‘Frogs’ , there
weren’t so many this year, unlike last year who were leaping in masses every time
we walked the garden. I’d say 75% down
from previous year. And, those who ‘are’,
enjoy the many ‘Oak logs’ within our
garden rockery, hiding in their nooks and crannies. They leap-aside when one of our Ponies
shortens the unkempt lawn. A kinder
approach to life.
Ianto with one thing on his mind, 'food' & Suki you'll see her later.
Although a few hot days, none could compare with an early
morning of Monday 26th August
“Just like Summer should be with a stillness of joyous scents that stay with
you forever and should be ‘bottled-up’.
Previous years I’d noticed the usual species, this year’s
was void of one or two, like the ‘Ladybird’ who didn’t come to light in her favourite
place in our front garden, nor in our Woodland ( blackfly had arrived which
they like.) And the ‘Burnet Moth’ wasn’t
either......... but other species came forth and made-up for their loss. Juvenile
‘Willow Warbler’ and ‘TreeCreeper’ ....only by accidental mishaps on
their part.
Very good at 'climbing-up' but so very bad at flying these juvenile 'TreeCreepers' ......T'was still breathing so placed upon a large log next to our hedge, giving cover from predators.
'Clever' comes in all sizes..... so good at disguising themselves, just look at this, appears to have 'no' head...can just make out the beak as turned it's head to one side having fluffed-up like a duvet. Little mite flew off soon after.
Someone I hadn’t noticed
before upon our hedge mid morning, a ‘Grey Wagtail’ sifting it’s pickings
through the damp., who like scrubland, rivers, marshes and lakes to find their
choice of insects. A ‘Chaser’ did chance a visit to our garden pond, who I’ve
never seen in the real. (sorry, no photos.)
Juvenile Willow Warbler
Twice we rescued the same juvenile 'Willow Warbler' from off the road where moments later a fast van drove and wouldn't have seen such a tiny bird...was sure to be squashed. I heard the mother calling so tiddler was put back safe. Phewwww... the risks they take...& nearly always carry my trustee camera......so captured the safe return.
Our resident ‘Thrush’ was cleaning it’s beak from the
remnants of eating a snail, under a shady tree.
Half an hour later t’was smashing the living daylights out of another
from it’s shell.
Please click on photos to enlarge....
Summer rain.... falls gently whilst sunlight crosses the
valley, showing off it’s varied colours of green, so refreshing and new growth
for all. Where a female ‘Meadow Brown’
butterfly was enjoying the young shoots of grass upon our one and only lawn.
A few days later an electrified ‘storm’ went off with sheets
of rain you couldn’t see through!
One evening a beautiful brown ‘Patterdale’ arrived, we didn’t know her name, only age, seven. The previous owner had young
children and couldn’t find the time for her so we took her on. We allowed her time to settle in our home (giving
her the chance to size us up first, ) then
went through various names......of which she responded to ‘Suki’ which means ‘love’ or ‘like’ in
Japanese., and quite honestly suits the
name., so she chose well.
'I trust you'
'Finally I can laugh
A rustling sound was heard by our Son, with a quick response
grabbed whatever it was... a ‘Mole’.....
so sweet and cute. He released it to the
ground where ‘unfortunately’ our new rescue dog had already crushed it to
death. “Never saw that coming” !
Tuesday 13th Aug’13 12.30p.m
Exhausted by the mid-day sun sat down upon a sand-filled
builder’s bag, when ‘Bob’ came around from behind the hydrangea and cheered me
on to dig some more. With keen eyes the
mighty feast began from a juvenile ‘Robin’ whilst I rested and captured him
within my little black box. I spoke
throughout our connection and now seems to be a partnership born.
'Bob'
The ‘One and Only’ Painted Lady butterfly came by, so continued the captures........whilst our
Son was digging an area for a greenhouse where ‘Bob’ the young robin was
joining in also.
Painted Lady
Wednesday 21st Aug’13
A dark sky shadowed the land where a ‘Raven’ of some size
sat in a distant tree, then ‘Bob’ appeared from beneath a Hebe shrub next to
our old shed enjoying the early morning riches.
Saturday 24th August’13
Lots of tut tut tutting sounds going on in our garden and woodland,
the males have started their fight for territory, youngsters brave the scene with tails up and
down, red waistcoats forming on some already, a Robin’s life can be tough for
some.
Woodland youngster forming a red waistcoat
Sunday arrived with mating Bumblebees in flight, they were
whizzing everywhere..... 'Union Flight' And were mostly 'Cuckoo Bumblebees' (Redtailed)
Our Woodland took on a new meaning as many Queen Bees were out mating and seemed to choose just about anywhere as were upon our log/water carrier.
