The maximum temperature in the Charente today is 16⁰C, minimum 6⁰C. A 21km/h North/East wind with gusts up to 40km/h.
Sorry for the long blog but it is my best chance of catching up!
Arugula (Eruca sativa). Rocket. Roquette
Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) and the bee is (Andrena thoracic)...
As above.
Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera). Abeille européenne.
Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) Mésange bleue.
As above.
One of our neighbour's lambs.
Another neighbour, who breeds these little ponies that are not much higher than my knee.
Speckled Wood butterfly (Pararge aegeria) Tircis
Cowslip (Primula veris) Primevère officinale.
Daffodils (Narcissus) Jonquilles.
Dandelion (Taraxacum sect). Dandelion.
Primrose (Primula) Primevère.
Top - Sweet violets (Vola odorata), Daisy (Bellis Perennis) with a Golden Dung Fly (Scathophaga_stercoraria) and Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus acris).
Bottom - Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus), Persian Speedwell (Veronica persica). Dead Nettle (Lamium purpureum).
A spectacular sunset.
Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) Gros-bec casse-noyaux. Female I think...
As above all taken through the window...
As above...
As above,
Little Owl (Athene noctua) Chevêche d'Athéna. On the neighbours barn...
As above,
Miribelle blossom (Prunus domestica subsp. syriaca).
Japanese Quince (Chaenomeles japonica) Cognassier du Japon.
Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) Gros-bec casse-noyaux, male and a European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) Chardonneret. Apologies for taking photos on the feeder, but it was my only choice on this particular day.
Hawfinch with a European Greenfinch (Chloris chloris) Verdier.
Bridal Wreath (Spiraea prunifolia).
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) Romarin.
Cowslip (Primula veris) Primevère officinale.
Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) Gléchome lierre terrestre. I just love this little face!
Top - Lawn daisy (Bellis perennis) Pâquerette, and Japanese quince see above
Bottom - Celandine and Vinca minor - Mirabelle blossom.
Hawfinch male (see above) with a European Greenfinch.
Hawfinch male with the female in hiding.
Our house with the Mirabelle blossom natural frame.
Wall flower.
The flowers of the Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) Laurier.
Small Tortoiseshell butterfly, (Nymphalis) Petite tortue.
European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula) Poliste gaulois.
Hoverfly (Eristalis tenax) Cyrphe.
Cherry blossom.
I think this is a very young spiny toad (Bufo spinosus), Crapaud épineux, it was the size of my first thumb joint. It was taken at night, and I almost stood on it on the edge of the verandah.
As above.
So much to like about this post, as usual. The toads, blooms, that owl, the sunset, ponies, lamb, insects and always the birds. Everything! It is good to see you again!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Marie, I wish I had more time to blog but there is just so much to do here and now the garden is waking up again. At least the days are getting longer, but then it means just more time to work in the garden! I try to make sure I take at least one photo a day. Thanks for staying with me and following. Take care Diane.
DeleteHave been hearing and seeing lots of blue tits here at this time...they kinda look different than yours. The wild flowers and the cherry blossoms are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi Angie, I am sure your blue tits are the same as ours, these photos were taken in an unusual position. We seldom see them in summer they are too busy raising families, but as soon as it gets cold they are back and are constantly at the feeder. Thanks so much for the comment. Keep well, Diane
DeleteSo many beautiful photos. I'm sure you are kept quite busy with the camera when you get a chance to go out. The sunset is spectacular too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Penny, I try to make sure that I take at least one photo a day, which is why generally I have so many flower and insect photos as they are abundant in the garden! We get some great sunsets here but I quite often miss them! I hope all is well with you, Diane
DeleteI am sure that you are never behind, Diane. You just delay your fabulous pictures for a while, before doling them out for us to enjoy. It must have been great to glance out and see the Little Owl perched on your neighbour’s roof. That alone would have made my day. As always, your photos are nothing short of wonderful, correctly labelled with English, French and scientific names. Impressive! I always look forward to them. I hope that Nigel is doing a little better. Bon mardi. Gros bisous de ton ami candien. David
ReplyDeleteThank you David for your kind comments, I so wish there were more hours in the day, but then I would need more hours at night as well!! It is seldom that I do not hear the Little Owl at some stage during the day or evening, but it is a delight when I realise it is close by and I can spot at least one of them. Sadly Nigel is not doing as well as we hoped, the physio does not seem to be making much impression. N is though trying very heard to do exercises that we think should help, the physio has recommended nothing despite asking him!!
DeleteMy very best wishes to you both, keep well, and keep taking fabulous photos. I always see your blogs though I do not always comment which I should :-( Bisou mon ami, Diane
Your neighbor’s lamb and ponies add such a charming touch, making the landscape feel even more peaceful. I also admired your butterfly and flower photos—Cowslips, Daffodils, and Primroses all look so delicate and full of life. The sight of the Hawfinch and Little Owl through the window must have been a treat as well.
ReplyDeleteAnd the sunset... What a spectacular way to end your post. You really have a beautiful view of nature and wildlife there in Charente, and it’s clear that you’re making the most of it.
It sounds like you’re having a mild spring with a bit of wind, and your photos give us a lovely glimpse of what you’re experiencing. Stay warm, and I look forward to hearing more about your garden and local nature.
Take care, and enjoy the sights around you.
Thanks Melody for the kind comment. As I have got older, and since moving to France, nature has become so much part of my life in every way. The camera has become my constant companion. Keep well Diane
DeleteYou have all the B's. Birds, bees and blooms. So cool the things your camera sees.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam and good to hear from you. I cannot believe how much I missed before having a camera almost constantly by my side!! Life has changed dramatically!! I hope you are well, take it easy, Diane
DeleteLoved all the shots. Beautiful and stunning.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelly the comment is very much appreciated. Cheers Diane
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