The maximum temperature in the Charente today is 21⁰C, minimum 13⁰C.
20 - 42 km/h
South/West winds. 90% chance of rain. These are the first rains worth
having since April, the garden is 'cooked'!!
After a month of
heatwaves exceeding 40°C, this feels very cold!
No excuse, but 5 weeks ago I fell in the garden and broke two ribs, one on each side. This slowed me up quite a lot while doing my normal work, and the added heat did not help. I am well behind with everything!! They are better, but still not 100% so I am having to be careful
Gatekeeper or hedge brown (Pyronia tithonus) Amaryllis.
Seed pod of Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella damascena) Cheveux-de-Vénus or Barbe-de-Capucin in French.
Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis Muralis) Lézard des murailles...
As above.
Vernal Shield Bug (Peribalus strictus) I think....
Carpenter bee (Xylocopa) Abeilles charpentière...
As above.
Bronze Furrow Bee (Halictus tumulorum) on a Blackeyed Susan...
As above . Halicte dorée commune, I think in French, in other words, a Common Golden Sweat Bee.
Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) Geai des chênes...
As above.
Harlequin bug (Graphosoma-italicum) Punaise arlequin
on Queen Annes Lace (Daucus carota) Carotte sauvage.
Wild Mallow (Malva sylvestris) Mauve sylvestre ou Mauve des bois.
Yellow Loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris) Lysimaque commune encore appelée Grande lysimaque.
Two Golden Rod Crab Spiders (Misumena vatia) on a Blackeyed Susan,
Thomise variable, ou Araignée-crabe ou encore Misumène cagneuse in French.
Young chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) Pinson des arbres. It was busy having a 'set too' with another bird and hit our window (that is covered in transfers!). I brought it inside, and when it recovered, I took it back outside. It was in no hurry to fly away, but it did after a couple of minutes.
Pelargonium brown (Cacyreus marshalli) Brun des pélargoniums.
Native to southern Africa, this species was introduced to Western Europe in the late 20th century and has become invasive here. Very pretty, but sadly, it is a pest. When the caterpillars hatch, the larvae bore through the stem of the host plant, mainly geraniums, where they are typically found within the stem or flower buds. The plant stem usually turns black after being invaded by larvae. The larva feeds on the host plant, damaging the host until it enters the pupa stage. The plants will often die soon after invasion...
As above with open wings.
A young Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) Mésange bleue.
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Common Wall Lizard as above
Here endeth July Photos....... I will make the effort to get August done very soon, but we seem to have a busy month!!
Happy September everyone.
Diane,
ReplyDeleteYou’ve had a rough time of it with the broken ribs. I cracked one and suffered a lot. I can’t imagine breaking two. Healing can be slow. Take it easy, my friend.
The photos are exceptional as always. Those Harlequin bugs are quite something! Nature is incredible!
Gorgeous captures, Diane.
ReplyDeleteTe deseo una pronta recuperación. Las fotografías son todas preciosas. Besos.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that you fell in the garden...it must have been painful with broken ribs. Eat lots of meat and drink lots of homemade beef broth for a better and quicker healing. Vegetables and plant protein don't help much or at all..
ReplyDeleteThose macro shots are stunning, love esp. the shots of Carpenter bee.
Hope you get well soon, Diane.
Your macros are fantastic. I know what you mean about being behind. I took a bit of a break from many things just so I can try to catch up a bit. Unfortunately more things crop up that need to be done. Hope you heal up more quickly Diane but try not to over do things. Hugs. xx
ReplyDeleteHi Diane - I'm glad to read the ribs are healing, as you are doing: take care - they'll be 'fixed' fairly soon. It's been a challenging summer - heat wise ... but you've given us some wonderful photos - you take brilliant pictures ... I love the Carpenter Bee - well buffed up with pollen. While that Southern African butterfly brown (pest) must be a nuisance ... pelargoniums are so beautiful and usually hardy. Well done on the update ... enjoy life - and your garden is continuing to give ... I love seeing it and its occupants - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Diane: I hope that your ribs are now healing well. Cracking bones at your age is not recommended! Such a wonderful diversity of pictures here. I especially like the pollen-dusted bees, clear evidence that they are doing their work. In all the field guides and other books it is always mentioned that Eurasian Jay is extremely shy and difficult to see, yet many blogs feature it, and during our trips to Europe it has not been especially hard to find. Somewhat the same comments apply to Hawfinch. Great to hear that you are thinking in French. That’s real familiarity with the language! Hope that Nigel is doing well. Gros bisous chère Diane - David
ReplyDeleteTime flies! But your beautiful photos are timeless.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
You worry too much about keeping up. Go at a slow and steady pace and don't get stressed about keeping up. Your photos of bugs, butterflies and birds are amazing. So sorry to hear about your fall and broken ribs. Hope you are soon out of pain. Take care in the garden. Falls are the end of us in some cases.
ReplyDelete