‘Frogs’ , there weren’t so many this year

‘Frogs’ ,   there weren’t so many this year, unlike last year who were leaping in masses every time we walked the garden.  I’d say 75% down from previous year.  And, those who ‘are’,  enjoy the many ‘Oak logs’ within our garden rockery, hiding in their nooks and crannies.  They leap-aside when one of our Ponies shortens the unkempt lawn.   A kinder approach to life.

Ianto with one thing on his mind, 'food' & Suki you'll see her later.

Although a few hot days, none could compare with an early morning of Monday  26^th August “Just like Summer should be with a stillness of joyous scents that stay with you forever and should be ‘bottled-up’.

Previous years I’d noticed the usual species, this year’s was void of one or two, like the ‘Ladybird’ who didn’t come to light in her favourite place in our front garden, nor in our Woodland ( blackfly had arrived which they like.)  And the ‘Burnet Moth’ wasn’t either......... but other species came forth and made-up for their loss.   Juvenile  ‘Willow Warbler’ and ‘TreeCreeper’ ....only by accidental mishaps on their part. 

Very good at 'climbing-up' but so very bad at flying these juvenile 'TreeCreepers' ......T'was still breathing so placed upon a large log next to our hedge, giving cover from predators. 

'Clever' comes in all sizes..... so good at disguising themselves, just look at this, appears to have 'no' head...can just make out the beak as turned it's head to one side having fluffed-up like a duvet. Little mite flew off soon after.

Someone I hadn’t noticed before upon our hedge mid morning, a ‘Grey Wagtail’ sifting it’s pickings through the damp., who like scrubland, rivers, marshes and lakes to find their choice of insects. A ‘Chaser’ did chance a visit to our garden pond, who I’ve never seen in the real. (sorry, no photos.)

Juvenile Willow Warbler

Twice we rescued the same  juvenile 'Willow Warbler' from off the road where moments later a fast van drove and wouldn't have seen such a tiny bird...was sure to be squashed. I heard the mother calling so tiddler was put back safe. Phewwww... the risks they take...& nearly always carry my trustee camera......so captured the safe return.

Our resident ‘Thrush’ was cleaning it’s beak from the remnants of eating a snail, under a shady tree.  Half an hour later t’was smashing the living daylights out of another from it’s shell.

Please click on photos to enlarge....

Summer rain.... falls gently whilst sunlight crosses the valley, showing off it’s varied colours of green, so refreshing and new growth for all.  Where a female ‘Meadow Brown’ butterfly was enjoying the young shoots of grass upon our one and only lawn.

A few days later an electrified ‘storm’ went off with sheets of rain you couldn’t see through!

One evening a beautiful brown ‘Patterdale’ arrived,  we didn’t know her name, only age, seven.  The previous owner had young children and couldn’t find the time for her so we took her on.  We allowed her time to settle in our home (giving her the chance to size us up first, )  then went through various names......of which she responded  to ‘Suki’ which means ‘love’ or ‘like’ in Japanese.,  and quite honestly suits the name., so she chose well.

'I trust you'

'Finally I can laugh

A rustling sound was heard by our Son, with a quick response grabbed whatever it was... a  ‘Mole’..... so sweet and cute.  He released it to the ground where ‘unfortunately’ our new rescue dog had already crushed it to death.  “Never saw that coming” !

Tuesday 13^th Aug’13 12.30p.m

Exhausted by the mid-day sun sat down upon a sand-filled builder’s bag, when ‘Bob’ came around from behind the hydrangea and cheered me on to dig some more.   With keen eyes the mighty feast began from a juvenile ‘Robin’ whilst I rested and captured him within my little black box.  I spoke throughout our connection and now seems to be a partnership born.

'Bob'

The ‘One and Only’ Painted Lady butterfly came by,  so continued the captures........whilst our Son was digging an area for a greenhouse where ‘Bob’ the young robin was joining in also.

Painted Lady 

Wednesday 21^st Aug’13

A dark sky shadowed the land where a ‘Raven’ of some size sat in a distant tree, then ‘Bob’ appeared from beneath a Hebe shrub next to our old shed enjoying the early morning riches.

Saturday 24^th August’13

Lots of tut tut tutting sounds going on in our garden and woodland, the males have started their fight for territory,  youngsters brave the scene with tails up and down, red waistcoats forming on some already, a Robin’s life can be tough for some.

