A day in the life of a wildlife gardener.

Each day the mallards come to take a bath in the pond.    They leave such a mess, plants upturned, and worse of all they disturb the sediment at the bottom of the pond, which blocks the filter.    We all prefer to wash in clean water....I suppose it is the same for ducks.

Sawfly larvae are stripping the silver birch trees.    I remember the words of Piet Oudolf (my hero) "Such instances pass, and most plants have evolved to cope with such onslaughts."

The pigeon is back, I think he is ringed.   He looks healthy.....well he would be, this restaurant caters for everyone's taste.

Butterflies are back.   Not in huge numbers, but they are here. 

So many species in decline.   When they visit the garden, for a brief moment in time, I feel everything is right with the world.

Leucanthemum 'goldrush' a new planting....temptation is a terrible thing.

Evening Primrose......a weed to some....wildflower to me.

Cerinthe planted in the border.   I have not done this before, I usually keep them in pots.   They are growing into 'mini shrubs' and look absolutely exquisite.  Note to self: do this next year!

Maltese Cross spreads like wildfire in this garden.    I like her, especially when mother nature gives a helping hand and ox-eye daisies appear beside her.

Oh dear, another new planting.    I told you temptation is a terrible thing.    Veronica grandis.....well she is lovely, isn't she?     And of course, the bees will love her more than I do....

Rambling Rector and I have had such a battle.   I gave him the best of everything but for two years he failed to bloom.    I was about to give up on the 'Rector', so pleased I didn't, for now he scrambles through elder and is such a pretty sight.  More than that, his perfume is exquisite, and delights this gardener from dawn till dusk.      As I stand taking in his beauty I hear the skylark sing.   I walk to a clearing, I cannot see him, he is too  high but I can hear him.   I think of Gramps and recall how many times we stood together looking at the sky......looking for the skylark.

I go inside to find my treasure box.    Photographs, precious images, of my time spent with Nannie and Gramps.      Sweet memories......I loved to feed the rabbits....Ha:) I am still doing that now.

Just had to show you this one.   My Nannie had found me in the goose pen, I was feeding them.   Everyone else was frightened of them and would not go in without a stick to 'shooo' them away.
They never hurt me but then I liked them.    Nannie really told me off....and Dad took the photograph.   I think my face says it all.   Mr P always says my facial expressions say more than words ever can.....I think he may be right.....Ha:)