The sunshine still gives us it's best as we almost close another August
Winter had'nt long past when Autumn had stepped-in too many times,
where blossoms left sooner than should,
with the sudden onset of high temperatures, where flora were wilting of thirst.
Even the Bees took to undercover work, causing some to bleach from the hot mid-day sun.
Our Woodstove cracked-up on the odd chilly evening, as the wind got-up to bring Winter waves of cold.
Where only a week before the Swallows arrived to open 'spring'. And the rods of rain was so bad...it hurt!
May came crashing down with hailstorms where the wildlife are All exposed!
The Red Mason Bees arrived later and their time given was shorter than usual.
Red Mason Bee of the Solitary kind.
Not the Blackbird but the Woodlark sings across the air,
making sure All can hear,
whilst summer breeze and sunshine awaken the early morn.
Throughout the day another bird spoke,
all green with rasping sounds,
that interrupt the others from it's usual tree.
A 'Greenfinch'.
Goldfinch flock back and forth from tree to tree,
whilst I water the green food who's pleased for that drink before the sunbeams scorch the ground.
Early evening arrives when Larky whines-up to a different tune,
telling us his day was a bit of a laugh.
~ ~ ~
19th June '13 ~ Looking up....a mass of bright green caterpillars descend gently down, with the help from their silk. After days of living in an Oak tree, suddenly surrounded us on this warm and sunny day at last.
14th July '13 ~ 7.15a.m Dew flicked-up from a Rabbits escape, any sooner could have been prey for a quick-paced Fox who had his nose stuck to another's trail.
Up to no good ~ "was it you"?
16th July '13 ~ Jewels in the mist surround me from the early morning rays.... rise-up caused by the warmth of a day.
A dry ground went 'crunch' with every step, no wonder the many Ringlet Butterflies took flight and a pair of Small Skipper weaved the air with their friendship.......along the 'Wasteland' visit.
Redtailed Cuckoo Bee 'worker'
Birdsfoot Trefoil paved some of the way where a Cuckoo Bee was hard at work.
Small Skipper
Thursday 18th July '13 ~ A scratching sound caught my attention whilst searching for the Tree Bee, it was the Leafcutter Bees......so I was able to take a short footage of them:::
The UK Weather has been brutal to us all, especially our 'Wildlife' who are exposed 'day and night' !
The square of wood you see above was put there to 'stop' a Male Sparrow from bullying them out from their home. Bluetits are much smaller than Sparrows and did succeed ownership with their tenacity.
On one occasion I noticed the 'said' Sparrow coming out from their nesting box, so drastic measures were taken by putting the extra wood above, where he would sit 'chirping' non-stop!
The same Sparrow has bullied the 'House Martins' from their nest and moved in.
Now that their 'nesting material' has created a good bed, ready for that special moment, they enjoy the outside together.
Heading back to the 'nest'.
This was the last time I saw them together!
16th May'13 ~ Noticed no activity around their nest-box for four or five days but did hear the calls from the 'male' at the top of one of our trees.
We've had torrential downpour, perhaps she failed her return journey, we'll never know?
21st May'13 ~ 4p.m in the afternoon the male 'Bluetit' called, for what seemed like ages, from a tree near to the nest-box....No female was seen , perhaps his last attempt of searching for her.
And so from stopping over winter, trying to hang-on to their home, all was lost and so sad as their numbers are in decline.
The Good News is that the 'Bluetits' in our Woodland are doing well.
Thursday, 14 March 2013
Sunday 27th Jan'13 ~ Sunshine arrived in much splendour which showered fields with it's gold, then all did arise to dry-off with a spurt, geared-up to grow as it would.
I took this capture on 9th Jan'13 looking over from our Woodland
FROG's MATING
At least five pairs 15th Feb'13
Monday 18th February ~ T'was out preparing the vegetable areas*
An audience of 'singing birds' came by to make the day superb, they cheered me on to dig much more, whilst Frogs were leaping and frolicking, so there was'nt a patch undug.
Encouraging sounds from wildlife turned the fork so easily and at incredible speed....of course there was meaning to their joyful songs 'more worms'.
Saturday 2nd March ~ A day that everyOne could almost do as they pleased......"Loki was"....he was seen climbing into the washing machine, rolling over rubbing his back, giving himself a good massage...he twist and turned many times and found the rubber door surround really great around the back of his neck. With lots of licking and yawning decided he'd had enough......"So now he expects the washer door open everytime he passes" because he has a routine and never fails to miss anything with sleeves or dark holes 'such as wellies'. After all.......they are really wildlife*
Ferrets are mostly kept in small cages and surely couldn't be enough room,, plus being socially starved.
