the field

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