End of June Already?

I just can't believe how quickly the days, weeks and months are flying past.  I had a busy start to the week, made some changes in the house as we said goodbye to the Sailor for another five months, but didn't get as much done in the garden as I had planned due to the change in weather - I really don't do grey damp days.  I need blue sky and sunlight to charge my batteries.

My 'Nature Notes' this week, I was delighted to see a Great Spotted Woodpecker on the peanut feeder early one morning, although didn't manage to capture him on film.  I did manage to get a shot of a finch drinking from the bird bath though.

The Blue Tits have been out in force - I counted over ten at one time on the feeders.

This little one looks intent at perhaps an insect?

We had a Wood Pigeon visit.

We have also had a pair of Collared Doves, but I didn't get a photo of them either as didn't have my camera to hand at the time.

Hmm...cheeky squirrel trying to steal the nuts!

Bottoms up!  Good to see the bees enjoying the Hebe flowers.

A few photos of flowers in the garden:

The Honeysuckle has almost finished flowering now.

The hanging baskets are starting to look really good.

'Hot Chocolate'  This rose hasn't flowered for a couple of years, so pleased to see some buds on it this year.

Meanwhile inside the house...

This room...

which is/was the Sailor's room...

...as he left it...

Has now been transformed to this...

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Have a good weekend!

Nature Notes - Monday

I've got a bit of a 'Make Over' post to write, but haven't quite finished with photos, so in the meantime, so photos of birds taken over the last couple of days.

It has been a delight watching the little Blue Tits in the garden.  Every year a pair of Blue Tits raises some young in an old bird nest box that the Sailor made at Scouts many years ago.

Trying to decide how to get to the food?

Early this morning there were quite a few young Blue Tits flitting about round the feeder, they were  a delight to watch. 

We have also had some young robins as well.  Sadly I found a dead fledgling on the lawn over the weekend as well.  Not sure how that died.  Our garden is generally cat free due to the dogs.  

This one appears quite healthy and inquisitive though.

Nature Notes on a Tuesday

Nature Notes from my son's garden.

The poppies are still looking good, such a lovely vibrant selection of colours.

The weather is very hot and sunny, I like it like this, although even I admit I wish it would cool down at night, as it really is far too hot to be able to sleep comfortably.  During the day however, I am loving it.  Unlike many, the heat energises me.  I can actually get things done, and feel enthusiastic if not very sweaty at times!

Nature is at its best at the moment.  Colour and variety abound.

The Hebes are putting on a good show and doing what they do best, and that is attracting the wildlife.

The place was frequented by quite a few butterfly which was a delight to see.

I enjoyed watching this butterfly busy taking in the nectar.

There was a mixture of both white

and purple Hebe, some from the same bush.

The climbing rose by the front door is looking beautiful now it has been cleared and has space to grow and breath.  What a difference some care and attention makes.

I am not sure what this yellow plant is called at present, but I loved the vibrancy of the 'sunshine yellow'.  

It is surprising just how many flowers are starting to appear in this garden after only a few weeks of care and attention.  

While I was enjoying the garden I also spotted this lovely little Tit watching me.

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My son, the sailor, and his future wife have been working on what was my father in laws place that we inherited some eight years ago now I guess it is.  We had let our friends stay in it for the last four years, but had planned to sell it - part of the 'grand plan' to move to the Isle of Wight - so they moved out a few months ago.  It seems however, things don't always work out how you initially thought or planned.  I am not quite sure how it happened, but it seems that this home is to remain in our family for a bit longer yet, and thus we probably won't be moving for a long time now (not sure how comfortably the not moving part sits with me at the moment),  However, it has been so lovely to see the enthusiasm and hard work that has been put in to transforming the place.  It reminds me of my first house and all the work I put into it.  Paper has been stripped, mould has been cleaned off and treated, walls, doors and woodwork have been painted.  A lot of work still to do, but very obvious progress has been made and the inside is looking so much brighter.  A lot of work has been put into the garden as well.  There was no lawn left at the back, so that was reseeded and the grass is looking amazing now.  Garden beds have been weeded, an archway put in and climbing plants have been planted.