Last night as I was getting ready for bed Mr Practical shouted "Quick come down, there is something in the garden, you must come and see it." Half dressed, I rushed downstairs, and into the garden. "Look" said Mr P "it's a glow-worm". Now this is exciting. They are quite rare now, so to have one in the garden was amazing. They are a relative of the tropical fireflies. The femail emits a light to attract the male. This bright yellowy green glow can be seen from quite a distance. I shall be out tonight looking for those magical fairy lights.With a happy heart I trotted off to bed. I opened the bedroom window, looked out, low and behold, a hedgehog was walking across the front garden. Cheryl was very happy last night.
The carder bees have returned....they havn't been around for a while......
and this happy bumble, seems to be enjoying swinging back and forth on a scabious flower. Hold tight now.
The holly blue has arrived, this was not a good image but
this was much better. Such a pretty butterfly.
I have three holly trees in the garden, two female and one male. 
And the best news yet, the blue tits have left the old water pump today. Above and below are one of the little fledglings who stayed a little longer than his brothers and sisters.
How cute is that little bird.
This cranesbill has been flowering for around four weeks now and still going strong. Such a vivid blue, I really like this plant.
Agastache is another favourite bee bloom.
Self-heal, a lovely wildflower, also a favourite with bees. This I know has many medicinal properties, but I will leave that to the experts....Hedgewitch and Naturewitch spring to mind.
And the wonderful verbena bonariensis is just opening her buds. I love this tall willowy plant. It has such strong stems, so it does not need staking. It blooms all summer long. In the moonlight the colour is amazing (grow one and find out).........it is a magnet for bees and butterflies. To finish, leave it all winter, for added structure in the garden....when the frost hits it, or a spider spins a web between the stems, you will have your own mini work of art. Can you ask more of a plant??Well have a great weekend, hope the sun shines on you all.
12 comments:
Cheryl, I thought glow worms were mythical creatures. How wonderful for you to see one. The baby bird is just precious. He has such a downy soft look-just like a baby. The holly butterfly is beautiful. And of course your flowers are to die for. So glad some of your bee friends are showing up.
I got my bee info today from the 'Great Sunflower Project' When they bloom, I am to note time of day, temp, how many sunflowers I am watching and type. They listed honey, bumble, carpenter and metallic green bee. I am to watch for 30 min. or until I have seen 5 bees. I am going to have to go online and print out pictures of the different kinds of bees so I'll know what I am seeing. Can't wait til I have sunflowers in bloom. Oh-I'll be thinking of you when doing this! Wish me lots of blooms and some luck.
Amazing to see a glow worm, I don't think I have ever seen one. Love looking at your blog, thanks, BW Goosey
Dear Cheryl,
A Glow Worm!!! How very exciting.
I have Fireflies every summer but I have never seen a glow worm. I will "google search" to find out more. Hedgehog too came visiting. Your gardens are a safe haven for so many critters.
I loved all your pictures! So many flowers in your gardens. I too grow herbs and am just now needing them for healing. Your bees are a delight!
Littlest sweet bird...
Mother Nature has so many wonderous sights it is hard to be inside.
Ahhh...
Happy weekend,
Sherry
A hedgehog. I do envy you the wildlife in your garden. I would love to see one of those dear little creatures. I have always read about glowworms but I don't think I have seen a glow worm. Hmmm
You are having a fantastic weekend already. Cheers...
Cheryl, We have lots of fireflies in the summer--we call them lightning bugs. I've seen a few already, but they really come out in July and August. My grandchildren like to catch them (and then we release them, of course). I doubt if I can get a good picture in the dusk, but I will try.
While traipsing through the flowers today for photos, I noticed so many different kinds of bees--wish you were here to identify them for me!
Have a good weekend!
Hi Beckie....how wonderful of you to do this bee watch...I am so impressed with how you have involved yourself with the bees....I wish there were more like you. I to have ongoing projects for the bee and have signed up with various organisations.
May your blooms be bountious as a reward.
I am storing seeds for you and Rose......I will send them to you in the autumn sometime. If you don't need or want them you can pass them on to friends or family.
Have fun my friend.
Hi Goosey.....I am so lucky to see the glow worm. They have been in the garden a few years now....I am always amazed to see them back.
Have a great weekend.
Hi Sherry.....Isn't nature wonderous....just as I think "why am I doing this" little creatures appear, just like magic, and I know the answer.
Always a pleasure, hope that your herbs are leading you along the path of recovery.
Have a lovely weekend......
Hi Lisa....I to love hedgehogs, they are delightful little creatures. We had two hoglets as well one year and they are just the cutest little things I have ever seen.
We have a hedgehog hospital here Mrs tiggywinkles.....there are so many hedgehogs that are injured or killed on our roads....this wonderful charity helps them back to good health and where possible releases them back to the wild.
How wonderful Rose fireflies....I tried to photograph the glow worm and gave up in the end. But I had the priviledge of seeing it and that is all that matters.
So good to hear that you have so many bees...It does my heart good to know that people are noticing them now and realising how important they are. I am proud to call you a blogging friend.
Have a wonderful weekend, and may the sun shine on you.
Hi Cheryl
Self-heal is a traditional wound healing plant in Europe and is used to treat gall-bladder and liver disorders in China. It is also a general tonic and can be used for both internal and external wounds, as well as sore throats and tonsilitis.
Mrs Grieve says that the best time to harvest the herb is "when in best condition in mid-summer", so that must be soon for you. She also says to prepare an infusion made from 1oz of herb to 1 pint of boiling water and drink a wineglass full as a general strengthener.
As always, anyone wanting to use herbs, should consult a professional herbalist.
love and light
Thank you naturewitch, I am grateful for that.....so interesting. Natures medicine box.
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