Very warm and humid day, temp' reached a high of 28c.
Up early to water pots and baskets. With a smoke filled garden I was unable to carry out this task last night.
Good to see another Southern Hawker emerge today, drying itself in the morning sun on the Virginia Creeper close to the pond.
Enjoyed a visit from Nigel & Lyn, staying for afternoon tea. Ideal weather conditions for eating/drinking outside. Lyn has had a very successful growing season and provided us with Cucumbers & Tomatoes.
Good night for Moths although still no sign of what I call the 'specials'.
Pictures 1 - 3 - Moths from last nights trap.
" 4 - Southern Hawker on the Virginia Creeper.
A very warm and sunny day.
After the weekly Morrisons shop it was time for a little hedge trimming. Hate disturbing the Moths who love the protection of the Ivy. Was surprised at the number of Snails that had also made the hedge their home.
Leilani and Celie had fun this afternoon experimenting with my camera and a few bubbles. Amazing images were captured, well done Girls.
Day spoilt by a very inconsiderate neighbour who lit a grass fire just as we were about to enjoy dinner on the Bandstand. Leaf Cutter Bees also pretty unhappy.
Pictures 1 - 4 - Moths from last nights trap.
" 5 - Bubbles in the air.
" 6 - Blanket of smoke from neighbs' grass fire.
Very warm day, slight breeze but temp' still close to 30c.
Other than weed the Rose border it was another lazy day in the garden watching mostly Leaf Cutter Bees and a Southern Hawker laying eggs in the pond.
Good to see Boyo, Ben and Anna. Always good to meet up for a catch up. Ben has grown somewhat, no longer a baby. For those of you new to my blog Doug (Boyo) is a good friend who has given me invaluable Wildlife help over the years and it is Doug who has inspired me in taking more interest in for instance the actions/plight of the Swifts.
Picture 1 - Wisteria stripped by Leaf Cutter Bees.
" 2 & 3 - Leaf Cutter Bees in action.
" 4 - Macro shot of a Southern Hawker Dragonfly.
" 5 - Southern Hawker resting & laying eggs at edge of the pond.
" 6 - Southern Hawker laying eggs.
Hot and humid day, ideal for lazing about the garden and admiring what is going on around me.
Southern Hawker flying about at house end of the garden, Leaf Cutter Bees busy stripping the Wisteria Tree, young Goldfinches feeding, daytime Moths - what is there not to like about a good summers day in the garden.
Did pluck up some energy to cut the lawn.
Pictures of a couple of Moths from last nights trap.
A warm and humid day. The threatened thunderstorms did not materialise, thankfully.
A very special day today, a day to remember. Due to blog restrictions I am unable to report on why it was a special day.....yet?
Something else that was special that I can report was the arrival of a Southern Hawker Dragonfly over the pond this afternoon who delighted me with some pond dipping. Such a great year for Dragonflies.
Sunflowers doing so well now, will not be the 12kg of seed collected this year as I did last, a good show none the less. I am still using 2013 seed for the birds, just over 12kg collected.
No sign of Swifts for a few days now, think that is it for 2014, but what a year? To see these special birds clinging to the box and wall earlier in the month was just magical. Swift Call packed away now until 2015.
Picture 1 - What on earth is happening.....? Can't say - yet!
" 2 - Southern Hawker dipping.
" 3 - Smallest Sunflower in this years collection.
A hot and humid day but not complaining.
Day spent on finishing touches to the Tree Hide, information sheets on the notice board etc.......?
Other than that just a lazy day sitting by the pond. Not sure what made me do it but decided on a bit of pond dipping and WOW. Glad I did. In the net over a period of say half a dozen or so dips I saw 10 Dragonfly larvae. Brilliant news and so soon after seeing Dragonflies emerge last week. Made my day. Wonderful news.
Enjoyed a meal tonight at Chris and Amy. A thank you meal for helping out earlier in the year when Chris was so ill with the infection after keyhole surgery in his leg. Chris now has a new hip and is getting stronger by the day. Enjoy your well deserved holiday to Cornwall.
