Tuesday, July 23, 2019

23/07/2019 Very hot and not many insects or birds around. Most photos taken in the evening.

Maximum temperature today 40C, minimum 23C.  Dry.  15km/h South-westerly winds with gusts up to 41 km/h.  No sign of rain in the forecast for the next week so still lots of watering!!  Many communes have water restrictions so it could happen to us at any minute!!

Photo taken from the car on my phone.  The church in Chasseneuil-sur-Bonnieure.

Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius) on the lavender....

As above...

As above...

As above...

As above.

A very tiny unknown bug on the agapanthus.

Waiting to see what this self-seeded plant is.  The flower is small so I suspect either a melon or a cucumber.

Hummingbird hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) also on the lavender.

Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia) - I think, but it is certainly a Gatekeeper and I suspect a male.

A slightly damaged Small White (Pieris rapae) on the lavender...

As above.


See also my Bird blog 


29 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks Natalia, they are interesting insects but not easy to get good photos of. Keep well Diane

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  2. Forty degrees is a temperature not fit for man nor beast, although the poor beasts cannot retreat indoors, can they?

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    1. Depends on the beasts, but I guess most cannot get in, and if they get in they cannot always find their way out!!! It does not worry me personally, but it worries me about the birds, insects and plants that are struggling to cope. Our stone house, certainly downstairs, just does not get that hot ever. Keep cool, Diane

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  3. Too hot, isn't it? (But nice photos)

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    1. I do not mind the heat but it worries me that the creatures and plants outside cannot take cover. Hope you are not too hot up there. Diane

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  4. Hi Diane - stunning photos ... we're 29 deg C down on the Sussex coast today, 33 in London ... that 40 sounds horrendous - hope you can stay cool somehow! Lovely photos - particularly the hummingbird moth - amazing! Love the agapanthus too ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Much cooler here today only 38C !! Staying cool is easy, our stone house, certainly downstairs never gets hot. The Agapanthes remind me of Africa, we had masses of them in the garden there. Keep well Diane

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  5. Love the flowers, Diane. And, that church - one of my favorite's things to see.

    Try and stay cool; it's hot here also.

    xoxo

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    1. The weather pattern is certainly changing everywhere, Not for the good I think. Stay well Diane xx

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  6. I LOVE these photos. Sorry that your weather is so hot.

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    1. Thanks Connie for the visit and the comment much appreciated. Have a good day Diane

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  7. You make all insects look beautiful, not just the swallowtails.

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    1. Thanks Marie for the very kind comment. Have a good day Diane

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  8. I haven't seen a swallowtail in years. And you must have a lot of hummingbird moths in your area. We only see them now and then.

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    1. Plenty of hummingbird hawk-moths around when the lavender is in flower. Keep well Diane

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  9. Beautiful! I always love how sharp and detailed your photos are. Thanks Diane, enjoy the rest of your week :)

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    1. Thanks so much Denise. I hope you have a good week as well. Take care Diane

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  10. Beautiful shots especially the butterfly and insect. One couldn't tell that it was so hot there. It is quite hot here too but not nearly as hot as where you are. I didn't get to the community garden for 5 days and I was worried what it would look like. It wasn't too bad after all. I hope you do get some unexpected rains.

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    1. Our garden is struggling with the high temperature, even with watering almost all plants are drooping. Rain now forecast for Friday, I hope it happens, but not storms and hail which so often happens after a very hot spell. Keep well and take care Diane

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  11. Beautiful critters and flowers photos. Have a wonderful day!

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    1. Thanks Nancy, you have a good day also. Diane.

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  12. LOVE the shot of the hummingbird hawk-moth.

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    1. They are always a challenge to get good photos of they are so fast. Enjoy the rest of the week, Diane

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  13. Your flower and insect photos are always superb but the Swallowtail butterfly is over the top. I admire your patience so much preferring a landscape that doesn't move.

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    1. Gaelyn I am a very impatient person and the butterflies have to behave!!! I wish though that I could get sunsets and moon shots like you can. I took another set of photos of the swallowtail yesterday so will put them on next post. Enjoy the rest of the week Diane

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  14. I guess the insects and birds are all taking shelter and trying to find a cooler spot in the shade.

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    1. Thankfully we have had some rain (not enough) butit has cooled things down a bit. Cheers Diane

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  15. We've had some especially warm temperatures over this way too.

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