The maximum temperature in the Charente today is 24⁰C, minimum 16⁰C. It has been raining and the garden has perked up. Rain has never been more welcome as we have had several weeks of temperatures over 30°C and up to 40°C .
South/West wind of 13km/h with gusts up to 37km/h.
In the garden Orlaya grandiflora and poppies. Plus a Nigella damascena seed head.
Graphosoma italicum - we had a lot of these shield bugs this year, I guess we will have even more next year!
These photos were taken from inside the house and at quite a distance but I was happy to see this young Great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)....
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As above.
Just a mix in the garden of Californian poppies, a rose, geraniums and daylilies.
A surprise visit from a Marbled newt (Triturus marmoratus).
A long way off on the neighbour's barn but I was happy to see a little owl (Athene noctua). I hear them all the time but I seldom spot them easily.
Caterpillar of the Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar)...
As above - quite a scary face.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) spotted outside and photos taken through the window. Thankfully it only zapped a Collard dove of which we have many. The little birds escaped....
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Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) and a Buff/White-tailed Bumble bee (Bombus terrestris / lucorum) they are not easy to tell apart, enjoying the blackberry blossoms.
A Speckled Wood butterfly (Pararge aegeria).
Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens....... This was in June just before the rains stopped.
More in the garden Daylilies, a Climbing rose, Lavender and courgette flowers.
Common Bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus).
This year we have had the best roses ever - so much rain early in the year, but not so good for the fruit trees!
Fencepost Jumping Spider (Marpissa muscosa).
Wildflower (Elecampane Inula helenium).
Hummingbird Hawk Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) or in French a Moro Sphinx.
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As above,
Climbing rose.
Bee fly (Bombylius species).
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Cricket nymph.
The last five photos are from July so I am catching up a bit!!!!!
You have captured some really great pictures of critters and flowers. That face of the caterpillar is stunning!
ReplyDeleteThanks Angie and that face is just amazing I agree. Keep well, Diane
DeleteHello Diane, thank you for sharing all these super photos. All thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI was very happy to see your post pop up in my blog feed, Diane, with its usual array of incredible pictures, along with your always precise and very welcome ID. You are a true naturalist. I just want you to sell up in France and move right here to southern Ontario. There are a couple of rural properties for sale close to us, and I am sure they would suit you perfectly. Come for dinner often. You may even bring Nigel! Gros bisous - David
ReplyDeleteLOL I have moved house too many times and although the idea sounds good I cannot see it happening. Four houses ago I swore I was never going to move house again so I will never say never 😊 I need a few rainy days now as most of the work left to do is outside work. I am trying to dig a new bed in the garden from where I moved all the wood. I think when they built the house 200 years ago, this was the place they dumped all the stones and broken tiles that were unused. I am getting a bit old to be using a pick these days - 81 tomorrow!
DeleteBest wishes to you both. Bisous mon ami - Diane
It is good to see you again. The birds were particularly interesting. I have never seen them. Owls are one species I want to see but haven’t been fortunate enough yet. The sparrowhawk is a beauty and those eyes don’t miss much I bet! The woodpecker looks like two species we have.
ReplyDeleteYou always capture such great shots of the insects and the blossoms. By the time I focus the camera, insects have flown away.
There is much to enjoy about this post. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for the very kind comment Marie and it is well appreciated. Most of my bird shots sadly are through the window, I do not have the patience (or the time) to sit in a hide for hours on end as some of my friends do. I find insects are much easier but yes they are often very fast!! Also sadly they disappear in winter.
DeleteKeep well my friend, Diane
Hi Diane - I know you're very busy in the garden and with your restoration ...but these are glorious photos ... and thank you for titling each with the appropriate subject - helpful to those of us, who are most definitely not as knowledgeable as you are. Those rose are gorgeous ... and I hope the rain has helped with the veggie ... even though the fruit won't be as prolific as is often the case. We've had the usual muddle of weather down here ... too hot at times, now it's cooling off - but I hope the weather will stay reasonable til after the weekend ... though I've thought this weekend was 'it' - but no - it's next weekend ... just Airborne this one. You're amazing at how much you achieve - all the best to you both - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThe early rains that seemed never to stop caused havoc in the garden. No cherries but we had masses of plums, no apples, the figs are late but I think they may be OK, and the quinces look quite sad but time will tell. Because the vegetable patch was a mud bath everything got planted late. We are though, bringing in masses of courgettes, haricot beans and tomatoes. The potatoes are almost ready for digging so we will see what sort of crop that produces. The pumpkins and butternuts are very late but I am keeping my fingers crossed. Chillies are mostly in the green house and are looking very healthy.
DeleteKeep well and enjoy life, cheers Diane
Found you at last. I was having trouble posting a comment but sorted now. Those red stripy shield bugs are fantastic aren't they? Good to see that your Little Owls are still around. Their population here has taken a real tumble in recent years - I had many places where I could guarantee seeing and photographing one, but not now.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite noticeable how Sparrowhawks target Collared Doves. Here too, so I think it is because a Collared Dove is relatively slow in the escape flight mode, and of course, a good size to eat! Unlike a warbler or a finch.
Thanks Phil. yes I love the red and black striped bugs, they do not seem to do that much visible damage to the garden so I let them be, but I might see more next year!! The Little Owls have been constant here, I would like to put a nesting box up on the new barn but I need a carpenter, not sure my skills would be that good. Yes it is nearly always Collard doves here, in fact I don't think I have ever seen anything else. If the sparrowhawks keep to that menu I will be happy as they multiply so fast!
DeleteVery best wishes coming your way, keep well Diane
Excellent shots as usual!
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam for the kind comment, much appreciated. Take care Diane
DeleteI'd love to have woodpeckers in my garden - although I suspect you may say the same thing about parrots! Hope all is well.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
To be quite honest I would far rather have woodpeckers in the garden than parrots. Yes all is well and I hope the same goes for you. Cheers Diane
DeleteLas fotografías son preciosas. Saludos.
ReplyDeleteGracias Teresa por el amable comentario. Cuídate mucho, Diane.
DeleteYou always manage to get some amazing shots. Those Poppies are great as well as your insect pics. Lily Bit said thank you for making her your fav cat. She just had a BAW (Buck Ass Wild) moment wanting to be chased through the house. I went after her, not really running to be a chase, but she enjoyed it and now she is crashing on the deck rail outside. Girl is a mess.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam, sorry I am not keeping up with blogs. I have love Lily Bit since the day you got her. I have enjoyed watching her grow up and as I had a horse called Hi-Lily she brings back memories. Take care and get well soon Diane
DeleteYou certainly have an eye for all bits of nature, and showing the delight of your garden. I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteThanks Yvonne, I love summer as all the insects are around most disappear in winter. Keep well Diane
DeleteYou encounter a wide variety of bugs and photograph them beautifully. The roses are lovely.
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