Loki our Ferret has the freedom of our dining-room and enters the lounge, kitchen once a day for a treat...he visits the log basket for extra scratching upon the cut logs. They are all 'curious' creatures and should be given some amount of free living., for Loki has such an amazing character, which we would never of known his full extent. "I just wonder...if he knows just how fortunate he is."?
Monday 4th March ~ The birds ate upper-crust earlier today, spelt bread crumbs...a discarded piece left on the edge of a plate. Words got round, so they all want a taste.
Early evening eating crisps and 'Chuckster' arrives with his asking look.......? he was'nt asking, he was 'insisting'! with his paw just under my chin. I couldn't give him any because of the salt content, so tried as I might not to look at him whilst finishing them off.
Tuesday 5th March ~ At 7.40 p.m Dogs were arriving in from outside where the air was getting quite chilly, then a 'Toad' arrived, looking very thin. Our Son moved him safely, away from the path and under a log... 'MARCH of the TOAD'
Saturday 9th March ~ Where wildlife spoke of 'Spring'.....with our first 'spawn' this year. The afternoon gave way to another surge of 'spawn' and croaking........my video below ~ be it wobbly at start.
Monday 11th March ~ The 'Snow' is falling greatly whilst the 'Sun' broadens it's horizon. Tuesday 12th March ~ A sky shows off that warmth once more but oh so chilling to the bone with that biting wind hurled across one's face, looking down at frozen 'spawn'. It was early 7.05 a.m ! By 11.05 a.m the 'Snow' was arriving thick and fast, three seasons in one.
Its time to close till next time
Thank you
xXx
Sunday, 10 February 2013
Christmas went down well with plenty of wholesome foods, and those special chocolatey tastes.
'Himself' took this photo of Loki
December 15th'12 ~ And Loki arrived 'all claws and teeth', hopefully he'll trust us to be his new friends. The plump little Ferret is quite a size and wears beige as his coat and probably why he was given to us., this didn't matter as our youngest Son has been longing for one.
Loki has been learning our ways as we have of his and enjoys his daily romp in our lounge but when the Woodstove is roaring away with it's heat, asks to leave via the door he came in. "C**an't stand the heat."
The dining-room is where he lives for now as this winter's temperatures have dropped below minus a few times brrrr ** this gave us all the chance to understand each other.
The name 'Loki' came about because we three are interested in 'Norse' ~ Loki was the seductively handsome Norse God of mischief and chaos and this suited his animal-like character.
Monday 17th Dec'12 ~ Early this morning a mechanical sound echoed from beneath one of our dressers in the dining-room.....Loki had vanished and was sweeping up the lost dust., everyOne else thought I'd gone mad as I thought the Ferret began to talk, it said "Warrior dreams", then later during the day we All heard the same sound "A Toy" !
9th January' 13 ~ took a few snaps around the Woodland early morning.
18th January' 13 ~ Awoke at 6.45a.m to a Snow blizzard***
A female Blackbird was taking shelter under our fir tree, then every now and then pops out to see if any food?
And the Blackbirds, Song Thrush were perched exposed
Please click on the photos to enlarge, thank you.
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
Robin
There’s pickings in
that field,
I can see them from
up here and they’re not such easy pickings
As a wayward ‘Crow’
dives down,
I’ll keep tight within the hedgerow
With a coat....so drip drip drippy
Then a ‘Robin’ comes
close with a tweet
Saying it’s o.k you
know...fly now my friend,
For those yummy squirmy
treats,
Coz the ‘scary bird’
has gone.
And as the sun was gleaming...others were all
lined-up
Awaiting their turn
to forage the ground so awfully wet.
"I am a Chaffinch"
As the day closes a
flurry of small ‘birds’ scavenge for last minute morsels then soon vanish, taking a ‘dive’ into the privet
for cover......as the ‘Crows’ take flight once more.
Some birds bathe more often than others, a ‘Dunnock’ goes in search for a tasty breakfast
along our front drive, then goes for a dip in our ‘bird bath’....almost every day, whilst others like ‘Robin’ seem to take the occasional bath.
The hedge that surrounds our garden is ‘alive’ with
‘mammals’ ‘birds’ and down below an old nest maybe a ‘BumbleBees’ home (Queen Redtailed
Bumblebee) .....whom I witnessed flying under an ‘oak log’ early part of this
year.....so am hoping she’s still there making her nest.
Tuesday 2nd Oct
- WoW it's gorgeous here in our
part of ‘Wales’, wonderful outside even
though a little damp under foot.
