Saturday 26 May 2012

Sunday safari

During the night I hear them croaking.......I drift into a very peaceful sleep.    The pond is full of frog spawn.
 A lone damselfly sits quietly and I wonder..........
 Moths hide, waiting patiently for the darkness of night to fall, time for them to feed from the wildflowers in the garden.
 There is no shortage of food for the ladybirds, there is plenty of greenfly to share with the Bluetits.
 Mason bees are filling the new units quickly.........I love to watch them work.
 Sparrowhawks are feeding their young.   A male blackbird was the unfortunate victim today.    I heard his cries as he was taken.     Nature can be cruel, something I have learnt to accept.
 A garden should give up its secrets slowly........
 Where is heaven? Is it not, just a friendly garden plot........The words of Bliss Carman often spring to mind as I walk the garden each day.
For this is my little piece of heaven, right here on earth :)

Happy Sunday safari.

24 comments:

  1. Is the flower a clematis? It looks quite magical in your photo. Love the frogs too - I couldn't agree more about gardens being special places.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rowan,

      Indeed it is, Miss Bateman :)

      Delete
  2. A piece of heaven for sure! I love the insects and marvel at their work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi ncmountainwoman,

      Tku....I to marvel at the things I see. We can learn so much just from watching the insects at work.

      Delete
  3. Dear Cheryl,
    Coming to your garden is coming to heaven's gate....
    You are a phenologist...one who understands the relationship of flora and fauna. Nature responds to the rains, winds and temperatures.
    Your gardens are teeming with life.
    We are witnesses and stewards. I love the way you honor your garden.
    I also have been watching the bees. My bee box is filled for next year. The bees could use another.
    Summer is here on the Tallgrass Prairie....I am inside by noon.
    Thank you for opening your garden gate...welcoming weary travelers to heaven on earth. I am refreshed.
    Happy Sunday Safari.
    Sherry, who dances with butterflies

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Sherry,

      Your bee box is filled...this is good news.
      I added two more boxes this year. The old ones are looking tatty but the bees still use them.

      Tku so much for your kind words.....I am humbled.

      Delete
  4. Aahhhh your garden is an oasis. Not only for wildlife but for us bloggers. Happy Sunday Safari.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lisa,

      Tku Lisa.....you are just too kind, my friend :)

      Delete
  5. A very peaceful post - I felt very calmed after your guided tour.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tku Elaine, so glad you enjoyed it ........

      Delete
  6. Hi Cheryl,

    Beautiful photos; I especially love the wisteria and long for one myself but do not have the space for such massive climbers!

    I hope you've had a lovely weekend, and the week stays nice for you (although rain overnight would be nice!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Liz,

      We inherited the wisteria from the previous owner.
      It does struggle here, the situation is not ideal.
      The day we moved in I found it lying across the drive.....it is rooted by the side of the house.
      My husband put three arches up for it to climb over.....whilst it is very beautiful, it takes a lot of looking after. Wouldn't personally have one by choice again ......

      We are supposed to have rain mid week, and I do hope that will be so. I would be more than happy for the odd shower....not torrential downpours though :)

      Delete
  7. Hi Cheryl...Down where the tiny things are, and where the pollen blows and the sent of heaven grows...lovely safari!!
    grace

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Delightful Grace....positively charming.

      Delete
  8. That was a lovely relaxing safari, well apart from the sparrowhawk bit, but that's nature for you. I came across frogs and baby squirrels today, but they wouldn't let me take their photo. Oh well, there's always tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI Crystal,

      Yes, something always comes along and spoils those moments of tranquility, don't they :)

      Delete
  9. So lovely, Cheryl--both your photos and your words. Your garden is indeed a piece of heaven on earth.

    Our spring has quickly turned into summer here with record-high temperatures for this time of year. But the insects have really come to life in the past few weeks, and I've been watching the birds more--after spending a week with Lisa:)

    Have a wonderful week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rose,

      How wonderful that Lisa has taken you in another direction. I know like Jan she has a passion for birds.
      I hear you had a great time on the Spring Fling....I am so pleased :)

      Delete
  10. Just lovely! A little piece of heaven indeed. I do like the frog photo, is it the Marsh Frog? It looks like it to me, judging by the green colour. We don't have them here, I think they are pretty well restricted to Kent and East Sussex.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jan,

      Unfortunately it is a Marsh Frog. They eat anything and everything in their path, including our wildlife.
      I wish they weren't here BUT they are, so that is that :)

      Delete
  11. Hi Cheryl! Very nice pics! I love your very pale wisteria, I want one of that colour to climb around the pillars of the house once I'll have it painted again! frogs and toads croaking at night make me feel safe too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tku Alberto,

      Wisteria are beautiful but they can be hard work.
      I have a seedling that has rooted near the mother plant....pity you do not live a little closer you could have it :)

      Delete
  12. I am just wowed by your photography in this post! Truly amazing what you've captured. I can quite see your garden being a little slice of heaven for you and for us too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love every one of these pictures, especially the one of the damselfly, so beautiful. Ladybirds are most welcome here too, there are so many greenfly!

    Thank you for showing us all your beautiful plants and garden dwellers. Your posts are always such a delight. xx

    ReplyDelete