Little Bee........

A small bee was caught in a spider's web..........I carefully removed her and placed her on a flower.

I watched her through my camera lens......

as she removed every thread of silk from her little body. Then she flew away...........

Isn't she lovely....

The weather is still warm.....sunny days....blue skies.......an extended summer. a bonus for wildlife. This lovely little butterfly has been flitting around my garden for the last two weeks. She/he is easily disturbed and very hard to approach. By chance I managed to get two photographs today.......

Clouded yellow or Pale clouded yellow, I am not sure. Please note the tiny blue patch. She is very lovely.......can anyone help me identify her???

Sunday safari

It rained last night, birds sit in the trees.........

enjoying the early morning sunshine.

A female chaffinch sits snug and cosy amongst the branches of the old Hawthorn tree.

I walk serenity's path to Poppi's patch.......
Is there anything more beautiful than a humble bumble collecting pollen from a pretty pink bloom?

I enjoy the moment.....each visit is a precious gift.....

Here in the stillness, I feel my spirits soar......

There is so much poetry in nature.....

the great mystery of life and growth......

Everything changing before my very eyes.....

taking it's time......
silently....there is no hurry here......

I leave you with the words of Adelaide Proctor.......

Linger O gentle time.....

Linger, O radiant grace of bright today....

Let not the hours' chime

Call thee away,

But linger near me still with fond delay.

Have a happy and peaceful Sunday.......

Just how much can you love a garden.....

Mr P....."Don't you think you are a little obsessed with the garden."
Cheryl ....."I havn't really thought about it."

Mr P ......" you are always out there. You worry if it rains too much, you worry if it is too dry.......you rabbit count on a regular basis."

Cheryl...."Well yes, I suppose I do......but that is because the garden is part of me.......something I have nurtured and brought to life."

This conversation started me thinking.....do men have a passion for gardening?

My Dad is a gardener and he enjoys it but he is not passionate about it. Is it a woman thing?

I must confess I eat, drink and breathe my garden. I know every plant....every tree......where insects gather ...... which branch the robin sings from.....

I get excited when a 'new to me' plant comes into bloom.....

I love the anticipation........

Chrysanthemum fireworks, has given me much pleasure this week........

So tell me gentle bloggers, is the man you live with passionate about gardening.?


Note: The one time Mr P cut the lawn with the tractor mower, all my wildflowers disappeared....consequently he is not allowed to touch the garden, unless I need some sort of structure made and erected....and then I have to say he is an absolute gem.

Writing......

I was a shy little girl......and a day dreamer. Happy in my own company.

I did not like crowds, and busy places. My idea of fun was running through the woods with my brother........or climbing a tree in the park.

We grow, we change.....we blossom.........

We choose our own path.....I have led a colourful life.........

Eric who is 97, wrote his memoirs at the age of 93. A record for his family. I am honoured, he has given me a copy.

I have always loved pen and ink. Many years ago I worked for the Territorial Army....an officer noticed my writing and each year I would complete Meritorious Service Certificates, adding the name and unit of the serving soldier. My love of writing continued, and I was priviledged to do some work for our local church.

I have started a book for the grandchildren. A book for them to keep. An insight of their grandmother's life, her thoughts, her dreams, her disappointments....the joys....the sadness......

I shall fill the book with pressed flowers......with little sketches......and doodles.

A project each winter when the days are cold and wet.

Note: I was a constant frustration to most of my teachers.......for one reason and one reason only, my writing would change every week. When I look at my school books now, I can understand why ...........a mish mash of writing styles.......doodles in the corners. Still now I can play to my hearts content.........

Sunday safari

It was frosty last night, the first frost of the season. It was not a killing frost........

Summer is reluctant to say goodbye.......

and holds on by a thread......

The days are warm.....the last of the summer workers make the most of the extended summer season. Abelia Grandiflora is much loved by all bees......

I spotted this pretty little bee amongst the foliage.....it looks like some sort of mining bee.........

A painted lady warms herself on the gravel drive. She will not survive our cold and humid winter. She is a second generation butterfly........she is perfect.

A dragonfly finds a cosy corner.

The hoverflies have returned......
I have noticed moths are gathering........

they rest by day near the house lights. When the lights go on tonight, there will be plenty of insects nearby for them to feed on.

A family of Pied Wagtails have arrived. Two adults and three juveniles. This little chap patrols the rooftop of the house......catching insects en route.

A friendly Blue Tit takes breakfast......

A robin sings, he is claiming the garden. This is his territory. We are friends. As I dig the borders he joins me, taking mealworms from the soil.

The patio is warm and full of nectar giving plants. It is calling to the butterflies.
A peacock stops to feed on hardy Plumbago.

Peacock butterflies live for almost a year. This one may hibernate in the garden. They like the warmth of garden sheds. I shall leave the door open during the day.

This has felt like a summer safari. Mid October and the days are beautiful. I have worked in the garden for most of the day and it has been an absolute joy to see so many birds butterflies bees etc in the garden.

Happy autumn safari.......

Helleborus x hybridus...the Lenten Rose.

I have many favourite plants, too numerous to mention, BUT there is only one plant I have a love affair with.....and that is the Lenten Rose.

I love their shy habit........their woodland ways.......and the fact that they bloom during the winter months......

I have a collection of around twenty plants and add to them each year.....

I search nurseries for plants that are reduced and bring them home and give them plenty of TLC.

I dig a large hole in a shady spot, and fill it with leaf mould. Once the plant is in I give it a good watering.

In the winter when the buds appear I cut some of the large leaves away so that I can appreciate the beautiful blooms......

The above photographs were taken last winter.........and they excite me they really do........it almost makes me look forward to the colder months.

Must dash.....I have some Helleborus to plant........