The maximum temperature in the Charente today is 12⁰C, minimum 5⁰C. 90% rain is forecast for today and it is raining as I type this. A Westerly wind of 31km/h with gusts up to 72km/h.
Our neighbour, Limousin calf (or I think that is what it is)
The photos loaded backwards and this sunset is 28/11/2024
and this is 26/11/2024
Garden insect Melanocoryphus-albomaculatus
24/11/2024 I think that this spook in the sky was ......
trying to blow our house down. We did not open our shutters on the roadside of the house all day in fear they may get ripped off, or at least we would not be able to hold them if we tried to open them.
Great tit (Parus major). French name - Mésange charbonnière.
Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus). French name - Mésange bleue
Calendula, Choisya ternata, Cyclamen, Calendula.
Cotoneaster, Bergenia cordifolia, Viburnum tinus, Holly,
Pampas, Bellis perennis, Rose, Lavender.
November 11, Remembrance day.......
We were at our local village at 11h00 for the Remembrance Day service, which as always is very emotional. Today though was extraordinary as when La Marseillaise was being played at the end of the service, the biggest flock of cranes I have seen this year flew over in full cry. I have never heard them quite so noisy. As the first flock arrived in formation they started circling right above us, then flock after flock flew in and joined up with them after about 10 minutes they all moved back into formation and carried on their way South for winter. What an unbelievable sight it was. It was as if all the people whose names were read out on the cenotaph arrived to say thank you.
Common Crane (Grus grus). French name Crue cendrée.
Flower Crab Spider. (Misumena vatia) Other names: Goldenrod Crab Spider.
French names: Thomise variable, Misumène cagneuse, Araignée citron, Araignée crabe.
"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet "
Chrismas Cactus (Schlumbergera).
Roses at the top and calendulas at the bottom.
Fire Salamander (Salamandra terrestris) spotted on the verandah one evening.
In French -Salamandre Tachetée or La Salamandre de feu.
As above.
Spider (Zoropsis spinimana). French name - Zoropse à pattes épineuses.
Calendula.
Carrion crow (Corvus corone)...
As above. French name - Corneille noire.
Catkins on the Hazel nut tree (Corylus avellana).
Queen Annes Lace (Daucus carota) with what I think is a Yellow Dung fly (Scathophaga stercoraria).
Eurasian magpies or common magpies (Pica pica).
French name - Pie eurasienne.
Common blackbird ( Turdus merula)...
As above or in French Le Merle noir.
Cotoneaster.
Seed heads from (Hibiscus syriacus), commonly called the Rose of Sharon.
The Tin Laurel (Viburnum tinus).
Stink Bug Halyomorpha species
Finally wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and a sparkling, healthy 2025
Love the image of the cranes. I can almost hear them in the Remembrance Day sky! The collage of blooms is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays, Diane!
Thanks Marie, the cranes were amazing but sadly I only had my phone to take a photo so not a great shot. Take care Diane.
Deletewow so many beautiful pictures of wonderful animals...and the sunset shots..so dramatic and amazing! Merry Christmas to you and your family, Diane!
ReplyDeleteThanks Angie for the kind comment wishing you all the very best for 2025. Cheers Diane
DeleteGreat set of pictures. I'd love to find one of thoses salamanders. Our skies have been dramatic this week, but unfortunately the drama has been caused by large bushfires elsewhere in the state. Summer brings its own stresses here.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a happy Christmas / Holliday and Great New Year. SM - Melbourne
Hi Stewart, I have seen these Salamanders quite often, but not many this year which is strange as it has been very wet. This fellow was on the verandah late at night and I had turned on the outside light to shut the shutters and the door. Yes bushfires are not generally a big problem here but I know what they are like over there. Have a good Xmas and all the best for 2025, may is be a great year. Cheers Diane
DeleteHi Diane, I enjoyed all of your photos. I'm not sure what happened to me as one of your followers but now I understand why I haven't been notified of your postings. I appreciate you taking time to find me to wish me the best of the season. I wish you and Nigel the very best too. Will you be staying in France this year or going to England? I'll try to go and read your older posts so I can catch up with your news. Have a wonderful Christmas. xx
ReplyDeleteA few people have vanished off my list but it only dawned on me today that I have not heard form you for ages and I went looking!! We will be in France, no family left in the UK now. Nigel's only sister lives in Australia and I have no family left. Take care and happy holidays and all the best for 2025. Diane xx
DeleteI note with great pleasure, Diane, that you have started adding the French names to your pictures. For several years I used to keep my field notes in French since it compelled me to learn the French names for everything, especially the birds. We are, after all, a bilingual country. I am happy that the storm did not tear the roof from your dwelling. Recently, in strong winds here the car door was almost ripped from my hand. All your pictures are of wonderful clarity, and I am especially struck by the gorgeous salamander. The only one I see around here is Eastern Red-backed Salamander, a very dull cousin of this handsome man-about-town. What a pleasure it has been to get to know you over these past several years. What a bright spot in my life. May I wish for you and Nigel all the very best for the holidays and a wonderful New Year. My greatest wish would be that you would come to Canada instead of Africa, but that’s not going to happen! Gros bisous chère amie, Diane. David
ReplyDeleteThanks David for those very kind words much appreciated. I cannot always find the the French names and I am not sure how many people are interested but good that you are. I love these Salamanders, sadly we seem to see a lot on the roads squashed as they are such slow movers. Our trip this year is sadly going to have to be postponed - Nigel is having back problems and we hope to get him to a surgeon in the New Year ASAP, It looks like it might have to be in Bordeaux so a longish drive from La Rochefoucauld for us. Fingers crossed it will go well. Comme toujours, bisous mon ami. Bon Noël et bonne année 2025
DeleteThank you for another marvelous post Diane. So much to see and enjoy. I particularly found the Remembrance Day ceremony very poignant. Wishing you both a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise, the Remembrance Day was incredible, there were a few tears around. Happy 2025, Diane
DeleteI would have shed a few tears also :) Happy end of the week to you!
DeleteMe ha encantado tu reportaje. Felices Fiestas y Feliz Navidad.
ReplyDeleteMuchas gracias y te deseo un maravilloso 2025.
DeleteHi Diane, stopping by again to wish you and Nigel a very Happy New Year. I'm sure you are looking forward to your trip to Africa. I wish I could join you but will get to see things through your photos. All the best and safe journeys. xx
ReplyDeleteThe trip is sadly cancelled as Nigel had done something to his back. Waiting on MRI and surgeon for some answers........ Take care Diane
DeleteHappiest New Year! Loving your cow pic. They have the saddest faces and I just want to hug them.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos as usual. Love that little salamander!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. I also love the salamander, this was the first one that I had seen this year when I had time to grab the camera. Keep well Diane
DeleteHi Diane - lovely to see these and to catch your news - I do hope Nigel's health can be solved and you'll both be easier soon. I'll be thinking of you both as this year moves along ... take care - your photos and view of France are wonderful - I always love seeing them ... cheers and a very happy, peaceful and successful New Year - Hilary xo
ReplyDeleteThanks Hilary, health problems here used to be speedy but sadly they have slowed up recently. N has X-rays, but MRI was very busy and that can only be done April 21 then he sees the surgeon 5 days later. Happy 2025 to you Diane
DeleteBeautiful post
ReplyDelete