Woodland youngster forming a red waistcoat

Sunday arrived with mating Bumblebees in flight, they were whizzing everywhere..... 'Union Flight' And were mostly 'Cuckoo Bumblebees' (Redtailed)

Our Woodland took on a new meaning as many Queen Bees were out mating and seemed to choose just about anywhere as were upon our log/water carrier.

The sunshine still gives us it's best as we almost close another August

enjoy 'life' get out and about with wildlife

Goodbye from Ianto

Summer at last!

Bombus Pratorum ~ early Bee

Winter had'nt long past when Autumn had stepped-in too many times,

where blossoms left sooner than should,

 with the sudden onset of high temperatures, where flora were wilting of thirst. 

Even the Bees took to undercover work, causing some to bleach from the hot mid-day sun.

Our Woodstove cracked-up on the odd chilly evening, as the wind got-up to bring Winter waves of cold. 

Where only a week before the Swallows arrived to open 'spring'.  And the rods of rain was so bad...it hurt!

May came crashing down with hailstorms where the wildlife are All exposed!

The Red Mason Bees arrived later  and their time given was shorter than usual.

Red Mason Bee of the Solitary kind.

Not the Blackbird but the Woodlark sings across the air, 

making sure All can hear,

whilst summer breeze and sunshine awaken the early morn.

Throughout the day another bird spoke,

all green with rasping sounds,

that interrupt the others from it's usual tree.

A 'Greenfinch'.

Goldfinch flock back and forth from tree to tree,

whilst I water the green food who's pleased for that drink before the sunbeams scorch the ground.

Early evening arrives when Larky whines-up to a different tune,

telling us his day was a bit of a laugh.

~ ~ ~

19th June '13  ~  Looking up....a mass of bright green caterpillars descend gently down, with the help from their silk.  After days of living in an Oak tree, suddenly surrounded us on this warm and sunny day at last.

14th July '13  ~  7.15a.m  Dew flicked-up from a Rabbits escape, any sooner could have been prey for a quick-paced Fox who had his nose stuck to another's trail.

Up to no good ~ "was it you"?

16th July '13  ~  Jewels in the mist surround me from the early morning rays.... rise-up caused by the warmth of a day.

A dry ground went 'crunch' with every step, no wonder the many Ringlet Butterflies took flight and a pair of Small Skipper weaved the air with their friendship.......along the 'Wasteland' visit.

Redtailed Cuckoo Bee 'worker'

Birdsfoot Trefoil paved some of the way where a Cuckoo Bee was hard at work.

Small Skipper

Thursday 18th July '13  ~  A scratching sound caught my attention whilst searching for the Tree Bee, it was the Leafcutter Bees......so I was able to take a short footage of them:::

Loki in 'wishful thinking mode'

Bye for now...till next time.

'Tale-end' of the Bluetits

The UK  Weather has been brutal to us all, especially our 'Wildlife' who are exposed 'day and night' !

The square of wood you see above was put there to 'stop' a Male Sparrow from bullying them out from their home.  Bluetits are much smaller than Sparrows and did succeed ownership with their tenacity.

On one occasion I noticed the 'said' Sparrow coming out from their nesting box, so drastic measures were taken by putting the extra wood above, where he would sit 'chirping' non-stop!

The same Sparrow has bullied the 'House Martins' from their nest and moved in.

Now that their 'nesting material' has created a good bed,  ready for that special moment, they enjoy the outside together.

Heading back to the 'nest'.

This was the last time I saw them together!

16th May'13 ~ Noticed no activity around their nest-box for four or five days but did hear the calls from the 'male' at the top of one of our trees.  

We've had torrential downpour, perhaps she failed her return journey, we'll never know?

21st May'13 ~  4p.m in the afternoon the male 'Bluetit' called, for what seemed like ages, from a tree near to the nest-box....No female was seen , perhaps his last attempt of searching for her.

And so from stopping over winter, trying to hang-on to their home, all was lost and so sad as their numbers are in decline.

The Good News is that the 'Bluetits' in our Woodland are doing well.

Sunday 27th Jan'13   ~  Sunshine arrived in much splendour which showered fields with it's gold, then all did arise to dry-off with a spurt, geared-up to grow as it would.

I took this capture on 9th Jan'13 looking over from our Woodland

FROG's  MATING

At least five pairs 15th Feb'13

Monday 18th February  ~  T'was out preparing the vegetable areas*

An audience of 'singing birds' came by to make the day superb, they cheered me on to dig much more, whilst Frogs were leaping and frolicking, so there was'nt a patch undug. 

