natural design

some new roof finials have appeared

off the wall

a very placid female wall brown warming up for a day's sport.

morning walking 2

the otter spraint (we find it exciting, and some of us would roll in it if allowed)

there must be enough fish in the river for otters and kingfishers

arrowed for assistance(!)

morning walking 1

Sometimes as this morning a walk becomes life enhancing. The mist in the valley was just lifting as the day warmed up. The first thing we saw was the brilliant flash of blue of a kingfisher, and although we did not realise it at the time (at least maybe subliminally we did) he posed on a branch while we photographed the river. Then the meadows were full of butterflies. Usually fritillaries are very nervous but today they seemed oblivious to our presence. It quickly became clear that it was mating day and the air was full of males fighting for the attention of a few ragged females. Apart from the barrel rolling flight which is very difficult to photograph, we saw a male and female land together and the male embark on a trembling wing display before mating. And then on the way home we found some very fresh otter spraint. And the sun was out. And all was well with the world.

natural opportunism

our old dead apple tree has suddenly flowered again. I am not sure what sort of flower this is but I suspect the seed has come from the bird seed put out in the garden, and has been dropped by one of the birds that uses the tree as a perch. It looks like a malnourished sunflower.

a band of happy followers

done with the vet, off on our hols to pastures new