Sunday 19 October 2008

Fading blooms and little creatures.......

Although the days are bright, they are quite chilly....jumper and jacket weather.......the nights are cold dropping to 3C sometimes.......
Blooms are fading but the autumn sunlight gives them a pretty glow and the odd hoverfly...........

and carder bee can be found on them.........


I do like the way the sun softens the whole garden at this time of year..........



Found this young hedgehog stumbling around the garden today....they are nocturnal creatures and should be thinking of hibernating now.......I took him into the shed...........gave him something to eat and drink........




then took him into the copse and snuggled him down into one of the hedgehog homes..................he has plenty of fresh warm bedding in there and I have left food and water outside for him..........hopefully he will be fine....he looked fit and well but just a little disorientated.....
Hope you all had a good weekend.........






33 comments:

Graceanne Grateful said...

I love your secret garden; it is beautiful. I am thankful for you and your love of nature and the wild creatures as I am a wildlife lover also.
I am blessed with natural woods on my land and open space also, and have much wildlife which I feed including the birds, deer, raccoons, o'possums,etc. and of course the fish and turtles in my pond.
Your blog is so lovely and I enjoy it very much. Blessings, G G

Rose said...

I do enjoy seeing the hedgehogs in your garden, Cheryl. They are such interesting creatures, especially since we don't get to see them in the US, except for the occasional pet. He didn't realize how lucky he was to stumble into your sanctuary:)
The sun is beautiful this time of year, isn't it? Its glow provides a welcome warmth, not the oppressive heat of the summer.

Cheryl said...

Thank you graceanne it is always a pleasure when you visit.....wonderful to hear that you to are a nature lover.....

Cheryl said...

The little hedgehog is very beautiful....he looks healthy....hopefully he will survive the winter and eat all my slugs next year.....

the sun is beautiful as you say Rose this time of year.......when I walk out of my door first thing in the morning I am smiling.....

Goosey said...

Oh, lovely...I hope the hedgehog makes it through the winter and has the good sense to stay in the safe place where you have put him.Love the blog BW Goosey

Pat said...

Can't imagine having hedgehogs.
And you even have hedgehog homes.
Must be nice having so many different friends on your property.

Wendy said...

What a sweet little creature. Did you ever read Mrs. Tiggywinkle by Beatrix Potter? One of my favourites!
Did you make the hedgehog home? Or do they make their own? I've never seen one, as we don't have them here.

I am glad you took such good care of the little guy. I am sure now he will survive the winter.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

You lucky lady, having a hedgehog in your garden. They are such sweet looking creatures. I have read that they are in trouble due to habitat destruction. It is lucky too that it found your wonderful sanctuary. How gratifying this must be.

Cheryl said...

Hi Wendy......yes I put the hedgehog home together.....there are many mini habitats in the copse.....that is why it is a secret garden, so that the little creatures do not get disturbed.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Lisa.....

Yes Lisa...the hedgehog has got huge problems....loss of habitat, also many are killed on our roads. The hedgehog curls into a ball when he sees the headlights of cars, so more often than not he loses his life.....sad.....
I do hope this little chap stays....there is plenty of food here and the I do not use slug pellets......another cause of their decline.......

I shall check later to see if he is still there snug and warm.....

LadyLuz said...

Oh, Cheryl, what a delight to come visit again and see how tenderly you provided for the hedgehog.

Your autumn garden has a special charm - and what's that I see.....blue sky!

The Crone at Wits End said...

Another one who adores your pictures.

Australian gardens whilst beautiful, just don't have the same magic for me that a wild English garden does.

L

Cheryl said...

Ladyluz and Crone......tku both for you lovely comments.....and yes blue skies......

Libbys Blog said...

It was a typical autumn day yesterday. Sunshiny day, with cold winds and a chilly evening! But I was too busy to notice!!!

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Cheryl, I am so glad your eyes are sharp and saw the little hedgehog. I do hope he survives the winter all snug and secure in your Secret Garden.

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
Sweetness! I am so thrilled to see your little Hedgehog. You are truely Mother Nature's daughter.
Part of the joy of your Sanctury is providing homes for the bees and the Hedgehogs!
I do not know if your little one is a Hanna or a Hank but I do know you are a blessing for all the wild life.
I will be thinking of you tomorrow as you receive your award.
The autumn light is lovely. I seem to see most of my gardens backlit by the morning or afternoon rays.
It is in the Autumn I see the shadows too.
Love and light,
Sherry

Leanne said...

you are soo lucky to have a hedgehog, i havent seen one for several years...

Leanne x

Cheryl said...

Thank you dear Sherry......the hedgehog is beautiful.......he decided to move house today and has buried himself under a huge pile of leaves in the copse.....we try to make homes for them but Mother Nature does it best......I shall put food out for him every night until he is in deep slumber......
Tku for remembering tomorrow.....I knew that you would......

The autumn shadows go deep with me....I expect that they do with you.......

Cheryl said...

Leanne....I am honoured the hedgehog comes here.......and if he stays slugs will be distant memories......

Jackie said...

A hedgehog, wow. Now that's a creature I've never seen before. Looks like a little gray ball of fur.

Tammy said...

Cheryl,

Thank you for stopping by my blog, I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner. I haven't been online for a few days.

Your garden looks like a wonderful sanctuary.

SweetAnnee said...

wonderful pictures
love your lil hedgehog!!

deena

Cheryl said...

Hi Zhakee.....hedgehogs have spines and can be quite vicious....you handle them with a great deal of respect.....they can also bite.....

Naturegirl said...

Cheryl: I LoVe your heart! Taking that little hedgehog into your personal care!!! I love like- minded nature lovers!! I guess that's why I love coming by your blog ! You made me smile!hugs

Shirley said...

Hi there Cheryl :-)

Your garden is looking very Autumnal - great colours :-D

I enjoyed hearing of your young hedgehog being given Dinner, Bed and Breakfast! Oh... I loved seeing the photos too :-D

I too hope it survives the winter okay - it certainly has a better chance now with your help :-D

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
Just a quick hug!
I am so excited.
Hugs and smiles,
Sherry

Kathleen said...

Your garden is magic and I love how you care for the creatures who live there. It must be a very special home for you and them.

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

Your photos are beautiful, they look as if they could have been taken here in Iowa, until the one of the hedgehog of course :). Nice blog!

beckie said...

Cheryl, I love the photos of your flowers and the fall leaves. They have a softness to them that says autumn. How sweet to be able to care for the little hedgehog. I am sure he is all cozy and safe in your haven. What a wonderful idea to make little homes for them to enjoy during the winter.

Anonymous said...

`Beautiful` to share so much with you Cheryl..Your garden is `gorgeous` whatever time of Year...and it is a sure sign Winter is on it`s way!!!
Love the little hedghog...we actually saw one scrurrying around the other night...
TFS
Have a lovely Evening:)~X~

Cindy Garber Iverson said...

You are so fortunate to have indigenous hedgehogs! And your sweet and kind hospitality for this little one is so touching. I would love to be able to have hedgehog houses in my garden. Instead, I have to be content with lizard houses.

Cindy

Cheryl said...

Lizards are beautiful creatures....whatever comes here is good....I love to be at one with nature......

ChrisND said...

The sunlight is becoming precious this time of year...I'm glad you had a home all ready for the little hedgehog. It's now the start of heating season as the sun does not warm the house enough during the day - chilly mornings now.