22/07/2020 Random photos from the garden

Maximum temperature here today 31⁰C, minimum 19⁰C. Dry.  14km/h North-Easterly winds with gusts up to 31 km/h.

Scarce swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)...

As above...

As above...

As above...

Seen in Chasseneuil while out walking - Magnolia (Virginiana-Swamp-Laurel).

Hummingbird hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum).

Silver Washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia)...

As above.

Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis Muralis) this guy went through the hole at the bottom of the door.  It then obviously found a large healthy meal inside.  This caused it to get stuck on its way out as it was too fat!!  This was visiting a friend,  not our door.  All our doors and window are oak.

Poppy (Papaver rhoeas).

Granny Smith - we have 2 trees.

Mirabelle plums - 4 trees.

Broad Bordered bee Hawk-moth (Hemaris fuciformis)...

As above.

Butternut Squash, I have counted at least 16 under the leaves.

Haricot beans.

Beetle Longhorn 8Spot Hornet  Beetle (Leptura  aurulenta).

My local list of wildflowers. (89 Species 20/07/2020)

See also my

 Bird blog

16/04/2017 Yesterday there was an Equestrian event at our local village and we went to have a look.

Maximum temperature today 16C, minimum 9C.   Dry other than a couple of drops that did not register in the gauge; 6 km/h South Westerly winds with up to 12 km/h gusts.

Total rainfall so far this year now 437 mm.

Not sure what breed this is but one of the cart horses and what a beauty.

I think that these two are Percherons.

  

Possibly a Friesian with a very young foal...

As above...

As above.

Horses and cart. 

Two horses working on a long rein.  This method used to be used a lot in training, but I have not seen it in use for a very long time, maybe it is coming back into fashion

Two ponies waiting to take children for a ride happily giving each other a scratch with their teeth. 

This little skewbald was hardly bigger than a Shetland, but the children were enjoying going for a ride as you can see by the happy face.

Horses and cart.  A dun and a chestnut not sure what breed.

I was captivated by this nanny goat, she was so good-natured and the children were queuing to go for a ride...

The happiest goat I have ever seen...

she really was adorable and I gave her a scratch behind her ears and she loved it.

Three ladies dressed for the occasion outside the 800 year old village church.

I showed this house a few weeks back covered in scaffolding.  Looks like a job well done and the facade looks excellent.

Loved this magnolia which was next to one of the barns.

N.B. My new bird blog is HERE 

Part 4 of the birds I saw last year in Africa.

17/04/2017 I went for a short walk, but the usual - too many photos!!! I will spilt them over a couple of days.

Maximum temperature 17C, minimum 3C. 18 kmh NE wind.  Dry.

Broad-bordered Bee Hawk Moth (Hawk moth family).
Hemaris fuciformis. (Sphingidae).

The long and the short!

Now do you think he can see anything!

Silene vulgaris, the bladder campion or maidenstears.

Wild bluebells.

Cow Parsley and bug.

Dandelion clock.

Daisies.

Wild orchids.

Fancy front door,

Fern,

Magnolia.

Inquisitive lamb.

Donkey, as I walked way he went into full cry!!!

14/04/2015 Scrabble at Vitrac today, I walked around the village to admire the place once more and the beautiful blooms around.

Maximum temperature 26C, minimum 8C. 20 km/hr SE wind. Dry.