Well, that will teach me to leave my camera at home.
On this mornings walk with the dog, I encountered a heron flying off from where I had disturbed it by the river. A couple of minutes later I see a kingfisher whizzing by at speed, following the course of the river - so I guess its highly unlikely I would have caught that little fella on camera anyway.
So I return home, happy that I have seen these lovely birds, though a bit miffed at having no evidence!
Just taken Ella for a quick lunchtime stroll on our local grassy area, which my husband and I call 'the heath'. Yep, forgot my camera and then spotted a number of different butterflies enjoying the thistles which grow in abundance here. Peacock, Common Blue, Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Green Veined White, plus a few more I wasnt able to identify.
Next time I shall be prepared!
Tuesday, 6 August 2013
Thursday, 1 August 2013
A British Butterfly
I came across these fellas while working in one of my clients gardens. I'm not very good at identifying caterpillers, and can hardly remember names of the butterflies so thought I should get to know some of our natives.
These are the caterpillars of the Small Tortoiseshell, which can be seen across Britain. Managed to get a pic of one in my garden today, feeding on my Origanum 'Thumbles Variety'.
Am lucky enough to live next to an area that lays untouched, it being part of our towns flood defences. There is a mass of stinging nettle, a favourite of many of our butterflies. I have many flowers that attract butterflies so there are always a number of different species fluttering by. I do wish the cats wouldn't chase them!
Heres a link to a site that will help to identify our British 'flutterbys'
http://www.britishbutterflies.co.uk/index.asp
Will try to get more pics, but its not easy!
...Heres a few more....
These are the caterpillars of the Small Tortoiseshell, which can be seen across Britain. Managed to get a pic of one in my garden today, feeding on my Origanum 'Thumbles Variety'.
Heres a link to a site that will help to identify our British 'flutterbys'
http://www.britishbutterflies.co.uk/index.asp
Will try to get more pics, but its not easy!
...Heres a few more....
 |
| Meadow Brown |
 |
| Large White |
 |
| A moth, the Silver Y |
 |
| Anyone know what this is?? |
Wednesday, 31 July 2013
Broad Bean Harvest
Well, its been a busy couple of weeks, hence lack of blog activity - sorry!
Managed to get round to harvesting our broad beans
Not a bad crop this year, and hardly any blackfly for a change. Maybe they dont like the long dry spell we have had? I say long, its only been 3 weeks or so, but a fair length for us here in the UK.
When you harvest the remainder of the beans, cut the plants down but leave in the roots or dig the roots in as they hold nitrogen nodules, so giving nitrogen for the next crop. This is the same for all beans and peas.
Once harvested, I realised there were far too many to eat fresh so have frozen them. Some people like to blanche the beans first - cook in boiling water for 1 minute, then drain and place straight into ice cold water. Other suggest there is no need to blanche, just pop them in bags and into the freezer. Husband wanted to try both. Unfortunately, while blanching he forgot to keep an eye on the clock, got distracted, so we got some well cooked beans!! Lucky he didnt do this to all of them :)
Will have a look out for some recipes for you to try. Did come across a houmous recipe but found it to be rather bland, so won't bore you with the details!
Managed to get round to harvesting our broad beans
Not a bad crop this year, and hardly any blackfly for a change. Maybe they dont like the long dry spell we have had? I say long, its only been 3 weeks or so, but a fair length for us here in the UK.
When you harvest the remainder of the beans, cut the plants down but leave in the roots or dig the roots in as they hold nitrogen nodules, so giving nitrogen for the next crop. This is the same for all beans and peas.
Once harvested, I realised there were far too many to eat fresh so have frozen them. Some people like to blanche the beans first - cook in boiling water for 1 minute, then drain and place straight into ice cold water. Other suggest there is no need to blanche, just pop them in bags and into the freezer. Husband wanted to try both. Unfortunately, while blanching he forgot to keep an eye on the clock, got distracted, so we got some well cooked beans!! Lucky he didnt do this to all of them :)
Will have a look out for some recipes for you to try. Did come across a houmous recipe but found it to be rather bland, so won't bore you with the details!
Thursday, 18 July 2013
Too Hot For Gardening
Phew, the hottest July for a few years! The flower garden is suffering a bit with a few plants flagging even though established. My Rudbeckia is really struggling, one plant I have to water. The lawn is turning brown but I dont mind that as it will be removed to allow for a new path and the rest reseeded at the end of August (a great time to seed as there are heavy dews in the warm mornings to help germination).
Still, have had a glut of strawberries, enought to make jam and now the raspberries are on offer. The courgettes are loving the heat and I have to check them every day so they dont get too big. Broad beans and peas are now on the menu too along with salad leaves.
My Philadelphus coronarius is now in full flower and smells delicious
Have a closer look at the flowers, can you smell the sweet scent?!
The swifts are still here, they actually flew up to our house and landed, clingin to the wall. I tried to get some shots, not very clear am afraid, they are called swifts for a reason...
Come back!!
Still, have had a glut of strawberries, enought to make jam and now the raspberries are on offer. The courgettes are loving the heat and I have to check them every day so they dont get too big. Broad beans and peas are now on the menu too along with salad leaves.
My Philadelphus coronarius is now in full flower and smells delicious
Have a closer look at the flowers, can you smell the sweet scent?!
The swifts are still here, they actually flew up to our house and landed, clingin to the wall. I tried to get some shots, not very clear am afraid, they are called swifts for a reason...
Wednesday, 10 July 2013
Moths
Lucky enough to get photos of two of our native moths yesterday in a clients garden.
Beautiful arent they? Not sure about this fella though.....
I think its a Weaver Beetle, Lamia textor. Never seen one before, not sure if they are common here in the UK but are found in many countries.
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| Lime Hawk Moth Mimas tiliae |
 | ||||
| Poplar Hawk Moth Laothoe populi |
Beautiful arent they? Not sure about this fella though.....
I think its a Weaver Beetle, Lamia textor. Never seen one before, not sure if they are common here in the UK but are found in many countries.
Monday, 8 July 2013
Tune in to Radio 4
I had the radio on in the car today on the way back from walking the dog on the moor - it was a beautiful morning but unfortunately my phone battery was dead so no pics, sorry. The programme was so interesting I had to tell you about it, you can hear it on this link
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b036xyxh
It was about the various bugs in our uk gardens, giving really interesting nuggets of info on woodlice, bees and froghoppers - these little fellas are masters when it comes to camouflage, can you see him?
They are amzing creatures, just listen to the programme!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b036xyxh
It was about the various bugs in our uk gardens, giving really interesting nuggets of info on woodlice, bees and froghoppers - these little fellas are masters when it comes to camouflage, can you see him?
Wednesday, 3 July 2013
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