Encouraging sounds from wildlife turned the fork so easily and at incredible speed....of course there was meaning to their joyful songs 'more worms'.

Saturday 2nd March  ~  A day that everyOne could almost do as they pleased......"Loki was"....he was seen climbing into the washing machine, rolling over rubbing his back,  giving himself a good massage...he twist and turned many times and found the rubber door surround really great around the back of his neck.  With lots of licking and yawning decided he'd had enough......"So now he expects the washer door open everytime he passes" because he has a routine and never fails to miss anything with sleeves or dark holes 'such as wellies'.  After all.......they are really wildlife*

Ferrets are mostly kept in small cages and surely couldn't be enough room,, plus being socially starved. 

Loki our Ferret has the freedom of our dining-room and enters the lounge, kitchen once a day for a treat...he visits the log basket for extra scratching upon the cut logs.  They are all 'curious' creatures and should be given some amount of free living., for Loki has such an amazing character, which we would never of known his full extent.    "I just wonder...if he knows just how fortunate he is."?

Monday 4th March  ~  The birds ate upper-crust earlier today, spelt bread crumbs...a discarded piece left on the edge of a plate.  Words got round, so they all want a taste.

Early evening eating crisps and 'Chuckster' arrives with his asking look.......?   he was'nt asking, he was 'insisting'! with his paw just under my chin.  I couldn't give him any because of the salt content, so tried as I might not to look at him whilst finishing them off.

Tuesday 5th March  ~  At 7.40 p.m  Dogs were arriving in from outside where the air was getting quite chilly, then  a 'Toad' arrived, looking very thin.  Our Son moved him safely, away from the path and under a log...  'MARCH  of  the  TOAD'

Saturday 9th March  ~  Where wildlife spoke of  'Spring'.....with our first 'spawn' this year.  The afternoon gave way to another surge of  'spawn' and croaking........my video below ~ be it wobbly at start.

Monday 11th March  ~  The 'Snow' is falling greatly whilst the 'Sun' broadens it's horizon.

Tuesday 12th March  ~  A sky shows off that warmth once more but oh so chilling to the bone with that biting wind hurled across one's face, looking down at frozen 'spawn'.  It was early 7.05 a.m !

By 11.05 a.m  the 'Snow' was arriving thick and fast, three seasons in one.

Its time to close till next time

Thank you

xXx

Christmas went down well with plenty of wholesome foods, and  those special chocolatey tastes.

'Himself' took this photo of Loki

December 15th'12    ~  And Loki arrived 'all claws and teeth', hopefully he'll trust us to be his new friends.  The plump little Ferret is quite a size and wears beige as his coat and probably why he was given to us., this didn't matter as our youngest Son has been longing for one.

Loki has been learning our ways as we have of his and enjoys his daily romp in our lounge but when the Woodstove is roaring away with it's heat,  asks to leave via the door he came in.  "C**an't stand the heat."
The dining-room is where he lives for now as this winter's temperatures have dropped below minus a few times brrrr **  this gave us all the chance to understand each other.

The name 'Loki' came about because we three are interested in 'Norse' ~  Loki was the seductively handsome Norse God of mischief and chaos and this suited his animal-like character.



Monday 17th Dec'12  ~  Early this morning a mechanical sound echoed from beneath one of our dressers in the dining-room.....Loki had vanished and was sweeping up the lost dust., everyOne else thought I'd gone mad as I thought the Ferret began to talk, it said "Warrior dreams", then later during the day we All heard the same sound "A Toy" !

9th January' 13  ~  took a few snaps around the Woodland early morning.

18th January' 13  ~  Awoke at 6.45a.m to a Snow blizzard***  

A female Blackbird was taking shelter under our fir tree, then every now and then pops out to see if any food?

And the Blackbirds, Song Thrush were perched exposed

Please click on the photos to enlarge, thank you.

Robin

There’s pickings in that field,

I can see them from up here and they’re not such easy pickings

As a wayward ‘Crow’ dives down,

I’ll keep tight within the hedgerow

With a coat....so  drip drip drippy

Then a ‘Robin’ comes close with a tweet

Saying it’s o.k you know...fly now my friend,

For those yummy squirmy treats,

Coz the ‘scary bird’ has gone.

And  as the sun was gleaming...others were all lined-up

Awaiting their turn to forage the ground so awfully wet.

"I am a Chaffinch"

As the day closes a flurry of small ‘birds’ scavenge for last minute morsels  then soon vanish, taking a ‘dive’ into the privet for cover......as the ‘Crows’ take flight once more.