Friday 12th Oct
- The ‘Rains’ were bad to us
yesterday as ‘Robin’ looked all
bedraggled and forlorn trying to sing his message with a quiver, he didn't stop long...... wildlife
suffer also. And whilst the day starts off with a clear
blue sky I notice many ‘Birds’ make the most of this opportunity to search for their morning
catch....at speed!
And the day was good ‘ until tea-time when it threw it down
once more with rain!
Sunday 14th Oct
- The day woke-up before me, a
lie-in I did have, a bath, then took my time on breakfast........I peered
outside to see a ‘beautiful still day’ with ‘wildlife’ enjoying it all!
Monday 15th Oct
- A dark day outside so lights on
inside to see where I’m going.....for I'm always tripping over things!
Wednesday 17th
Oct -
The strong ‘gusts’ are whistling up the garden path.. and the many
different ‘Clouds’ are wrestling, stirring-up the ‘air in the sky’!
A banana sandwich for
me and thee to keep our tums topped-up to help stick our toes firmly to the
ground when greeting the winds.
Wednesday 24th Oct - The
birds were singing their beautiful songs off key, they said they couldn't see, so
twirped an off key note. T'was so dark
the birds sang eerie, they said they'd wish the dark would leave and twirped
another wobble !
'Ffion and Connie'
Friday 26th Oct
- So very dim these early morns
and as the day progresses with no 'Sunshine', it has been stolen from our skies by villain
clouds! And the ‘Sumac Tree’which stands in a
large garden tub, was full of ‘Autumn’ colours,
hangs-on to it’s last drooping leaves that occasionally fall to the
ground.
What berries are left on trees are shrivelled and now ignored
by birds, for we enter into another ‘season’.
Beyond the dark undergrowth are many other paths (the
woodland wildlife habitats) that take you into different levels of
woodland, Tree stumps risen above
ground..... paths that take you into a ‘glade’ where nothing grows under a ‘beech’ tree, and fallen limbs lay....broken off from scorn
weather fronts which can rip a whole tree out from the very ground it stood.
Sunday 28th Oct
- Last night's sleep was
disturbed by ‘Teifi Rally Race’ going through our Village every fifteen minutes, four O'clock it stopped, dreadful noise - although this time they drove a little slower because of heavy
rain after dry spells but still kept us awake! Shouldn't be aloud.
Monday 29th Oct - I managed to get some more
washing dry out side, exciting life hey - It's all those animals muddy feet and
woodland squelch..... yuck !
Tuesday 30th Oct
- As a little bird sings it’s
merry tune, I watch, listen and learn.......for wildlife are much more attuned
to every aspect around them......so watch, listen and learn their ways.
Wednesday 31st Oct - We're
between two weather fronts and looking out across the back of our house it's
looking like it could snow but front is
grey with rain now.
We didn't celebrate 'Halloween' but listened to good music instead.
Yesterday I should of had my camera at ready but sadly a no no,
maybe next time for ‘Reds’ , Four sat in same tree down our lane, gosh they
look good up close!.....RedKites.
Thursday 1st Nov
- ‘Robin’ had made himself twice
the size he normally is in Summer as he stood perched upon the highest point of
the ‘birdhouse’, with his feathers reflecting the most beautiful red and the
wind was catching his fluffy-white feathers whilst he stared in at our kitchen
window........perhaps wondering where the gardener was....maybe?
We had ‘sleet’
brrrr
Saturday 3rd Nov
- Could hear the heavy rainfall
fill all the holes in the garden, then stopped with a selection of clouds, which
one will give us a storm?
‘Hailstorm’ and quite heavy brrrrr then another just as I’m on return journey by
foot, having delivered ‘eggs’........warmed-up
now, was rushing.
Mid afternoon ‘Robin’ flew over to the ‘Bird bath’ to take a
quick dip before the next storm hit....... necessaries as ‘winter’ arrives too
early, wildlife speeded-up for that ‘urgent bath’.
Fireworks should be illegal as they are legal weapons in
fancy packages !!! We heard two lots
going off and then t'was silent....phew !!! Our pets don't like them.....so think how wildlife feel.
Sunday 4th Nov
- The ‘GoldFinches’ returned to
our garden in a large flock, sadly they don’t stop long, they were collecting
their food source in a hurry......so always difficult to capture, even on
film.
Monday 5th Nov
- Always moving to where the ‘sunshine’ glows: so no photos of this
mornings ‘bird’ antics, only words. A young
‘robin’ flew to our side- gate and decided to view in the kitchen window once again where I was making my
breakie.......I fetched the camera as I knew he would return and he did but
when I moved the camera to get a better capture.....he was for off..... Ohhhh!
