Maximum temperature here today 26⁰C, minimum 13⁰C. Dry. 13km/h North-Westerly winds with gusts up to 32 km/h.
The French national holiday of Bastille Day—celebrated each year on July 14, or le quatorze juillet—normally there would be fireworks and a large military parade for some, but for most, it still marks the anniversary of the storming of a grand fortress that was infamous for holding political prisoners, during the first moments of the French Revolution in Paris in 1789. Further information here if you should be interested.
As I leave home and walk down the road, the first thing to greet me is acres and acres of sunflowers,
they are just beautiful at this time of the year.
On the other side is a collection of wildflowers including poppies.
Further on looking through the forest.
At the end of our road where I do a left and a right turn next to another farm.
Quite a big herd of cattle out...
and on the other side, this family of 3 were in a separate field. The calf decided to lie down just as I took the photo!!
The dam opposite a private chateau which was surprisingly quiet. No insects and very few birds !
Further on this guy was in a huge hurry but I managed one reasonable shot as it rushed by
European Field Cricket (Gryllus campestris).
Speckled wood (Pararge aegeria).
Seven spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata).
Longhorn Beetle (Stictoleptura cordigera).
Beetle (Oedemera noblis).
Yellow 22 spot Ladybird (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata) often shortened to (Psyllobora 22-punctata).
Bees in tandem.
Little owl (Athene noctua) more photos on the bird blog.
The closest I have ever seen either of them.