Some birds bathe more often than others, a  ‘Dunnock’ goes in search for a tasty breakfast  along our front drive,  then goes for a dip in our ‘bird bath’....almost every day, whilst others like ‘Robin’ seem to take the occasional bath.

The hedge that surrounds our garden is ‘alive’ with ‘mammals’ ‘birds’ and down below an old nest maybe a ‘BumbleBees’ home (Queen Redtailed Bumblebee) .....whom I witnessed flying under an ‘oak log’ early part of this year.....so am hoping she’s still there making her nest.

Tuesday 2^nd Oct  -  WoW  it's gorgeous here in our part of ‘Wales’,  wonderful outside even though a little damp under foot.

Friday 12^th Oct  -  The ‘Rains’ were bad to us yesterday as ‘Robin’  looked all bedraggled and forlorn trying to sing his message with a quiver, he didn't stop long...... wildlife suffer also.  And whilst the day starts off with a clear blue sky I notice many ‘Birds’ make the most of this  opportunity to search for their morning catch....at speed!

And the day was good ‘ until tea-time when it threw it down once more with rain!

Sunday 14^th Oct  -  The day woke-up before me, a lie-in I did have, a bath, then took my time on breakfast........I peered outside to see a ‘beautiful still day’ with ‘wildlife’ enjoying it all!

Monday 15^th Oct  -  A dark day outside so lights on inside to see where I’m going.....for I'm always tripping over things!

Wednesday  17^th Oct  -  The strong ‘gusts’ are whistling up the garden path.. and the many different ‘Clouds’ are wrestling, stirring-up the ‘air in the sky’!  

 A banana sandwich for me and thee to keep our tums topped-up to help stick our toes firmly to the ground when greeting the winds.

Wednesday 24^th Oct  -  The birds were singing their beautiful songs off key, they said they couldn't see, so twirped an off key note.  T'was so dark the birds sang eerie, they said they'd wish the dark would leave and twirped another wobble !

'Ffion and Connie'

Friday 26^th Oct  -  So very dim these early morns and as the day progresses with no 'Sunshine', it has been stolen from our skies by villain clouds!  And the ‘Sumac Tree’which stands in a large garden tub, was full of ‘Autumn’  colours,  hangs-on to it’s last drooping leaves that occasionally fall to the ground.

What berries are left on trees are shrivelled and now ignored by birds, for we enter into another ‘season’.

Beyond the dark undergrowth are many other paths (the woodland wildlife habitats) that take you into different levels of woodland,  Tree stumps risen above ground..... paths that take you into a ‘glade’ where nothing grows under a  ‘beech’ tree,  and fallen limbs lay....broken off from scorn weather fronts which can rip a whole tree out from the very ground it stood.

Sunday 28^th Oct  -  Last night's sleep was disturbed by ‘Teifi Rally Race’ going through our Village every fifteen minutes, four O'clock it stopped, dreadful noise - although this time they drove a little slower because of heavy rain after dry spells but still kept us awake! Shouldn't be aloud.

Monday 29^th Oct - I managed to get some more washing dry out side, exciting life hey - It's all those animals muddy feet and woodland squelch.....  yuck !

Tuesday 30^th Oct  -  As a little bird sings it’s merry tune, I watch, listen and learn.......for wildlife are much more attuned to every aspect around them......so watch, listen and learn their ways.

Wednesday 31^st Oct  -  We're between two weather fronts and looking out across the back of our house it's looking like it could snow  but front is grey with rain now.

We didn't celebrate 'Halloween' but listened to good music instead.

Yesterday I should of had my camera at ready but sadly a no no, maybe next time for ‘Reds’ , Four sat in same tree down our lane, gosh they look good up close!.....RedKites.

Thursday 1^st Nov   -  ‘Robin’ had made himself twice the size he normally is in Summer as he stood perched upon the highest point of the ‘birdhouse’, with his feathers reflecting the most beautiful red and the wind was catching his fluffy-white feathers  whilst he stared in at our kitchen window........perhaps wondering where the gardener was....maybe?

We had ‘sleet’    brrrr

Saturday 3^rd Nov  -  Could hear the heavy rainfall fill all the holes in the garden, then stopped with a selection of clouds, which one will give us a storm?

‘Hailstorm’ and quite heavy brrrrr  then another just as I’m on return journey by foot,  having delivered ‘eggs’........warmed-up now, was rushing.

