The maximum temperature in the Charente today is 15⁰C, minimum 10⁰C. 19 - 39 km/h North/East winds. 90% chance of rain.
Four House Sparrows, three males, one female. (Passer domesticus) Moineau domestique, in a cherry tree.
The beautiful town of Verteuil-sur-Charente.
This is a collage of the church outside and inside, including the tomb. I found this write-up today. "Seeing the profiles in the shadows of the north chapel of the church in Verteuil, you might think it was a living nativity scene. "Visit the Entombment," says the sign outside. But with its eight life-size terracotta figures—Nicodemus, Mary the mother of James, Saint John, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Mary Salome, and Joseph of Arimathea—around the body of Christ—the Entombment of Verteuil remains discreet, a sleeping beauty that doesn't draw the crowds.” It is beautiful.
Sloe or Berry Bug (Dolycoris baccarum). La punaise des baies ou pentatome des baies.
Common or Bitter chicory (Cichorium intybus) Chicorée amère.
Long-headed Poppy, (Papaver dubium) Pavot douteux, aussi nommé Petit coquelicot ou Coquelicot douteux. The daisies I believe to be Field chamomile (Anthemis arvensis).
A rare sunset. It has been so dry and hot, without a cloud in the sky, that the sunsets have just been very boring!
Garden Geraniums and a Californian Poppy.
Red Cabbage Bug, or Ornate Cabbage Bug (Eurydema ornata) Punaise rouge du chou, ou Punaise ornée.
A 2mm microscopic fly on the outside wall!! Possibly Genus Megaselia a member of the Humpbacked Flies Family Phoridae.
A wide-angle view of our hamlet waiting for much-needed rain. You can see how dry it is.
Strawberries in the making. Fraises. The insect is possibly Lasioglossum politum, one of the smallest bees in Europe.
House Sparrow struggling in the 40°C temperatures....
Trying to cool down. I was topping up their water several times a day.
Medlar fruit (Mespilus germanica) Néflier. Medlar jelly is delicious, tasting similar to quince jelly. Strange fruit, and it has to be rotting before one can cook it up.
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) Pic épeiche. At a great distance down the garden.
19/08/2025 82nd birthday
Night-Beauty or Peruvian Wonder (Mirabilis jalapa) Belle de Nuit.
Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) Lézard des murailles.
European hedgehog ( Erinaceus europaeus ) Hérisson (male) Hérissonne (female). Spotted in the dark in the garden when checking the bird feeders, so not the best photo, as I could not see what I was focusing on!!
Yet another rare sunset!
A rose bud in a cloud of smoke.
Sun Jumping Spider, the Huntress (Heliophanus tribulosus). I cannot find the French name, but a direct translation from the English would be Araignée sauteuse du soleil ou La chasseresse
28/08/2025 Our 44th wedding anniversary.
I hope you can read the labels on each of the following photos!!
Pampas grass on a windy day. (Cortaderia selloana) Herbe de la pampa.
Next month might be even slower as I am having both eyes done for cataracts two weeks apart. I will be giving the computer a break until I have got used to the idea of new eyes!! Hopefully, all will be well
Happy October to you all.
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