It's the week Wimbledon starts so, of course, the weather has been utterly hideous. As a result I've had little desire to sit in the garden in the pouring rain. But here are a few snaps I did manage when the rain wasn't chucking it down.

Lavatera

Lavender

French marigold

The beginning of a new pitcher plant

Drama Queen Poppy

 

Heading towards the stock flowers

A bee on the wild geranium

Leaf-cutter bee (Megachile centuncularis)

I'm hoping for better weather but I'm not betting my cat biscuits that it will appear anytime soon!
Until next time.

Claude

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Oh, to bee a little less confused about bees

If bees could talk I would sincerely hope that they'd inform me of exactly which species they are...

Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)

Blue Mason Bee (Osmia caerulescens)

I think this tiny beauty is some kind of early mining bee

Until next time,
Claude
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Early nesting bumble bee (Bombus pratorum)

Bumble bee identification is one of the many, many, things that confuse me. Considering this I'd probably not entirely trust my attempts!!

Until next time,
Claude
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Caterpillars

As a kitten I spend many a happy hour hunting for caterpillars. I don't seem to find so many these days. It is fair to say that, although I love them, caterpillar identification really isn't my strong point.

Large yellow underwing moth (Noctua pronuba)(?)

No idea what this is, but not an altogether welcome sight on the lavender plant

If you have any idea what species these caterpillars actually are, then please do let me know!

Until next time,
Claude
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Damsels not in distress

It's almost been a year since we dug a pond in the garden. I can't begin to tell you how thrilled we were to see these damselflies visiting for the first time. Yesterday we saw three of them out there flying about. So far we've witnessed two matings and subsequent egg layings. The latter of which I seem unable to photograph in focus.
There is no doubt that damselflies are beautiful to watch. They are expert flyers, and even more fearsome hunters. I definitely would not want to be a small flying bug in the air around here.

Pyrrhosoma nymphula

The remains of lunch - not a pretty sight up close.

Until next time,
Claude
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