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Post by Ladygardener on Mar 10, 2014 7:56:35 GMT
How fab, Geranium. I've not seen any at all. I think it's been too cold here although Jenny has seen a few. |
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Post by Geranium on Mar 11, 2014 6:31:49 GMT
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Post by andy on Mar 11, 2014 20:08:23 GMT
At work this week  |
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Post by Rosefriend on Mar 13, 2014 5:43:34 GMT
I do love Jays andy but as I have said before they make a hell of a racket - similar to Magpies...good shot there.. RF |
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Post by Rosefriend on Mar 23, 2014 9:02:42 GMT
Had a lovely surprise this morning when I looked out of the kitchen window - there were 4 Haw Finches across the road..4 - I have only ever seen them singularly... I managed a few pics on full zoom - nothing fantastic but I am pleased that I managed to get some as they are sooo skittish !!    On this one you can just see another one to the left..  This really does show the difference in size to a little Chaffinch...look at the size of their beaks!!  RF |
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Post by Ladygardener on Mar 23, 2014 9:17:01 GMT
I was thinking when I was looking at them that they're a good bit bigger than the Chaffinch because of the size of them against the blue flowers in the borders. Thanks for posting the pics especially that last one so we can see just how big they are. What a lovely sight Rosefriend. |
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Post by Ladygardener on Mar 23, 2014 12:08:32 GMT
 This little guy was sheltering in the flower pot. I left out some honey as a bit of a snack, I think it had some before it moved on. |
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Post by Tig on Apr 10, 2014 10:17:21 GMT
Normally elusive it was wonderful (if a bit gory at times) to watch a sparrowhawk devouring its prey yesterday, aptly using next doors bird table as it's feeding ground! It was so watchful, but I got quite a few snaps through the window .... look away if you are squeamish though!  and after finishing off its meal it was ready to take to the sky again  |
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Post by Jilly on Apr 10, 2014 10:28:51 GMT
Well caught Tig  they are beautiful birds close up aren't they & afterall I always think it is nature & they've got to eat too. At least it was only a little bird, when I had one in my garden it ate a whole pigeon I was clearing up feathers for weeks  |
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Post by Ladygardener on Apr 10, 2014 15:14:08 GMT
Thankfully there was nothing squeamish there Tig  for catching the Sparrowhalk 'tho. The 2 Magpies who have built a nest in the trees opposite me are swooping down on the pigeons and starlings as if to attack them, sometimes when they're in my garden. They don't seem to go for the smaller blue tits and robin and chaffinches 'tho thankfully. |
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Post by Rosefriend on Apr 10, 2014 15:38:43 GMT
Well caught Tig they are beautiful birds close up aren't they & afterall I always think it is nature & they've got to eat too. At least it was only a little bird, when I had one in my garden it ate a whole pigeon I was clearing up feathers for weeks Well done you, good shots - gorgeous birds actually - we often hear them here and a quick looksy but off they go before I can get to the camera...!!  RF |
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Post by Tig on Apr 10, 2014 22:24:51 GMT
When the sun hits their chest the bands are like gold - like on this pic, unfortunately it was looking away from me - thanks for the noms, lucky it just decided to eat its catch on the bird table and OH spotted it!  |
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Post by Ladygardener on Apr 12, 2014 5:07:05 GMT
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Post by Rosefriend on Apr 12, 2014 6:00:33 GMT
Those wolf spiders are huge things and it is a situation that I would start off being very brave, as long as there weren't too near, and end up a gibbering idiot, nervous wreck and jumping at the slightest movement...they would probably have to call the men in white after a couple of weeks!! RF |
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Post by Ladygardener on Apr 12, 2014 6:38:16 GMT
Those wolf spiders are huge things and it is a situation that I would start off being very brave, as long as there weren't too near, and end up a gibbering idiot, nervous wreck and jumping at the slightest movement...they would probably have to call the men in white after a couple of weeks!! RF I could'nt be anywhere near them, I'd be having nightmares and the heebie jeebies Rosefriend. |
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Post by Rosefriend on Apr 30, 2014 6:56:46 GMT
Got an early morning surprise in the bedroom today... Woke up and as usual looked out of the window to see what the day was like (window was fully open last night as it was warm) and saw something on the windowsill, closed my eyes and decided that I could have a few more minutes and then realised that the "something" on the windowsill was alive and it had moved and that it was also rather large... Panic......then realised that it was only a Cockchafer/May bug....got OH to shift it but got a couple of shots first...   RF |
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Post by andy on May 1, 2014 16:30:18 GMT
In the rockery yesterday waiting for dinner !!!  |
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Post by Tig on May 8, 2014 19:24:29 GMT
