Thursday, July 13, 2017

13/07/2017 The return again of the hoopoes!!

Maximum temperature 24C, minimum 13C.   18 km/h NW winds with 21 km/h gusts. 1mm rain measured this morning.  Drizzle on and off all day with grey skies.  I hope it does not upset the Bastille Day celebrations which start this evening.  We have decided, weather permitting, we will celebrate tomorrow.
I managed 5 hoopoes (Upupa epops) in one photo today...

Looking over its shoulder...

Just looking...

As above...

Looking for bugs...

Showing off the head dress....

and an angry discussion I suspect.

Ladybird.

Blackbird juvenile. (Turdus merula).

The Zinnia still has not opened properly in this damp weather.

Spring onions, courgettes (zucchini) and rhubarb.

Courgette chocolate chip cup cakes :-)

12 comments:

  1. Your Hoopoes are truly quite amazing.....and those cup cakes don't look too bad either!

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    1. I am enjoying the hoopoes while I can, I have never seen so many here before. I have yet to taste the cakes but Nigel says they are good :-) Cheers Diane

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  2. Diane, the little cakes look splendid, and I love seeing the Hoopoes and Ladybug!

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    1. It is that time of the year Linda when I have to think up as many recipes as I can for the zucchini! The hoopoes are a delight to have in the garden. Hope all is well Diane

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  3. Yummy....that looks great. Chocolate, now I want chocolate! Great pics.

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    1. Pam I doubt if they are on your diet list, but they do have lots of zucchini in them which makes them healthier than most chocolate cakes!! Keep up the good work that you have been doing Diane

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  4. Lovely post, Diane. I am enjoying the photos very much. I love it when they show off their beautiful head dress. I don't know how the rhubarb tastes like. The chocolate cup cakes look good!

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    1. Nancy I am surprised you do not know rhubarb, it makes a great dessert and although it is quite sharp, a very small amount of sugar solves the problem. It is great with ice cream or made into a crumble. Diane

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  5. Hoopoes are the most unusual looking birds, your shots are fabulous Diane, enjoyed the commentary too �� Yummy looking Cup cakes, are the veggies home grown? Happy weekend!

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    1. Grace they seem to have characters as well watching them! Yes all home grown, we are a bit overrun at the moment with veggies so I am going to have to start dehydrating and bottling as the freezers are full! Parsnips, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, chard,spring onions, courgettes while pumpkins and beans are not ready yet. The plums will soon be ready as well and we have 7 trees!!!!! Everyone grows their own so not a lot of chance of giving any away :-) Wish you lived a little closer. Happy Bastille Diane

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  6. Wow Diane , I thought you had only seen one Hoopoe but 5 is amazing, great capture as usual and a colourful post xx take care xx

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    1. Anne there was actually six, mum and dad did a good job of raising 4 chicks. Just could not fit them all into one shot! Have a good week Diane xox

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