Turned very cold at around 2.30pm: As the Sun was
disappearing it left us with a chill, which seeped in through our
clothing.....so we had to keep moving to stay warm down in the woodland brrrrr
!
Wednesday 7th Nov
- Ash dieback detected in South
West of Wales.....oh drat and more drat....worrying times ahead!
Saturday 10th Nov
- Now the sun has shown itself
for real, a flurry of birds are out sending this news to All....... via tuneful
songs......glorious outside 'thankyou Day'
Sunday 11th Nov
- As we drove into town along the
narrow lanes, the sun shone upon the Trees with a blaze of colour.
Thursday 15th Nov
- The ‘sun’ was gleaming
across the frozen field, it glistened-out for those in need of drinks, as it melted away. I also noticed what a grand eating-up of
greens ‘Bracken’ had done in the vegetable garden, “no need to dig
yourself, ask a pony”.
In parts, the ground was still so squelchy as we slid along
the way, our boots were carrying an
extra weight....each step was quite a feat.
Feeding time began with eager tums......some had curled-up
lips whilst others croaked their joy that it was heading their way!
New ‘wellies’ and already things are attached.......awwww......An ‘oak’ leaf passenger happened by chance.
Friday 16th Nov
- Had to ‘call’ the ‘hens’ and ask for two more eggs as I was putting
the ingredients together for ‘mini
Christmas Cakes’ as the kitchen was
empty of them.
The sky brought ‘ foggy-rain’ unlike yesterday, which was
full of ‘sunshine’ and a photographer's dream of a day.
I now seem to be a
connoisseur of Dog-Poo....yuck and no matter what I sniff it's still lingers in
my nostrils...what a 'pong of a tweet' I sent across the web.... sorry!
Couldn't see how it
arrived in and both small dogs tried to answer questions but no One giving
anything away..just cuteness! “We were All ‘suspects and everyone’s shoe’s
were turned over and checked”.......a total mystery?
Friday 23rd Nov
- The day woke-up..... ‘still’....not even a gentle breeze but the sky was mixed with different clouds and a
bright glow from half hidden ‘sun’........which gave off a detailed edge surrounding a
large grey cloud., it hailed, it rained and then the wind got up once more.
Saturday 24th Nov
- Just a whiff of a breeze brings
the ‘wildlife’ bunch out before the ‘storm’ arrives. The
Male ‘Bullfinch’ looks extremely peckish as he tugs away at the shrivelled
berries of a cherry tree, standing
almost naked of leaves.
Little bird ‘Robin’ was out with his chums twirping a distress call,
telling them to eat breakie fast, at this early hour before the sky falls!
The rain crept in the hallway and soaked-up all the carpet, then the car seats were wet to sit upon, so
plastic sheet was used...........so far so good.....as not washed away.
Sunday 25th Nov
- Breakie time..... Just seen
both ends of a beautiful Rainbow ....there was no gold as told by folk..... it
itself is the 'gem' of our skies .
Wednesday 28th Nov - Thankfully
a DRY day Here in Pembrokeshire.. yippeee , gosh we've had bad weather for a solid
month now and mostly wearing it !
Full Moon !
Thursday 29th Nov
- A huge flock of ‘Gulls’ heading for coast, just flew over house with
some great excitement and urgency of a hopeful catch of fish, out at Sea.
Sunday 2nd Dec
- Its a beautiful morning here in the West with all different bird species feasting in and around front garden,
wonderful day. A male Bullfinch, two male Blackbirds, a Wren, the family of
house Sparrows making the most of a good start as the weather is so
changeable.... ‘Are they adapting’..... perhaps?
Monday 10th Dec
- An eerie sound eschoed through
the Village......what sounded like a neighbour’s husky frantically barking and
then a loud screeching took over, like a woman screaming !!! A Vixen was baiting the dog, she was searching for a mate and chose a husky
to annoy.
She arrived the following night, Tuesday, Wednesday and early Thursday morning only to find he wasn't her type!
Tuesday 11th Dec - Winter has arrived with frosty mornings and chilling winds that bite
your cheeks. And now the day is closing
with the sun going down the frost continues to grow across the landscape.
There’s always a
story surrounding our life
Songbird’s sing their
stories to be told
Carried by the winds Up
up....far and beyond
Across the boundaries,
across the fields
Tuneful songs sung loud to make their message heard
Unknown to us, for
only they would know
The Bluetit acrobats
are out again
Dangling from
overgrown privet
With precision
balance and agility keeps their foraging safe
.JPG)