No idea what type of caterpillar this is, it was over 2" long, but I left it in the hesperis matronalis as it looked close to pupating  |
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Post by Rosefriend on May 20, 2014 9:57:20 GMT
That's enormous Tig - did you ever found out what it was?? We have fun this morning....our large 4m parasol at the back of the garden has been covered up for around 3 weeks due to the lousy weather. As we are in for 29degC today we decided to open it up for a good airing and get some shade as well. I took the heavy plastic cover off and then was surrounded by wasps... Having a careful look as I was backing away I spied the starts of a wasp nest - good tennis ball size already. Pics are a bit blurred as I was walking backwards with the fly spray in my hand. Anyway OH has got rid of it without either of us getting stung... Sad in a way as it really was perfect but I don't really want it dangling from my sun parasol all summer !!   RF |
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Post by Tig on May 20, 2014 14:52:41 GMT
Yikes RF - good job you uncovered it when you did, last thing you want on the terrace is a wasps nest!!  Hope they go far away to rebuild!! I never did find out what the caterpillar was, couldn't find it the next day so assume it pupated or crawled away. |
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Post by Chuckles on May 20, 2014 19:58:40 GMT
That could of been a nasty situation RF. I was up the garden midday and heard a load of bees buzzing, when I looked up a swarm 10' x 12' flew over quite low  |
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Post by Rosefriend on May 21, 2014 4:46:14 GMT
Yikes RF - good job you uncovered it when you did, last thing you want on the terrace is a wasps nest!! Hope they go far away to rebuild!! I never did find out what the caterpillar was, couldn't find it the next day so assume it pupated or crawled away. That could of been a nasty situation RF. I was up the garden midday and heard a load of bees buzzing, when I looked up a swarm 10' x 12' flew over quite low We both said yesterday afternoon that we were glad that we had found it now and not when it was double as big with more and more wasps around. Loads of wasps came looking yesterday evening for their home - as you say Tig I hope they go far away to rebuild... Soo many bees around this year Chuckles and that they are already swarming is a sign of it I suppose...an impressive sight even if it is slightly unnerving.. RF |
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Post by Barbara on May 21, 2014 12:56:04 GMT
 Ooooooooo la la |
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Post by Tig on May 21, 2014 14:23:15 GMT
They're all 'at' it Barbara, my garden is heaving  |
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Post by Spruance on May 21, 2014 19:44:04 GMT
I have been planting out some French Marigold 'Honeycomb' today that I grew for the patio border and all the while I was out there was a male blackbird following me so closely that I could have almost reached out and patted it on the head. Seeing an obvious photo opportunity I went into the house for the camera only to find that the now camera shy bird had disappeared, although he did finally return to pose for a photo whilst attending to his ablutions!  I should perhaps add that we have three stone bird baths which are all refilled twice daily but certain birds - this one included - seem to prefer the drinking bowls.   |
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Post by Ladygardener on May 22, 2014 6:18:51 GMT
Good job you found the wasp nest when you did Rosefriend, pity you could'nt have relocated it to (those next door)  Great shot Spruance, Barbara. The other day I saw an adult Starling, one of many who arrive daily, feeding it's young while balancing on a couple of canes I've put near one of the feeders. Such a lovely sight. |
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Post by Chuckles on May 23, 2014 15:34:16 GMT
So many young birds about at the moment, lovely to watch. Managed to get a couple of pics today of a young Gold Finch and female Sparrow. The female Sparrows are very light coloured this year. This Gold Finch was right outside the back door, couldn't believe my eyes tbo, there are 2 of them about.  Very pale colours and so fluffy  |
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Post by Barbara on May 23, 2014 16:48:02 GMT
So many young birds about at the moment, lovely to watch. Managed to get a couple of pics today of a young Gold Finch and female Sparrow. The female Sparrows are very light coloured this year. This Gold Finch was right outside the back door, couldn't believe my eyes tbo, there are 2 of them about. Very pale colours and so fluffy One for each Chuckles they are lovely, well done getting the pic. |
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Post by Tig on May 23, 2014 18:24:04 GMT
Well done on getting the birdies to watch the camera folks  This shot is stunning Chuckles - I have never seen the markings so well defined on a young bird! |
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Post by Rosefriend on May 23, 2014 18:46:36 GMT
Well done on getting the birdies to watch the camera folks This shot is stunning Chuckles - I have never seen the markings so well defined on a young bird! Gorgeous pic - those markings are marvellous...like Tig I never realised that the markings were so defined.. RF |
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I should perhaps add that we have three stone bird baths which are all refilled twice daily but certain birds - this one included - seem to prefer the drinking bowls. 