Good to see John and Hilly at the dinner (parents of Chris).
Picture 1 - Family group at Chris/Amy's dinner party.
" 2 & 3 - Dragonfly larva.
Another hot & humid day broken by a shower of rain mid afternoon. Soon warmed up again giving us a very pleasant evening.
Heard and saw the Swifts very briefly, I somehow thought this was the goodbye for this year swoop by, I wonder?
In town this morning for picture framing bits and bobs for my next framing project. Still under wraps.....?
An enjoyable afternoon/evening at the Mullen's celebratory bbq attended by all the family. Celebrating as follows:
Celie - 3 Gold Medals and Diver of the tournament cup in Bulgaria.
Leilani - Bravery award at her recent Ukrain trip.
Marianne - A first after four years at teachers training course in Oxford. Graduation in September.
Lorna - 70th Birthday.
Juliet - Birth of baby Oliver five weeks ago.
Edward - First football award at just six years old.
Well done all, a well deserved celebration.
Pictures of the celebration bbq.
Hot and humid day.
Job to settle today after such an enjoyable break.
Apart from watering and enjoying a mid-day lunch at the Queens Head with Ian and Savetri I just spent day sitting in the garden contemplating where our next trip may take us?!
Heard on the news that the 47 year old Butler at Burghley House had died after being crushed by the lift. Police investigating. How bizarre?
Pictures today of wildlife captured while away at Rutland Water.
Another hot day, certainly picked cracking weather for this special birthday treat.
Before visiting Burghley House on the outskirts of Rutland Water we went for a short walk in the Village of Hambleton.
Burghley House is a stunning house with woodland gardens. Really was taken aback by the history and quality of craftsmen at this wonderful house.
Noticed our flag was at half mast, on asking we were told there had been a tragic accident at Burghley House by a senior member of staff and had died overnight. News would eventually come out we were told?
At 5pm, we called it a day after a full day here at Burghley. Time to say goodbye to a wonderful and enjoyable break with Margaret and Paul.
Arrived home at 8pm pretty tired!
Picture 1 - Just a good view captured on the Village walk.
" 2 - Burghley House (taken from the brochure).
" 3 - Queen & Prince Phillip visited Burghley House as part of their diamond wedding celebrations.
Picture 4 - Banqueting Hall, just love the ceiling.
" 5 - A tragic accident we were told.
" 6 - Me in the water garden.
Hot day, ideal conditions for Osprey spotting.
After a good breakfast we drove the short distance to Whitwell where we boarded the Rutland Belle for a trip around the water hoping for a stop close to the Osprey site close to Lyndon. Sadly, Osprey spotting was not on the agenda today as during the summer this is classed as a 'special' and only sails on certain days. I had been confused by the on-line details. Disappointed, yes but still enjoyed the trip.
Once disembarked we enjoyed a light lunch and decided that we would drive to Lyndon and walk to the Hide that has the best view of the Ospreys. A trip I did last year while at the Birdfair.
Once again a little hot for walking but hey, what a result. Grand view of both the male /female Ospreys. Wildlife Trust staff were on hand with scopes and explained what has been happening in Osprey World at Lyndon this year. Will continue to follow this pair as have done for four years now.
Paul was well chuffed as had not seen Ospreys before, day ended better than at first hoped.
A short drive back to the Finch's for a pre-dinner drink outside, a beautiful Summer evening by Rutland Water.
Pictures 1 & 2 - Whitwell.
" 3 - Rutland Belle.
" 4 - Normanton Church half submerged in Rutland Water.
" 5 - Lyndon.
" 6 - The Osprey pair, resting on this camera perch for a good 30 minutes.
" 7 - Mrs. Osprey.
" 8 - Cormorant Tree at Lyndon.
" 9 - Pre-dinner drink.
" 10 - View of bedroom balcony.
