Monday, June 18, 2018

18/06/2018 In the garden again.

Maximum temperature today 23C, minimum 14C.    Rainfall 1 mm; 9 km/h North Westerly winds with up to 30 km/h gusts.
Total rainfall since 1st January; 645 mm.  Rain was around a bit this morning, but it has cleared up now and we have been promised a good week, hope the forecast is right!

My first agapanthus in flower.  We used to have masses of them in the garden in Africa so I am happy to see this one in France.

Beefly, bombylius species.

Plenty of young figs on the two trees.

The hazelnut tree is loaded.

Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina).

Medlars, or Nefle as they are called here. (Mespilus germanica).  It makes fabulous jelly, but a bit of a hassle to do.  Guess though I will be making it this year as the quince tree appears to only have one fruit on it!!!  The medlar jelly tastes quite similar.

Mushrooms on the lawn plus spider...

Think this fly was being quite brave, on the other hand, I think the spider thought it might have been a bit big though it did move in 😉

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)...

As above...

As above.

Mrs Sparrow on the stone owl...

(Passer domesticus).

Just after 10 pm last night, the setting sun and the crescent moon.


N.B. My bird blog is updated  HERE 

Part 13 of the birds seen in Africa.

32 comments:

  1. The picture of the spider and the fly looked like the spider was trying to lure the fly with whatever that long dark thing is. I immediately thought of children tying a wallet to a string and pulling it when someone would stoop to pick it up.

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    1. Not sure what that dark thing is, nothing to do with the spider but it gives rise to your great imagination :-) Have a good week Diane

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    2. I think the dark thing is a blade of grass.

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    3. Yes, I think you are right.😏

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  2. Love your photos...especially the sky with the setting sun and the moon. What a lovely capture.

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    1. Thanks Karen and good to hear from you. Hope all is well, Diane

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  3. Whenever I read your blog I am impressed with just how much you see and photograph. It makes me wonder about the organisms that so many people miss simply because they don’t look closely enough, and I am sure that most gardeners are completely unaware of the richness all around them. I hereby appoint you Diane the Undaunted, Insect Watcher Extraordinairre de la France. And that doesn’t even take into account your jelly making prowess!

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    1. Wow David what a fantastic compliment. I do look for things in the garden, but I don't always find as much as I hope. This year has not been easy to find any wildlife, cooler and too much rain. Even the lizards seem to be fed up with weather here in France at present. I hope the rest of this week maybe easier, we are out quite a lot though, so not so much time for photography. Many thanks and so glad my small effort is appreciated. Diane

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  4. I would love to grow figs. Not warm enough here. Envy!

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    1. We have two trees Marie and they are always heavily laden. I make fig jam and chutney, and I dry several bags full as well. We love them. Wish I could share some with you. They are best though eaten warm straight off the tree :-) Enjoy the week Diane

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  5. Beautiful image. I agree with David that you do see and photograph a lot. Believe me, I'm looking, lol.

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    1. Thanks Penny, your comment is more than appreciated. Take care and have a good week Diane

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  6. Lovely, lovely Diane!

    My sis in law gave me some Agapanthus to transplant here. Hoping they make it as, yes, they are beautiful! The fig reminded me of my mom; she used to make fig preserves - oh, so very good. :)

    xoxo

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    1. Sally we have figs all year round one way or another, jam, chutney, dried etc. Welove them as well. Take care Diane xx

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  7. BEAUTIFUL shots...love the spider shot going after the fly! COOL.

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    1. Ha ha Pam, when I took the spider I thought you would appreciate that shot, seems like I was right. Enjoy the week and take care. Diane

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  8. As always - great shots! Your camera is amazing.

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    1. Thanks Pam, I also think my camera is amazing :-) Enjoy the week Diane

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  9. Always impressed with your exquisite macro photography. Real smile bringers, thank you Diane and enjoy the rest of the week :)

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    1. Thanks so much Denise, glad I can bring a smile to your face. Hope you are well. Diane

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  10. everything looks so amazing up close when you can see all the details. How on earth do you get butterflies to sit still and pose for you?
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Ha ha. they do not sit and pose ever, just have to be quick when they stop to take some nectar. Keep well Diane

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  11. Great photos! Love the beautiful flower!

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    1. Thanks Nancy I love Agapanthus and have not had one since I left Africa so this is quite special for me. Hope you are well Diane

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  12. Beautiful images Diane, I have a stone owl exactly the same as yours, sad to say I have never seen a sparrow landing on it, I would love to! The Agapanthus are lovely, I am determined to have a bed full of them this summer.
    P.s. still coughing :(

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    1. My cough semed to bee asing off but last night I coughed the whole nght!!
      Must get some more agapanthus, they seem to be growing quite happily here despite being drowned with all the rainfall we have had :-) Enjoy your Sunday Diane

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  13. Sorry to hear about your quince tree. I do like that flash around the hazelnut.

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    1. The quince was so heavy with fruit lats year I could not give it all away, this year it is getting its own back! Enjoy your weekend Diane

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  14. Very pretty! Well, except for the flies, but they are well photographed.

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