Thursday 20 November 2008

Trip to the garden centre.......

Bright sunny day, so first thing I went to the garden centre. I purchased some lovely plants for the woodland walk. Skimmia Japonica is a personal favourite and I think it looks lovely in a natural setting.......
Woodland primroses were another buy........I have dotted them right the way along the pathway........

My final purchase, some beautiful English Hellebores........they do very well here, and are perfect in a woodland setting........


I scattered some seed near to where I was working, in the hope of attracting some birds. Much to my surprise and pleasure the Dunnock came.......he sat watching me for several minutes.......he wasn't brave enough to take any seed..........



Much to my amazement ratty rat appeared. I surprised myself when I started thinking how cute his face is and how clean they are. He took some seed and fled. I have been reading up on rats......they are not as bad as we think.....as long as they stay away from the house..........At the close of day the heron flew over.........he flies over the garden most afternoons to get to the wildlife pond in the field opposite the house. I hope he found some supper......I love these birds.......







30 comments:

Anna Simpson said...

Rats always seem to get a bad press, yet to really be honest I think they are rather sweet. I love your photograph of the Grey Heron, it's fantastic.

Cheryl said...

Hi Anna.....I think you are right, they do get a bad press.....they have so many predators they rarely get out of hand......

The heron photograph was a bit of luck.....not a perfect picture but you can see that it is a Grey Horen

Gail said...

Cheryl,

Hello...You had a good day in the garden! Ratty rat was very brave and so were you! I'm not sure I would have been...rats have such bad press~~ star in scary movies, etc... You know what I mean!

A good shot of the heron!

Gail

Cheryl said...

It was a good day in the garden Gail.....I am enjoying the changes.....have a lot more in mind.....
Yes I do know what you mean about the rat!!

Pat said...

Wow, you see a heron almost everyday !!

Fun,fun,fun...garden center !!

NCmountainwoman said...

What a lovely day in the garden. I love the primroses.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Cheryl, I love the primroses. They don't do very well here. I have had them survive planted near the house but they get frozen out most of the time. At least I guess that is what happens to them. I love their cheery faces.

The heron is a beautiful sight when they fly. They seem prehistoric to me.

Now the rat, well, I just can't like them. Even after watching the movie Rattatoulle.

ChrisND said...

Great to see your additions to the woodland walk. It interesting how you meet wildlife and learn what has made a home around the environments you provide...I guess most creatures aren't too bad until they interact too closely with humans.

Chandramouli S said...

Hi Cheryl, Dunnock looks so sweet and I hope he comes back. Its always great to have cute visitors in your garden, it makes your garden so special, ain't it?

Ruth said...

My garden is under a foot of snow. Beautiful pictures. I am amazed at what is growing in November in your area.

Rose said...

Your woodland path is coming along nicely, Cheryl: I like the effect of the japonica leaning over the silver birch logs. It's far too cold here to plant anything; I'm afraid gardening work is done for awhile.
Rats probably do get bad press, but I'm still not very fond of them...but the heron is beautiful!

I saw the red-headed woodpecker at my house again today, but he flew away as soon as I got out my camera:(

Cheryl said...

Hi Patsi.......the heron flies by most days.....he has dropped into the garden a couple of times to investigate the small pond we have......

Cheryl said...

Hi Lisa....I love woodland primroses....the soil here is perfect for them and they flourish.....
I to love the heron....they are protected here.....it is illegal to trap or shoot them.....in the countryside unfortuately you never know what is going on......people do not like them taking their fish.....one heron......dozens of fish.....no contest as far as I am concerned, give me the heron everytime......

We won't mention the rat!!

Cheryl said...

Hi Chandramouli....the dunnock is here all year.....my garden is his territory.....being so shy, it is rare to get a good picture......

Cheryl said...

Hi Chris.....yes I agree.....rats are not a favourite creature of mine......but one is ok......when you have a terrier, they never get out of control.......and the local fox helps.......

Cheryl said...

Gosh Ruth.....a foot of snow.....brrrrrrr

Cheryl said...

