Sunday 10 August 2008

Sunday safari.....

As I walked into the garden this morning a green woodpecker flew into the small copse. Needless to say he was well hidden, so no photograph. I wanted to show you this goldfinch, even though it is a poor image, because it is on the teasels. I saw a charm of them yesterday feeding on the seeds, they really can't resist them. I have always planted teasels purely for the bees and goldfinch......
This little bluetit waited patiently for the feeders to be refilled........
and this bee sat on the cardoon flower cleaning himself for ages......it was lovely to be able to study him.....
I love this photograph.......and although the bird shots are not good, this more than made up for it.....
a busy bee on the lobelia....the water plants have attracted a lot of insects....
A honey bee coming into land......I think it will be a soft landing on the cardoon flower......

I think this is a screech beetle.....he is in the ornamental pond, along with plenty of other insects.......it has amazed me how much life is in this pond already. It is not a wildlife pond so I did not expect to see many creatures in it. A frog visited for a day or two which was nice.....as soon as I went near though he went down into the rocks and hid amongst the foliage..........see you all next Sunday, enjoy your day.......


18 comments:

Stewart said...

Hi Cheryl,
This is my first visit here. Love the blog, photos and everything. That poem just sends me into a trance. It would fit nicely with a book by Denys Watkins-Pitchford aka 'BB'.
Great stuff, I'll be back....

beckie said...

Cheryl, those teasels sure attract a lot of wildlife. Would like to plant some here. I love the bee shots. The one just looks so happy to be in that flower-like he found his own private candy shop! To get a bee flying is amazing and it is so clear, What a great picture. I'm so glad you are seeing creatures in your water feature. I knew you would, but thought, too, it would take a while. That bug is a little scary looking though. hanks for another great safari!

Cheryl said...

Hi Boulmer birder...tks for the good feedback....glad you enjoyed the poem.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Beckie...I waited around ten minutes for that honeybee in flight.....they kept flying on and off the bloom....I was determined to get a photo.....
Screech beetle is okay....I have no problems with him....if he is happy then so am I....

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
Happy Safari! I love seeing your birds and bugs. Today was a great a day for bees in your gardens. I love all your bee photos. I too love the teasel. We have some native growing by the highway and I keep wanting to gather some seeds for my wildflower garden.
Fun Safari!
Sherry

Cindy Garber Iverson said...

I love your bee photos. My favorite is the one that's your favorite. The detail on the wings is so crisp and artful! I just love it.

Cindy

Wendy said...

A green woodpecker? I've never heard of one. I wonder if we have any over here. Where I live, there are a lot of woodpeckers. I actually saw one this morning too as I walked....It was shy and didn't make a sound. I was just lucky to catch a glimpse of it as it hopped up the tree.

I love your bees! The first one looks so sweet, as if in repose. And the others are so detailed - even down to the "veins?" well, lines anyway on it's wings.
I enjoyed your sunday safari...
Thank you.

Ruth said...

I love your British Goldfinches! The American Goldfinches (which we have in Canada) like teasels too. Our Goldfinches are breeding now and are very active.

Rose said...

Cheryl, I think your bird photos are great--they have to be the most difficult of all creatures to photograph. But the bees...well, they are just amazing. I marveled at the design on the bumblebee's wings--I'm sure I've never seen that before.
I'd love to see more of your cardoon--isn't that the plant that is so tall?

Cheryl said...

Hi Sherry.....I have so many bees, it is really quite amazing....it has made up for the shortage of mason bees this year....

The teasel is great, it is my favourite wildlife plant....I also love its structure and colour.....

Cheryl said...

Thank you Cindy I was so pleased with that photograph....

Cheryl said...

Thank you Wendy glad that you enjoyed it.....I really look forward to Sunday safari....

Cheryl said...

Hi Ruth....the teasel seems to do well everywhere.....I suppose because it is not too worried about soil quality and it can withstand low temperatures....

Cheryl said...

Hi Rose....thank you....I to loved the detail on the bumblebees wings, I have seen it once before....

The cardoon this year is a giant.....around three metres high by two metres spread....it must have been all the manure I added at the beginning of the season.....

naturewitch said...

Hi Cheryl

I always love visiting your blog. Your photos are so beautiful and uplifting. Thanks xx

Cheryl said...

Thank you naturewitch....

Jackie said...

Beautiful bee photos. That bird sitting amidst the teasel is a pretty thing too. Your garden looks like it requires a huge amount of work to keep up with.

Cheryl said...

Hi Zhakee....it is too much work sometimes....but all in all I love it........