Sunday 22 November 2009

Sunday safari

The skies are grey and heavy with rain. Strong winds bring down branches and small trees.
My heart goes out to those living in the Lake District and Scotland....their homes flooded.....some people having to climb into their loft space to escape the water. The RNLI have done a wonderful job rescuing those that needed to be brought to safety.

Seagulls fly into the area......the seas are rough. They have come to feed inland......the farmers fields will serve them well.......


A brief glimpse of the sun brings out a Queen Bee. She finds a solar panel to warm herself.......
She is sleepy.....she stumbles across the Mahonia looking for blooms......
Eventually she finds them.........
Honey bees join her.......the sweet fragrance has drifted on the air and called them to the plant.......
A moth shelters on a window ledge trying to escape the rain and winds.


The weather forecast is much the same for the rest of the week. I do hope the sun is shining for you.........and that you are having a happy Sunday........

22 comments:

Randy Emmitt said...

Cheryl,

I enjoyed these photos especially the bee photos!

NCmountainwoman said...

I will think positive thoughts for those affected.

It's raining here as well, but I will still enjoy the day.

Gorgeous photographs.

Marimoy said...

I will send happy thoughts to those families. Wonderful pictures as always.

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
Blessings to all those who are in harms way with all the floods.
The wildlife too need our help.
Your photographs today are awesome....the moth with the rain drops made me gasp! WOW!
Always love seeing your bees. I saw one little bee this morning. Cloudy here. Rain is coming my way too.
Stay dry!
Happy Safari.
Sherry

Cheryl said...

Dear Sherry.....I have just heard the news.......there has been more rain in Cumbria.....some of the bridges are about to collapse. it is truly awful....it is the highest amount of rainfall, at one time, on record.
I am so concerned for the wildlife, they do not stand a chance. I know animal charities will go in once waters have subsided.

The moth was very large....I was amazed when I saw the raindrops on his wings.......

Stay well....stay warm......

Liz said...

Hi Cheryl,

Indeed, I hope the floods begin to lessen, we've had little sign of any problems here mainly high winds with some heavy rain today (none prior)

I cannot even begin to imagine how those affected must be feeling right now...

Wendy said...

Dear Cheryl,
I watched with horror, on T.V., the awful floods in your part of the world. I was hoping they didn't affect you. And I'm glad you are o.k.

But I am truly sad for those whose lives and homes are lost. According to the news report, one of the policemen who was directing people to safety, succumbed to the waters himself. How awful!

That lone seagull is well done. I've tried capturing birds in flight - not easy. Hasn't worked for me at all.

And your bees look so clear and sweet, drinking the nectar. The moth! Oh my! You can almost hear it saying "open up and let me in!" Actually, it looks more like it's resting on the sill. More resigned rather than frantic.

Stay strong and keep well, my friend.

Rose said...

This has been a stormy season for so many people. My best wishes go out to those who are severely affected by the flooding and hope they can find safety. And I hope, too, that the wildlife can make it to dry land. We have had three sunny days in a row, but more rain is in the forecast for this week--nothing drastic, though.

Good to see the bees out for a little frolic in your flowers!

beckie said...

Cheryl, great photos of the bee-she does look sleepy. I hope she finds shelter soon for the long winter. The moth is stunning! What an eye you havwe for finding critters.

I have heard the rain you are getting is setting records-as far back as the 1700'. Hopefully the rain and winds will soon subside and people can go about the business of cleaning up and restpring their homes.

In the mean time do take care and I will say prayers for you all.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

You even have bees on a cold rainy windy day. WOW. I haven't seen any bees around here for some days. I love the photo of the Queen sipping on the mahonia. I got to see a Little Gull yesterday. The first time for this bird. I was thrilled.

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

Wow, Cheryl, I hadn't heard about the floods in northern England--I'm glad people are being helped/rescued in a timely fashion! Here it's been oddly warm and sunny for November--it's normally cool, rainy, grey, and blustery.

Roses and Lilacs said...

The news has been full of the terrible flooding in the Lake District. My heart goes out to everyone there.

It is so foggy here, I can barely see the road from my office window. Dark and dreary.
Marnie

Cheryl said...

Hi Liz....it happens every year doesn't it? When will something be done about the floods.....we always seem to leave it till things get really bad....

Cheryl said...

Hi Wendy...tku for you kind thoughts and good wishes. Sadly a policeman did lose his life during the floods. My heart goes out to his family.

The moth looked so miserable, I almost felt like bringing him indoors to dry off......

Cheryl said...

Hi Rose...tku....it has been an awful November here. Some areas have really suffered.....there is so much damage. I just hope that the Government response is quicker than it has been in the past......after all this is people's lives.

Cheryl said...

Thank you Beckie.....I was watching the news today......what a mess for the families....it will, I fear, be a long job. Many are still living in sheltered accommodation...

The moth was covered in water droplets.....it did not look happy.....

I do hope that you have a good week and the weather is behaving in your part of the world......

ShySongbird said...

These are lovely photos again Cheryl. I am amazed you are still seeing bees so late in the year.

What awful weather this is, the wind has been very fierce here today with more heavy rain. This evening seems chillier than of late.

I missed commenting on your last post :( but read it with the intention of coming back later, I am very behind with everything at the moment.

It was very interesting to read how your lovely garden has evolved, I too have Mahonia Charity, it is a treat to see it brighten the Winter days.

Gail said...

Cheryl, I am sorry to hear that there is flooding and so much devastation. It sounds like it was getting worse.

It's good to see the bees, they have disappeared here...it's too chilly. I will warm myself with your photos.

gail

Cheryl said...

Hi Jan...it is cold and very very windy here this morning...believe it or not I saw the Queen bee at
8am visiting the Mahonia. I wonder if she is stocking up as colder weather is on the way. I always watch the creatures in the garden, they often have a way of telling us what is ahead.....

Mahonia is a joy and a shrub that I would not be without....the perfume is just so lovely......

Pat said...

Seegulls...so far inland...wow !
Amazing you still see bees, of course we may have them but haven't spent much time out doors lately.

marmee said...

wonderful safari cheryl, i love coming along and seeing your queen bee, moth.
i had not heard of the flooding in scotland or the lake district...such a tragedy.
we have had lovely cool days with the sun shining. a reprive from all the rain we had all summer and early fall.
happy november/thanksgiving.

Ruth said...

I was looking at the photos of the flooding on the BBC site. The force of nature can be frightening. Yet you show the gentle and fragile side of nature so well in your photos.