Sunday 21 August 2011

Sunday safari

I love this time of year.   Walking towards the next season, for me, is always a pleasure.   I love the changes.
 Autumn is my favourite season.   She is knocking at my door.   I feel a nip in the air.
The garden is full of life.    When I see the creatures that inhabit this space, I cannot tell you the pleasure that it gives me.
I nearly missed the holly blue.   She blends in well with the nigella bloom.     
Wasps have been a nuisance this year.   We have two nests, one in the loft and one in the copse.   Hornets are eating them.      I have lived alongside hornets for the last ten years.   They use the old trees in the garden to make their nest.    I have found them to be passive.    I like hornets.
When I saw the Emperor dragonfly early one morning my heart missed a beat.    I could barely breath.    I had left my camera inside.    I flew into the house :)     One photograph before he took flight.   This beautiful creature has the largest wingspan of any British dragonfly.       They live for one month, after a nymphal stage lasting two years.    Each year they visit...........my love for them never fades.   They really are such magical and mystical  creatures.

Happy Sunday safari.

15 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Wow, you have some real beauties in your garden right now. That funnel(?) spider looks big. I think those types of webs are interesting. That dragonfly is so colorful. No wonder you got so excited. Our temps are hot and it is still dry here. We had a week of a tease of fall now it is back to summer. Happy SS.

Cheryl said...

Hi Lisa,

I wish I could capture more of the wildlife with my camera. There are some beautiful birds in the garden at the moment. I think I saw a willow warbler yesterday.
Also juvenile wren, robin, and wood pecker.

It is humid today, I can feel a storm coming......

Have a lovely week. Grands are back tomorrow etc etc so will not be around for the rest of the week.

Hugs.

Rose said...

What a gorgeous dragonfly--I can see why you like it so much. I almost missed the little blue butterfly. Even after enlarging the photo, I had to look again before I saw it--what a pretty little butterfly; it really does blend in with the nigella.

As Lisa said, it's still hot and dry here. We have had so few butterflies compared to last year. Yesterday, though, a hummingbird moth landed on my porch planter. I was so excited, but by the time I ran in to get my camera he had disappeared.

Enjoy your week with the grands!

Cheryl said...

Hi Rose,

Will pop to visit your blog later. Forgive me but time is just too short.

The house 'problem' will not be resolved for a good few weeks. It has been a major problem and there is still a lot to do.
We will get there, and that is the main thing :)

Isn't it always the way. I have done the same. Seen something that takes your breath away, only to find I get my camera and it has disappeared.
Butterflies have been few and far between in my garden. It makes me feel a little sad I must confess......

Cheryl said...

Hi Lisa,

Forgot to answer spider question.

I have always thought these to be wolf spiders. I know they lead a nomadic life and only spin nursery webs, hence my conclusion.

Liz said...

Hi Cheryl,

I don't think I've ever seen a Hornet, and certainly it's coming up to the time of year to be wary of Wasps as they begin to gorge themselves on fermenting fruit and become more aggressive. Normally I am not wary of them... We had one in the house today and rather than attempting to shoo it out and risk annoying it I just caught it in a glass.

I love Autumn, but I find myself gradually loving summer more - when previously I've always much preferred Spring and Autumn. I think it's due to the recent bad winters, I just really don't want winter to come again.

Cheryl said...

Hi Liz,

I believe hornets are only found in the south and wales. Don't quote me on that, but I think that is so. They are huge, and the queen, well positively gi-normous.
They are exquisite creatures, and as I said I find them to be passive.
I put ripe fruit in a dish well away from the house. I find it keeps the wasps away, and stops them aggravating me.


I think you are like most people Liz. The thought of heading towards winter, makes them want to hold on to summer just that little bit longer. Maybe we will have an indian summer this year :)

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Oh, to feel a nip in the air! I am beginning to think it will never happen! The Emperor Dragonfly is so special. Isn't it a law that you will always need your camera when you don't bring it with you? LOL!

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
Oh my!!!! Your Dragonfly is exquisite....
And I adore the tiny blue butterfly...
Frog???? you do have much life in your garden.....Blue Tit too.
I am so happy the little Wren has made your garden his home. The birds and bugs make my days full too.
They are why we do what we do!
Wonderful fun Safari!
Have a great week.
Sherry

Susan said...

That dragonfly is a work of art...beautiful! Having wildlife visit the garden is one of the best parts of gardening.

Wendy said...

What a beautiful capture - that emperor dragonfly!! So, glad you were able to take its pic.

I thought hornets and wasps were the same creatures, just that wasps were smaller. Will look that up again. I remember looking up wasps and hornets when I found that hornet nest up in my tree a couple of years ago.

Autumn is in the air, ever so slightly. The light is changing, the air a little cooler and we have more rain. Hot and dry July is over. But, there are still many nice warm summery days ahead.

Love that little froggie. Is it Freddie?

Cheryl said...

Absolutely Susan,

Wildlife is my passion.

Cheryl said...

Hi Wendy

Hornets and wasps are the same family, only hornets are much larger.
They are quite rare now in my part of the world.

Cheryl said...

Wendy....

Sorry forgot Freddie. Who knows it could well be :)

Carole Barkett said...

Beautiful, beautiful photos. That dragonfly is perfect.