genialgemsandothergabblings

 Wow what a great weekend for wildlife. On Saturday we went to Martin Mere for a couple of hours and were lucky enough to enjoy some superb aerial displays from a Marsh harrier. Luckily for us Peter had remembered to take his scope so we really had a good view, especially when it landed in the long grass at the side of the Mere. Also saw the largest Toadstool I have ever seen there. No pictures of the Marsh Harrier as it was just too far for my camera.  Yes a toadstool!   The Moorhen had made such a neat little nest and was sitting tight.  Rowan berries are to be seen in great numbers this year so there will food for the birds.  a lovely late foxglove  A Speckled Wood Butterfly at Martin Mere  A Comma in my Garden at last  This shot was taken from the boat as we were going along the canal with my zoom lens. Kestrel looking out for supper. Small Tortoiseshell at side of canal We had two rather unusual ducks down at t...

 Well it has been a morning of high drama and terror here for the resident Sparrow population in our back garden hedge. I was up in my bedroom when I  heard a horrible screeching of a bird and knew at once that a bird had attacked another or that a cat had caught something. My first instinct to fly outside and see what had happened proved to be the wrong one as all had gone quiet and nothing was to be seen ,so I went back upstairs and there on the grass in next doors garden was a female Sparrow hawk having breakfast of sparrow. I flew for my camera and just hoped I would be in time to take a photo and these are the only shots I got as she was soon off. It was only on Sunday that we heard another commotion and that time we saw a Male Sparrow hawk try his luck by flying in onto the hedge  but he missed and flew off. At the moment it is not a very safe haven for small birds here as no doubt they will be back! Female Sparrowhawk  We said goodbye to Maya...

 With all the sunshine we have been having I thought I would show some of the lovely flowers in the garden that are in full bloom. I really love the Peachy coloured Hollyhock which I got as a very small plant last year and had almost forgotten about until I spotted it today looking so gorgeous!  The window boxes are doing well, I keep deadheading which should help them flower a bit longer.  Today the butterflies were out in force, Peacock, small tortoiseshell, white, and a red admiral were all on one plant.  Viola and Dianthus were doing well.  Although I have not had a big glut of raspberries we have picked enough for our desserts a few times and they were delicious too!  We visited a farm shop up near Cockerham Sands recently where they breed Alpacas, who came across to see what we were eating, which was a huge ice cream each which is home made on the farm.  They looked so funny as they had just been shorn of their...