Mid afternoon ‘Robin’ flew over to the ‘Bird bath’ to take a quick dip before the next storm hit....... necessaries as ‘winter’ arrives too early, wildlife speeded-up for that ‘urgent bath’.

Fireworks should be illegal as they are legal weapons in fancy packages !!!   We heard two lots going off and then t'was silent....phew !!!  Our pets don't like them.....so think how wildlife feel.

Sunday 4^th Nov  -  The ‘GoldFinches’ returned to our garden in a large flock, sadly they don’t stop long, they were collecting their food source in a hurry......so always difficult to capture, even on film.

Monday 5^th Nov  -  Always moving to where the  ‘sunshine’ glows: so no photos of this mornings ‘bird’ antics, only words.  A young ‘robin’ flew to our side- gate and decided to view in the kitchen window  once again where I was making my breakie.......I fetched the camera as I knew he would return and he did but when I moved the camera to get a better capture.....he was for off..... Ohhhh!

Turned very cold at around 2.30pm: As the Sun was disappearing it left us with a chill, which seeped in through our clothing.....so we had to keep moving to stay warm down in the woodland brrrrr !

Wednesday 7^th Nov  -  Ash dieback detected in South West of Wales.....oh drat and more drat....worrying times ahead!

Saturday 10^th Nov  -  Now the sun has shown itself for real, a flurry of birds are out sending this news to All....... via tuneful songs......glorious outside  'thankyou Day'

Sunday 11^th Nov  -  As we drove into town along the narrow lanes, the sun shone upon the Trees  with a   blaze of colour.

Thursday 15^th Nov  -  The ‘sun’ was gleaming across the frozen field, it glistened-out for those in need of drinks, as it melted away.   I also noticed what a grand eating-up of greens ‘Bracken’ had done in the vegetable garden, “no need to dig yourself, ask a pony”.

In parts, the ground was still so squelchy as we slid along the way,  our boots were carrying an extra weight....each step was quite a feat.

Feeding time began with eager tums......some had curled-up lips whilst others croaked their joy that it was heading their way!

New ‘wellies’ and already things are attached.......awwww......An ‘oak’ leaf passenger happened by chance.

Friday 16^th Nov  - Had to ‘call’ the ‘hens’ and ask for two more eggs as I was putting the ingredients together for  ‘mini Christmas Cakes’  as the kitchen was empty of them.

The sky brought ‘ foggy-rain’ unlike yesterday, which was full of ‘sunshine’ and a photographer's dream of a day.

I now seem to be a connoisseur of Dog-Poo....yuck and no matter what I sniff it's still lingers in my nostrils...what a 'pong of a tweet' I sent across the web.... sorry!

Couldn't see how it arrived in and both small dogs tried to answer questions but no One giving anything away..just cuteness!  “We were All ‘suspects and everyone’s shoe’s were turned over and checked”.......a total mystery?

Friday 23^rd Nov  -  The day woke-up..... ‘still’....not even a gentle breeze but the sky was mixed with different clouds and a bright glow from half hidden ‘sun’........which gave off a detailed edge surrounding a large grey cloud., it hailed, it rained and then the wind got up once more.

Saturday 24^th Nov  -  Just a whiff of a breeze brings the ‘wildlife’ bunch out before the ‘storm’ arrives. The Male ‘Bullfinch’ looks extremely peckish as he tugs away at the shrivelled berries of a cherry tree,  standing almost naked of leaves.

Little bird ‘Robin’ was out with his chums twirping a distress call, telling them to eat breakie fast, at this early hour before the sky falls!

The rain crept in the hallway and soaked-up all the carpet,  then the car seats were wet to sit upon, so plastic sheet was used...........so far so good.....as not washed away.

Sunday 25^th Nov  -  Breakie time..... Just seen both ends of a beautiful Rainbow ....there was no gold as told by folk..... it itself is the 'gem' of our skies .

Wednesday 28^th Nov  -  Thankfully a DRY day Here in Pembrokeshire.. yippeee , gosh we've had bad weather for a solid month now and mostly wearing it ! 

Full Moon !

Thursday 29^th Nov  -  A huge flock of ‘Gulls’  heading for coast, just flew over house with some great excitement and urgency of a hopeful catch of fish, out at Sea.

Sunday 2^nd Dec  -  Its a beautiful morning here in the West with all different bird species feasting in and around front garden, wonderful day.   A male Bullfinch, two male Blackbirds, a Wren, the family of house Sparrows making the most of a good start as the weather is so changeable.... ‘Are they adapting’..... perhaps?

