Sunday safari

 I am so pleased with the spring meadow beneath the old apple tree.     It has worked well.    I can see I shall add bulbs to this area each autumn :)

 'Harvington double pink has just come into bloom.   Her flowers are more upright than other hellebores.

 Rooks have been busy.........

 The rookery needed extensive repairs.     The breeding season is in full swing.

And finally.......I believe these are little gulls ?     Getting ready to leave our shores.    They fly over the garden each day, calling as they go.      They have been feeding in the field opposite the house.     I shall miss them........

Happy Sunday safari.

Sunday safari

You do not need a large water feature or pond to attract wildlife.    Ten years ago I bought an oak barrel, filled it with water and planted up.    I did not realise but two species of native snails were brought in on the plants.   One was the Great pond snail, the other the Great ramshorn snail.     They have grown in numbers and there is now a small colony.
This feature is also used by the birds.   A small branch placed in the appropriate place allows them to drink.
Correct planting keeps the water clear and healthy.
A nice addition to any garden.

Happy Sunday safari.

Sunday safari

 The snow arrived as forecast.   Too much snow for my liking......I do not like snow :(

 Plenty of bird activity in the garden this morning.   Pied Wagtails are present all year.    They often bring their babies to feed during the summer months.

I do not know why but these little birds always make me smile :)

Happy Sunday safari.

Sunday safari

My ears ache.    The wind feels as though it may just slice me in half.    Lying water has turned to ice.

And yet, that does not take away the magic and wonderment of it all.     Winter is bird time.

Whilst bees and butterflies sleep, birds come to the fore.

For each one I see, I am reminded this is not my garden.   It is communal, shared with any creature that chooses to live here
.

Sweet robin amongst the honeysuckle twigs.   He has been singing to his sweetheart.   Spring is but a heartbeat away.

However high a bird may soar, it seeks its food on earth...........
Danish proverb.

Happy Sunday safari.

Bee visits.....

 Whilst working in the garden today, I noticed a queen bee on the heather.     Woken from her slumber due to mild weather, nectar was on her mind.

 There are plenty of blooms around.     I know I often speak of the joys of Mahonia but it really is one of the most beautiful shrubs you can have in a winter garden.   The bright yellow blooms bring light on dark days and the perfume is sweet and intoxicating.    There were several honeys bees amongst the flowers today.

Primroses surround the old apple tree, making a pretty scene.    Thinking that Spring has arrived they are blooming away merrily.

What a strange year it has been.........my garden seems to be in a state of confusion.

Sunday safari

 The grey heron flies over the garden most days.     He even visits the pond in hope of finding something to eat.

 I am so lucky to live near a river and be so close to these beautiful birds.

As he flew over my head, I was fortunate to get an image.   It is not perfect by any means, but it does show his lovely wing structure.    I also love the pattern of his breast feathers........

Happy Sunday safari............

Sunday safari....Small copper.

 The Small copper lives for a month.

 She lays her eggs on sorrel and dock.    I have both in the garden.

I live in hope that she will use the plants :0)

Happy Sunday safari.

Sunday safari

 My father gave me this Aster a few years ago.   He could not remember her name.   She looks beautiful covered in morning dew.

 When a butterfly visits, the flower fades away.    The beauty and fragility of the butterfly is all that I see.

Some of our butterflies are in decline......they need our help.      They cannot ask, but I can, on their behalf.   

It does not matter how large or small a garden is, we can all do something to help them.
Here are some of the  plants much loved by butterflies:-

Echinacea
Verbena Bonarienses
Sedums
Hemp Agrimony
Fleabane
Aster
Sweet Rocket
Lavender
Teasel

And perhaps, if you really want to help, you could plant their host plants.    Nettles (I know, we gardeners do not like nettles) but they are the host plant for many of our butterflies.
I understand you do not want them in your borders,  but a pot of nettles in full sun could make such a difference.   Wouldn't it be wonderful if gardeners across the UK put a pot of nettles in their garden :)

I do so hope you are enjoying this unusually warm October......

Happy Sunday safari

Sunday safari

           

Sunshine, always follows rain.............




Today services will be held right across the UK to mark the tenth anniversary of 9/11.
This date is written on my heart.   It is a day I shall never forget.
I shall personally have a quiet moment in the day, a time for reflection, a time to think of those that lost their loved ones.      I shall light a candle...........I shall pray for peace.

Sunday safari....spiders and their webs.

When I was a child I always  knew when there was a spider in the house.   Mothers screams could be heard for miles :)   Father would always stop what he was doing and go to her aid.   I would follow, watching him scoop the spider up and take it into the garden. 

I learned to like spiders.    Despite the fact mother did not like them, she loved showing me their webs in the garden.   She would  write poetry about their artwork,  often with a romantic theme.

 Yesterday morning when the garden was shrouded in mist, and the sun was trying its best to come out from behind the clouds, I walked the garden looking for webs.    I was not disappointed.

The garden was full of these wonderful creations.

Spiders are near the top of the invertebrate food chain.   They are a valuable asset to any garden.

 There are many species of birds who are partial to spiders and a healthy population will prove a bonus to Dunnocks, Robins, Thrushes and Wrens.    All these species are regular visitors to this garden.

So next time you see a spider please spare it.   Just a glass over the top, a thin piece of card slipped underneath and you can transport the spider to the garden :)

I leave you with the phrase that my father would say to me each time we removed a spider from the house:

"If you wish to live and thrive,
Let a spider run alive."

Poppi and Riley know this rhyme, and both put house spiders in the garden for Mummy........

Happy Sunday safari