my photo
... just how blue, Salvia looks at this time of year.
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25/10/2009
my photo
COMMON TOAD
The other morning after a heavy downpour I didn't see it, but I certainly heard a toad in the damp undergrowth.
The photo above was taken back in July when I inadvertently disturbed this rather grumpy looking warty one, which was nestling right in the middle of the Giant Scabious which I was giving a cutback.
I can't help but think its skin reminds me of a well-toasted pitta bread!
Toads spend much of the year on dry land, so I hope it managed to find another safe place to shelter in the garden, with a rich foodsource, ie slugs, insects and worms.
Did you see the tumbling Venezuelan Pebble Toad on the BBC programme Life. Click here if you didn't, but we warned the clip also contains a toad-eating tarantula!
It's amazing, and really quite amusing, and remarkably no toad was hurt in the making of the film!
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24/10/2009
my photos
THE COLOURS OF AUTUMN
In the main, the colours of Autumn are red and brown.
Here are some photos on the red/brown theme which I took yesterday.
I believe this to be a Harvestman? Looks like a spider, but not a spider at all.
Only if you like spiders, click here to see some great photos.
A Garden Snail mulch, a tip picked up from Michelle at Veg Plotting.
My garden is full of snails, so I have no problem in collecting vacated shells.
A seedhead of Iris Pseudocorus, the yellow flag iris.
I love these!
I usually bags a few whenever we go for walks along the beach. Only ones with holes!
Evergreen and deciduous leaves.
I've noticed wasps foraging amongst these.
More pebbles, mementos from holidays and days out.
Bird seed.
Don't forget today is RSPB Feed The Birds Day, tomorrow is as well. Infact, why not feed them every day!
The birds in my garden enjoy fatballs and mixed seed, but on the whole ignore peanuts!
I know for some of us the clocks go back tonight, but if you've the time, you could read my other post from yesterday.
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23/10/2009
my photos
RAIN CLOUDS, A BLUE SKY, AND A RAINBOW
A morning of heavy downpours, and an afternoon of sunshine. A mixed bag kind of day for gardeners.
A Yew tree which sits at the top of the garden.
From this spot, if you look North, you can see the South Downs. Unfortunately if you look South, you cannot see the sea for rooftops!
With water droplets and sunlight, a rainbow forms.
22/10/2009
my photo
COMMA
The beautiful Comma butterfly, with its crinkle edges, is often spotted at this time of year building up fat supplies on nectar.
One plant they favour is nettle, of which I leave in a wild patch, in a mainly undisturbed part of the garden.
Verbena Bonariensis, a plant I love for encouraging all species of butterfly, and the Hummingbird Hawkmoth. A plant I loathe when it comes to pulling up hundreds of self-seedlings, in early Summer!
The Comma will hibernate upside down, camouflaged on a tree trunk, or amongst decaying leaves.
Click on Butterfly Conservation, to visit their informative website, teamed with great photos.
o
11/10/2009
my photos
SEEDHEADS
I collect seedheads in dry weather, as they ripen.
The Honesty seeds above were from my Dad's garden. The way the seeds form in their own little paper bags fascinates me.
This years Lupin seeds, from plants given to me by my Uncle.
Seeds are for sharing. Remember my cerise pink Hollyhock, from an earlier post? Plants, especially annuals, seed prolifically and it's produced hundreds of seeds.
If you live in the UK and would like some, please e-mail me your name and address, or leave a comment on this post, and I shall post some off to you.
o
07/10/2009
my photos
GARDEN ORNAMENTS AND A GIVEAWAY WINNER
Having inherited garden ornaments, I share my patch with ...
a one-eyed, chewed-eared cat
and a rather cowardly lion.
A little stargazer
and a beautiful water carrier.
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A merry-looking piper
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and a Greek god!
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... and the winner of my 200th post garden/flower themed mystery giveaway is Re!
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