Monday 23 June 2008

We're warming up......

This morning I awoke with anticipation........for the first time in weeks the breeze coming in through the open bedroom window was warm. I knew that the garden would come to life today, and sure enough I was right. A little pied wagtail greeted me as I walked out into the garden.
The clematis in the hedgerow had started to open her blooms.....
and over the arches, bloom after bloom....... and yet another scrambles up the old pear tree.
As I walked around just more and more flowers.......the rain......
and sunshine....and cool temperatures........
had kept everything on hold......
and as the temperatures increased everything.....
has started to blossom.....

A skipper butterfly arrived and my heart skipped when I saw it....
And this funny bug.......where were you yesterday?
There were dozens and dozens
of hoverflies.....a gardeners
best friend.


Miniature roses and feverfew....
pots full of petunia's
and nasturtium's to brighten a plain wall.
The pink mallow is just starting to bloom.....
and this one is just full of flowers....I had to stake it yesterday as the weight of the blooms was pulling it down.



The clover is out and it has attracted lots and lots of honey bees.......not a good photo Rose.....but who cares it's a honey bee......
and another....I can't tell you the absolute joy this brought me.
and finally the bumble, my most favourite of them all. For me they are, and always will be the sunshine in my garden. I work with them, they work with me. I am not precious about the plants in this space.....things do well some years......and not others. When you garden for wildlife you can accept the loss of a plant, or shrub.....but for me to lose the life in my garden, the little creatures who come here for shelter and food, would take the very heart and soul away from God's little acre. This garden feeds my spirit....it lifts me so high some days I could almost fly.............and I leave you, dear bloggers, with one little thought......I have a garden full of blooms but it took the clover in the lawn to bring in the honeybees.......




21 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Wow, great shots Cheryl. It is always good to have some clover around for the bees. I have clover in the lawn such as it is. Funny how when it gets too hot for humans the bugs and blooms step out.

Leanne said...

beautiful photos cheryl, your garden is soooo lovely....

Leanne x

Cheryl said...

Hi Lisa...I thought you would have clover in the lawn....it is so good to know that there are others out there thinking about the wildlife. You are right, it was too hot for me today but the garden was full of busy creatures......

Cheryl said...

Thank you Leanne.....

Dawny P said...

Oh these are just gorgeous Cheryl. All of them so lovely that I couldn't pick a favourite.

I thought about you today cos I heard that there had been a swarm of bees at Wimbledon at the weekend. We are off there on Sunday for a few days, so will keep you postd if I see any.

Today has been really nice here, but this evening it is quite chilly. Hope you enjoyed your day xxx

naturewitch said...

Hi Cheryl

Beautiful photos as always - the clematis took my breath away, particularly the one with the purple centre.

Hope your garden ranks highly in the wild garden awards - it certainly deserves it!

love and light

Stephanie said...

good job they look great

Wendy said...

Sometimes it's the little things - like clover, something we just might miss if we're not paying attention, to truly bring sunshine to our day.
I like the bumblebee best too. They are so fat and sleepy-looking as they meander from blossom to blossom, buzzing gently and creating magic (pollinating and honey making, of course).
What a wonderful start to your day - and to the season!

Cheryl said...

It was a wonderful start Wendy...just so uplifting....

Cheryl said...

Thank you naturewitch......I love clematis to, such an easy plant.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Dawny....have a fun time at Wimbledon....I love the tennis but don't seem to have the time to follow it these days.....hope the sun shines on you all.

Cheryl said...

Tku Stephanie....

beckie said...

Cheryl, every time I think I have seen all of your flowers, you show some new ones. And what beauties they are! Your clematis are just wonderful. I know some of us will have clematis envy. The one flower that is clustered and white with pink edges-is that the hydrangea, and if it is what is the name? I am so happy you have bees. I knew they would come to you. I went looking yesterday but didn't see any. Hopefully soon. Your happiness is so evident in your post today, and it makes me happy!

Rose said...

Cheryl, Your garden is literally bursting with blooms! So lovely. Thanks for the burry honeybee shot:) I was trying to get a photo of one yesterday for my latest post, but none of them would stand still! I wound up with a blurry bee and--as an extra bonus--a blurry dragonfly I hadn't even noticed.

Cheryl said...

Hi Beckie.....yes it is a hydrangea, but I don't know which one. I will tell you a secret. There is a little old lady who lives about five miles from me. She puts a wheelbarrow full of shrubs on her front grass, and sells them for around £2.50 (around five dollars) each. She rarely speaks and often doesn,t know what they are. She is a sweet old thing and I have a lot of plants in my garden, thanks to her. I often give her a bit extra because she does not charge enough......

Hope you see some honeybees soon...gosh its hot here.....

Cheryl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cheryl said...

Hi Rose...we should have a competition for the best blurry photograph......even Mary posted a blurry heron the other day. Now if I go to Sherry and see a blurry butterfly, I will be surprised!!
Look forward to your next post.....

Steve said...

Hi Cheryl - the butterfly is a Large skipper and the yellow and black bug is a Longhorn Beetle - Strangalia Maculata....a really cool bug. Nice pictures!

Cheryl said...

Hi Steve....I thought it was a large skippper after seeing your post the other day.....thank you so much for identifying the bettle, I love bugs. Your are a genius.....

ArtPropelled said...

I also have a pair of pied wagtails visiting my garden but I'm way down in South Africa. You have some beautiful photographs on your blog.

Cheryl said...

Hi Robyn....South Africa beautiful....pop over sometime to visit your blog.