That strange plant in a previous post is known as a ‘Shoofly’ .Thank you to a sharp eyed neighbour who spotted it at RHS Wisley a few weeks ago and remembered the name! Nicandra physalodes is apparently common on wasteland in Peru. My two specimens leaned over in the recent gales. Apparently hardy, lets see […]
Plant Quiz #2. Do you know this flower? Read More »
Suddenly there’s a new perfume in the air. As other plants fade ivy is in bloom everywhere, and bees are making their last sorties for nectar. To be stored as over-wintering food. And spiders patrol their webs on every bush.
Beginnings of Autumn Read More »
I’m missing the hills while waiting for the next knee operation. And last week I realised I miss real sheep. These Thames Valley sweeties are no substitute. A llama can carry your pack – upto 25 kilos. I’ll be scanning the rules for the next TGO Challenge – I think dogs are mentioned and
Real sheep, real hills, etc Read More »
First thanks to Llendorin who corrected my assumption in ‘Blue Tit Ways’. Here’s more information. There are several differences between the blue tit and the great tit, but the most obvious even in black and white, is the white area above the eye in the blue tit. Great tits have a black head piece which
The bird boxes are busy. On camera – box #1 has been occupied for two weeks now. Mother Blue Tit is sitting in. Mum has been busy sitting, rearranging, housekeeping. It was some days before we managed to see what she was sitting on (when she was taking the rubbish out?) Seven nicely formed
The ladybirds in the previous post obviously know this was coming! But where are they now? I know my lupins will be eaten to a skeleton within a few days by this lot! Last weekend clouds of mozzy-like insects on the Thames path in Berkshire bodes ill for a midge-free Scotland in May.
Spring weather at the beginning of March brings lots of ladybirds. Where have they suddenly come from?