Maximum temperature today 27C, minimum 11C. Dry. 16km/h North-westerly winds with gusts up to 35 km/h. We had 20mm of rain over the weekend, it helped cool things down, but we need a lot more for the gardens and farms.
The return of the Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius) on the lavender....
As above...
As above...
As above...
Small White (Pieris rapae).
Common blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) male...
As above female...
As above...
Now I am not sure as these next two look so similar but different!! I think they are both Gatekeepers (Pyronia tithonus), but I would be happy for someone to correct me if I am wrong.
see above.
Crab spider with what I believe to be a Meadow Brown,
As above, yummy dinner!
Bee in a hurry...
As above,
Hummingbird hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum).
Stargazer Lily, the sun has sadly burnt all the other Lilies!
A few veggies from the garden. Potatoes, tomato, carrots and courgette.
See also my Bird blog
Your pictures are impeccable, Diane. The sequence with the crab spider and the Meadow Brown are quite remarkable. It is amazing what we can see with a little patient observation.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliment David much appreciated. I have caught the spider in action again today so watch this space. Keep well Diane
DeleteMy garden is producing finally. Your produce looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteThe butterfly photos are gorgeous!
Marie our garden is very late this year and I hope we can reap all before we leave for a long holiday in October. It is good to see the butterflies around. The lavender is one of the few flowers that have survived the high temps so they are all heading in that direction. Stay well Diane
DeleteI agree with David wholeheartedly Diane, your photos are as he says. Always a pleasure to visit.
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise for the kind words, always appreciated. Keep well Diane
DeleteSubliem. Love the butterflies.
ReplyDeleteThanks Aritha, love to hear from you. Hope you and the family have a great week, Diane
DeleteFabulous photos once again. The temp looks perfect on this day.
ReplyDeleteYes Diane the temperatures have much improved with the drop of rain we have had but they look to be rising again!! All the best t'other Diane
DeleteHi Diane - stunning photos ... I'm glad you've had a little rain ... we seem to have had swamps of it in places ... but as you say desperately needed. Changing weather around here - cool and cloudy right now. Can do without that heat ... yet I guess in a few months I'll be wishing it was back - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary we could certainly do with some more rain. A few light showers today but so far nothing that is showing in the rain gauge. I would still rather too hot than too cold!! Enjoy your day Diane
DeleteSo pretty as always ☺
ReplyDeleteThanks Natalia, hope you have a good day Diane
DeleteYou create 'magic' Diane with your camera! On top of that, you know all the names that you photograph!
ReplyDeleteLove these.
xoxo
Haha I do not always know the names but I try. Thanks for the kind comment, keep well Diane xx
DeleteP.S. I forgot to mention your veggies; everything looks good. Yum
ReplyDeleteThank you, they are yummy, so much nicer than shop bought. Diane
DeleteButterflies, bees, and flowers are all beautiful. That is abundant harvest!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nancy despite the lack of water the garden is looking reasonable. have a good day Diane.
DeleteThe stargazer lily is stunning.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful, but the hot weather did it no good this year I am sad to say!. Hope all is well Diane
DeleteWOW....Beautiful. Love the ones of the first butterfly so much. I could always do without spiders though. Great job there lady.
ReplyDeleteI also hate spiders but this one is very small and interesting 🕷 😉 Take care Diane
DeleteOnce again, stunning photos of the butterflies. Nice to be already gathering from the garden.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had of planted earlier, but due to the weather and being away for a couple of weeks in May it did not happen. I hope we can reap all before we leave for RSA. Hope all is well, Diane
DeleteGorgeous butterfly shots Diane. That's a hearty group of veg you have there. 27C is a pleasant day, but I know what you mean about the rain, summer rain is the best. Hope you are both keeping well ✨
ReplyDeleteThanks Grace. The vegetables are starting to look up despite being planted later than normal. We just need a bit more rain and then they might do even better at least they are not getting burnt at the moment. All well here, hope the same goes for you. Diane
DeleteWonderfully uplifting photos, Diane. The Scarce Swallowtail is an absolute stunner - I well remember my excitement at first sighting of one of these, on the eastern end of the border between France and Spain. As for the Humming-bird Hawk-moth, it must have taken some patience to capture that - they're not easy! Take good care - - - Richard
ReplyDeleteDelighted to hear from you Richard and I hope that you are feeling better. The swallowtails are just so beautiful and it behaved pretty well for me to take photos. The hummingbird hawk moth is pure luck.
DeleteI hope that you are on the mend and keep improving, just take your time. Very best wishes Diane
You seem to do very well with the names. I couldn't even get close.
ReplyDelete