Heron

Perched on top of the Alder yesterday there was a Grey Heron set against a grey sky.

As soon as I took the first photo it flew off!

Honeybees on Viburnum, Cornus mas, Camelia, hellebores and crocus.

 Cornus mas / cornelian cherry, March 10th.

 

Honeybee on Hellebore.

March 10th.

 Camelia 'donation' is busy with bumble bees as well as honeybees.

Honeybee in Camelia 'donation' March 10th.

The crocus are still going strong too, March 10th. They have been buzzing with hoverflies, bumblebees and honeybees.

 

Honeybee with pollen sac on Viburnum × bodnantense 'Dawn',  March 10th, it is also attracting hoverflies and bumble bees.

Rosemary, scilla siberica / Siberian squill, peaches and apricots are busy with bees too.

February weather.

February was cold, 1 deg C below normal. Dry, half the average rainfall and slightly sunnier than usual.

As February disappeared I have no sky photos! These are reeds at the big pond.

Where did February go?

Yesterday I took 10 minutes to walk through the garden and take some February photos. When I came in I realised it was March already! Where did February go?

Cornus mas, Cornelian cherry, in Flower...

...makes a nice robin perch.

Purple sprouting broccoli with Cornus mas behind.

Some of the purple crocus in the meadow.

Corylus avellana 'Contorta' corkscrew hazel.

The first daffodils are up, these ones are little Narcissus 'Tete-a-tete'.

The cockerel that was born on Zoe's 7th birthday, (hence had to be kept!) has survived the fox episode. We believe he flew down from his safe perch in the tree to help the turkey tom chase off the fox. We didn't think he would make it. He didn't eat anything for a couple of weeks, Zoe gave him water a few times every day, and occasionally home made yoghurt.

Daub caught two pigeons before Christmas but surprisingly none since.

He and Wattle now have bells, the wild birds on the feeders at this time of year need more of a chance.

Otter and frogspawn.

It is the time of year again when the pond starts to bubble, yes actually bubble! I couldn't capture the bubbling on camera so you'll have to use your imagination! I'll post this frogspawn picture instead.

The otter was here yesterday for a springtime frog feast.

One sees little more than the occasional head popping up from the water.

 The heron has been a regular visitor over the last month, also enjoying the frog feast. The frogs all disappear under the water as soon as anyone goes near.