Glad you like the woodland path, it does actually look really pretty.....I am so pleased with it.....

Birds are so difficult to take....even with this new camera they disappear as soon as I lift the camera....they are going to be a challenge....

Love woodpeckers....

beckie said...

Cheryl, how wonderful that you can still be planting. And even more amazing that your garden center has such great plants. The japonica is new to me but looks like it really belongs in a woodland setting. Great choice. The primrose are such sweet little flowers and look like woodland violets. Another perfect choice.

The Dunnock is such a sweet looking little bird and maybe after watching you for a while won't be so shy. Aren't herons majestic!

Can't wait to see what else you have in mind for your gardens. You have accomplished so much this year already.

Libbys Blog said...

That looks very like my heron!!! You can keep him!! As beautiful as he is I wish he would stay away from my 'ickle' pond lol!!
I love primroses, such a cheerful bloom!!!

Miranda Bell said...

I long to have time to really develop our woodland area here but have been held up this last 2 weeks with my work with the horrible weather we've been having - thus the time to visit a few blogs:-)

It's amazing too to see so many leaves still on the trees here at this time of year - I'm sure they're later to drop than usual... perhaps it's the lack of frosts! Have a fun day - Miranda

Cheryl said...

Hi Beckie....primroses are such pretty flowers....and yes, I agree the heron is majestic......

I have lots of ideas for the garden...particularly new plantings.......

I was really happy with the garden last year but I want to bring a feeling of "the garden surrounding you"......i have lots of ideas and intend to post as I put them into being.....

Think about you, hope your are coping with your rash.......

Cheryl said...

Hi Miranda......our leaves have all gone.....we have had frosts......and chilly weather.....also plenty of rain.....strange how one year is never the same as the next......all part of the fun I suppose.......

Tricia Ryder said...

I love the extent and variation in your garden Cheryl - especially the "woodland" part of it. :)

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
I seem to be having internet troubles...hope I can leave a comment.
Thank you for little Dunnock photograph. He does look to be a sweet little thing.
I am sure Mother Nature loves Ratty just as much as she loves the Hedgehogs. I am partial to the Hedgehogs...although Ratty is cute!
They are part of the woodlands too.
The primroses are perfect! Right near the walking path too. Very charming.
It was so cold this morning, -9C!
My ground is frozen.
A Blue Heron often flies over my backyard on her way to a small nearby lake. I do think they are incredible birds. Your Grey Heron looks fantastic.
Have a most enjoyable weekend.
Namaste,
Sherry

Wendy said...

Oh, herons are majestic, aren't they? I love to watch their huge wings and long legs as they fly over us.

Your little rat is cute - not that I really like him, but...

Primroses are a favourite of mine. They look right at home on your walkway.
Have a wonderful weekend - and happy gardening! Oh, almost forgot - I saw a little red fox on my neighbour's property today. I'd never seen one before.

Cheryl said...

Thank you Tricia.....the woodland area is beginning to look good....still a bit to do.....

Cheryl said...

Dear Sherry......I love the hedgehog.....I think he is still in the copse.....the rat I am getting used to, he is actually quite a nice little chap.....he comes out to nibble the seeds........

Herons are so majestic, aren't they.....they are disliked here, as we have a lot of fisheries in the area....and the heron takes the fish.....poor heron, he is only doing what comes naturally......

I love woodland primroses....such a soft colour and very pretty, they look perfect along the pathway.......

Hope you are well and things are going to plan............

Cheryl said...

Oh Wendy....a little red fox, how lovely....a favourite of mine.....did you get a photograph?

Gail said...

Just wanted to tell you that you inspired me to go to the nursery and get a few plants for the woodland floor! I came home with Christmas Ferns (evergreen and will take dry clay soils) and epimediums...also evergreen. Have a lovely weekend! Gail

marmee said...

my goal is to capture the natural beauty of this place and enhance it as i can and have the ideas.i am trying to learn from you and i love to see the things you do. wonderful little visitors you have searching for the newly place seed.