Monday 10^th Dec  -  An eerie sound eschoed through the Village......what sounded like a neighbour’s husky frantically barking and then a loud screeching took over, like a woman screaming !!!  A Vixen was baiting the dog,  she was searching for a mate and chose a husky to annoy.

She arrived the following night, Tuesday, Wednesday and early Thursday morning only to find he wasn't her type!

Tuesday 11th Dec  -  Winter has arrived with frosty mornings and chilling winds that bite your cheeks. 

And now the day is closing with the sun going down the frost continues to grow across the landscape.

There’s always a story surrounding our life

Songbird’s sing their stories to be told

Carried by the winds Up up....far and beyond

Across the boundaries, across the fields

Tuneful  songs sung loud to make their message heard

Unknown to us, for only they would know

The Bluetit acrobats are out again

Dangling from overgrown privet

With precision balance and agility keeps their foraging safe

I saw them eyeing-up the ‘nest box’

And believe they’re stopping for ‘winter’.

'Chuckie'

Have a warm and happy Christmas from us All

xXx

' Summer Past too Quick '

Tuesday 14^th August  -  Pair of ‘hoverflies’  mating in mid-air trying to follow the sun , I told them to "carry-on" ~  whilst the weather was fine. 

Wednesday 15th  August  -  Weather  just got worse with bucket fulls of ‘Rain’.  Can't see out of windows!.......this is bad but at least the pollinators had early pickings when the sun was proving a good start.

I’d gone to see who’d survived the morning ‘Storm’......

'Bumblebee'

It  returned too quick for  a solitary Green Veined ‘Butterfly’  and a  lonely ‘Bee’ whose only hope of any food was to stay outside.  A  solitary ‘Swallow’  was sweeping the gusts.

This is now Saturday 18^th August  ~  Have been indoors all week due to the torrential rain.

Theres a keen 'male' White Butterfly mating with all the 'females', who are awaiting their turn....upon the 'privet' leaves since the 'sun' came out  'quickly does it' as theres a dark cloud moving this way.

They are definitely down in numbers. Link: http://www.countrylife.co.uk/news/article/530323/Tough-year-for-butterflies.html

 Sunday 19^th August  -  Gives us ‘Rain’   Could it get any wetter outside "No" the ground gives a squelch and a splash up one's legs and fills your wellies up to the brim on a bike L

Monday 20^th August  -  An influx of ‘Butterflies’ this sunny morn  - Whites, Meadow Browns, Peacocks, Red Admirals, Tortoiseshells galore on our buddleias.

Butterflies taste with their feet. A butterfly's sense of taste is coordinated by chemoreceptors on their tarsi (lowest part of leg) and works only on contact. It is used to determine whether an egg-laying insect's offspring will be able to feed on a leaf before eggs are laid on it.

                    

                   

After lunch ..... A journey of exercise upon the 'psychedelic bike' found all the holes, with it's uneven road  lumps and bumps, the speedy tyres showering me from head to foot in mud.

Tuesday 21^st August  -  I seek amongst the shrubs for ‘butterflies’ this morn, they've gone into hiding from a cold breeze and damp sky.

10.57 a.m   Two white ’butterflies’ move through the rain whilst the sun saw a gap,  then hid out of sight 'like the other species within our garden' ohh !

It was nearly midnight on closing the bedroom curtains when my ‘eye’s caught  a ‘Barn Owl’ fly  the centre road, about three feet up, quite a sight!

'Ffion' 

  

It’s now Thursday 23^rd August  -  The morning song of ‘birds' just told me that September has arrived already with a crisp cold breeze * brrrrr

Saturday 25^th August  -  Saturday raindrops fall upon the ground, so heavy it tears the shrubs apart, hope the wildlife is ok as  can’t hear any ‘birds’ singing their ‘songs’ L

Sunday 26^th August  -  Well, well after All that nasty rain the 'Sun' arrived in All it's glory.....smiles for a good start !

Within a  shrub,  from a distance one can’t see the ever flurry of insects lives.  Often  taken for granted...the many forms of pollinators, their lives are short compared to our’s. Unyet the time they’re given to master their work creates the many foods we eat.

And later...... Link: http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=icarus  

'Common Blue'

We’d been working round the ‘camp’ within our ‘woodland’ to remove the old and unwanted, overgrown ‘nettles’.....as they’d taken over the ‘potato’ patch which would make digging them up a tad difficult to find.

After pulling old nettles up entwined amongst straggled brambles bare of fruit, am left with a fizzing knee after the thorns catapult ouch!

We sat to rest a while, then took a walk upon the ‘top field’ and found a couple of good sized ‘Toads’ which squeaked when handled......I guess they disapproved., so our Son carefully reassured them their freedom.

They don't like being handled or disturbed beneath the tin sheets upon our field.  Our Son tucked their bottoms carefully back beneath the brambles., they're there each day to say hello, in their way.

And whilst the garden was free of beings the ‘butterflies’ sunbathe along the bark paths....a pleasant sight to see...smiles.

The many Butterflies left the ground in flurries, full of  psychedelic  ‘wonder’ as I slowly walked the path.

'Red Admiral'

‘Ffion’ is an eighteen year old Pony who we’ve been looking after for about three weeks now and today’s feed gave her a terrific blast of wind.  She is a gentle pony with much to love about., even if it is a whiff on occasion.

Monday Bank holiday  -  The Rain is not as naughty as the Gusts that blew every-which-way into your face, unexpected splats of wet.

Tuesday  28^th August  -  Onions plucked from the soggy ground, peeled off old jackets and trimmed, washed and drying in brilliant morning sunshine yippee – I call this a success !

Red-kite cruising just over our garden, a glimpse of it's genius flight, then disappears into the sun from where I cannot see, then reappears once more.

'Small Copper'

Well, the fluorescent flycatchers cycle top just came off, am pleased I wore it because I'm still here to tell you my tales...smiles.

And something you don't know "the cycle ride home wasn't so mud splattered" a way to go.... ‘no Fuel’ only ‘Being Juice'.

Am gonna say something you already know "Dock leaves really do take the nettle sting away" ! love you ‘Dock leaves’.

Around 5.20p.m   Returned from second bike journey to feed animals and missed the heavy rain spell but almost run off road by a car having not seen my  loud  yellow top!  Never assume other road users have seen you.

Some ‘butterflies’ are brilliantly coloured and look as though.... just been painted, others in tatters from the ‘storms’.

'Hemp Agrimony'
it's often called: Raspberries and Cream

<Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eupatorium_cannabinum

Wednesday 29^th August   -  We woke to the beating of the rain against  the window but all is not lost at least I rescued the ‘onions’ yesterday and are now drying-out in our open shed.

11. a.m  I was out amongst the garden digging with the worms when a ‘Robin’ sang his words of wisdom that Rain was on the way and indeed it did., I had listened to him and packed away my tools.

Thursday 30^th August  -  Our ‘Sea View’ had vanished with torrential rain and the two ‘Magpies’ gave-up chase with a solitary ‘Crow’, then a ‘Rainbow’ arrived...Hope!

Friday 31^st August  -  With the Autumn waft of decomposing leaf litter amongst the woodland floor and burning Ash it feels so christmassy.

Started up the WoodStove now that it's brrrrr!

6.p.m  OUR 14 yr old Son Rescued an elderly Lady from a group of teenage yobs, whilst in town.... who held her back and harrassed her in the most vile manner 'Hero of the Day' !

Saturday 1^st September  -  Morning stroll around the garden gave me many pleasant thoughts,  even if it started bad it t'wld clear those painful one's.

Spotted my first ever ‘Common Darter’ upon our top field within ‘woodland’.Link http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/species/common-darter

'Common Darter'

Sunday 2^nd Sept  -  Am afraid the weather has given us a rainy start with a struggling sun behind thick cloud.

Monday 3^rd Sept  -  A gaggle of ‘Geese’  just flew over our house, sounding off  their trumpets as they flew across the blue sky....it  was magical.  I'd heard them arrive a few fields away yesterday.

Tuesday 4^th Sept  -  8.l3 p.m  hanging out of top bedroom window to catch this beautiful pink sky...below

A sky that was eaten away by the dark night..... not long after the capture.

Moving onto Saturday 8^th Sept  -  The ‘Sun’ was up early,  until half-an-hour later it had vanished behind a sky full of ‘fog’........A lonely ‘Gull’ stood up straight with neck stretched up high looking around from the rooftop of a bungalow....probably couldn’t see it’s ‘mate’.....a few moments later another arrived and then a third.  The threesome flew off obviously something planned and then the ‘sun’ arrived with feathered ‘clouds’.

Taken Tuesday Evening: 4th Sept.

Sunday 9^th Sept  -  As I open the bedroom curtains..... The gusts do show massive strengths that it took a neighbour's plastic bag into the air so high, it was heading for the coast , annoying !

Monday 10^th Sept  -  A case of having to wear ‘Waterproof’ clothing today......And as I moved around the ‘Woodland’ gave out a swishing-sound which sadly frightened off any hope of viewing ‘Wildlife’.

Tuesday 11^th Sept  -  In-between hand-washing and looking out to the bottom of the garden, a ‘Robin’ sat surveying the garden,  he was lying in wait for a ‘Tortoiseshell Butterfly’ who had landed just above where he was and took an immediate leap-up to catch it between his beak......a fail L   He actually touched the wing as it repelled against his nip and this is why you’ll see a ragged ‘butterfly’ with ‘torn wings’.  Have never witnessed this before amongst the hydrangeas., I can see the ‘Robins’ tactics could have worked as he almost made a meal of one.

Friday 14^th Sept  -  A nice bright start to the day, even the ‘privet’ is dancing in the breeze,  thank you day!

Sunday 16^th Sept  -  This mornings adventures were all about ‘wildlife’ eating and the dried leaves gave away the position of a bird or mammal amongst the brambles in the ‘Woodland’.

'Common Toad'

Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Common_Toad

Taiji ~  When the 'Call of the Wild' has gone silent and the Seas and Oceans are sparse of all species, who will we question ~ those of all greed!

Link: http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-849970  < this still goes on today....it's so wrong to kill a sentient species!  Please Sign petition: http://www.takepart.com/cove/takeaction?cmpid=tpnews-eml-2012-08-28-rncRveryone

Tuesday 18^th September  -  It's Common Green Shieldbug - Palomena prasina > http://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Pentatomidae/palomena_prasina.html

'Common Green Shieldbug'

Wednesday 19^th Sept  -  Brought a beautiful blue sky with ‘Robin’ telling everyone so....

I’d spent some of my day sorting out videos of ‘Wildlife’ and decided to put them out on ‘Youtube’.....

A sudden warmth came across the garden enticing many ‘insects’ which in-turn brought ‘Robin’ and his chums out to ‘feast’.  A ‘Blue Tit’ was dangling upside-down on an overgrown ‘bramble’ whilst ‘Robin’ was having an eating spree.....hopping and bobbing from one plant pot to another, they were all enjoying this time, except those being the ‘catch’.

‘Robin’ has chosen our garden as his territory due to an abundance of insects and worms amongst our plants and vegetables.   If you'd seen him with his chums, ‘blue tit’ ‘Great Tits’ ‘Wren’  So funny together, Blue tit swinging on overhanging brambles upsidedown, whilst Robin hopped and bopped along catching insects., seemed to be some kind of 'team-work' going on.

Thursday 20^th Sept  -  It rained  but it gave me the chance to see which ‘Wildlife’ arrived whilst not outside.  The ‘Birds’ seem to manage a way around  all this wet.  Whilst the garden was free of ‘beings’........’Robin’ brought his chums once again and I’m viewing from out of an upstairs window... Two juvenile  ‘Great Tits’ following one another from different nettles, Bird house was given a survey and both peeped inside the once used ‘nesting box’.   ‘Blue Tits’ swinging on the overhanging ‘brambles’ again, collecting the odd insect and a cute little ‘Wren’ making just a couple of appearances during their lunch time collections.

Saturday 22^nd Sept  -  The ‘Blackbirds’  have something to say about today  "it's blinking gorgeous outside" !

'Connie' who walks amongst us...could be for 'food'

Wednesday 26^th Sept  -  The Male ‘Chaffinch’ flaunts his brilliant flash of white amongst the dark, drab garden on this wet stormy morn, to give us a happy display.

'Small Tortoiseshells'

Saturday  29^th Sept  -  Arrived back from walking horses and three ‘Tortoiseshells’, already wrapped-up their wings... “Will you be stopping the night...Tortoiseshells”?  of course they didn't stay,  as a little exposed.

   'Blackbird' video I put together:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQlp-vNUjEg&feature=g-upl  < it was raining with patches of mist.


And of course I couldn't leave 'Robin' out of this blog......
             
                 

Autumn feels more like Winter,

With sky of Northerly gusts,

If this is Autumn, what will winter bring?

Few days are sunny nowadays,

It is surely missed,

And as the early evening is about to close,

The lengthy shadows cast their spells

For those night creatures to explore before dark.

'SomeOnes been snacking' Connie



I'll leave everyone here till next time

Appreciate you calling

xXx