Fuschia

There are so many different varieties of fuschia; I don't know specifically what this one is called. I love the shape of these flowers, there is so much going on with the umbrella shade, the bell flowers and the long tendrils. They look a bit like ballerinas or fairies. So if you like fairies you will love these flowers.

Dog Rose

Here's a dog rose, isn't it pretty...

The stamen look a bit like bean sprouts too.

Peaceful Purple

I'm not sure what to say about today's flower, I'm not sure what it is although I think it may be a species of Cornflower (if anybody knows please feel free to leave a comment and let me know). It was growing against a backdrop of dark green foliage so the soft purple shades in the strong sunlight made it really stand out. The way the petals spread out like fireworks make this quite a spectacular specimen.

Watching and Waiting

I was supposed to be down in the New Forest this evening starting a short camping holiday and so I was expecting to post some shots of the forest using my phone but sadly my plans have changed and my holiday has had to be cancelled so I am sharing another shot taken on Saturday of this beautiful fledgling kestrel that was hiding in the foliage watching everything in the garden very intently.

To be honest I feel pretty rotten today but looking at this gorgeous bird my spirits have lifted somewhat. I hope that it will give you a lift too.

Golden Marguerite

In the centre of the walled garden there is a small area that is like a wild flower meadow and one of the standout flowers is the yellow daisy. It was like a carpet of tiny suns lighting up the garden; really beautiful. Of course it helps because it is my favourite colour.

And then when you get close in and look at the detail the surface is like another world...

It's In The Details

I had gone to Royden Parks' walled garden looking for flowers and flying things and I managed to get a decent selection of shots to share. Most are quite beautiful like the kestrel or the various flowers but this fly is a bit of a surprise with its shiny back and colourful eyes.

Also something that is not normally noticeable are the tiny hairs or the black spikes on the edge of the leaf.

We often miss the finer details and where insects are concerned (particularly flies) we brush them aside without a closer look but if we take the time they are quite spectacular, even if they have filthy habits.

Flowers and Flying Things

Just after lunch I announced that I would be going out to the walled garden at Royden Park as I needed some new pictures for my blog. It was really hot and sunny and I thought I would get some nice close up shots of flowers. What I didn't expect was to see some fledgling Kestrels taking their first foray into the big wide world.

I had heard some screeching in the background and thought I would check it out, then while I was taking a picture of a lovely flower a young girl timidly approached and said that she had seen a kestrel in the tree and pointed me in the right direction. 

It wasn't one but three young kestrels two of which you can see in the shots above. They are so beautiful and it was a genuine thrill and a privilege to see them up close like this.

Fill your boots

This male Chaffinch was certainly filling his boots at the bird feeding station in Royden Parks' walled garden. He didn't actually stop for very long and so getting these shots was very satisfying. I love the striking colours on this beautiful bird, from the blue grey on its head and beak to the pinks in his cheeks and his brown back and then the bold pattern on his wings.

He really is a beautiful little bird.

Coming to Life

There is something elegant about the sleek tulip bud as it develops and bursts into a colourful flower. The external shell gives the slightest hint of the colour to come.

I like the natural lighting in this shot, it is almost like there is a halo around the flower.

Forget Me Not

I didn't post anything yesterday as I was feeling out of sorts and couldn't really get motivated to choose a picture to share. I'm still not feeling great but I didn't want to let another day go by in case I fall into a bad habit.

I wanted to share something bright and colourful and something that tells us spring is here, and something that will lift my spirits and hopefully yours too. 

These beautiful Forget Me Nots were captured on my recent visit to the walled garden at Royden Park. I hadn't noticed until I posted the image that the central nodes around the centre of the middle flower are white whereas those on the other flowers in this shot are all yellow.

Stage Fright

I know that Robins are really popular with a lot of people. There is something very special about them and they're definitely one of my favourite birds. I love listening to their beautiful song, whenever I hear it it makes me smile and feel really good. 

I have called today's post Stage Fright because this little chap was singing beautifully and I managed to get a few shots with its head back and beak open trilling away and then he just stopped. My son suggested that it was because he realised he was being photographed hence the title. While it works as a funny title I can exclusively reveal that he was simply pausing for breath and soon after the second shot he started singing once again. Beautiful!

A Blue Tit

Always a favourite of mine, the Blue Tit. Such a dainty little bird with pretty plumage.

While this one was flitting back and forth to the different feeders, filling up on nuts and seeds I spotted another little Blue Tit flying around gathering moss and feather obviously to line a nest. 

At one point I also heard a knocking sound which at first I took to be a woodpecker but looking around I saw that it was in fact another Blue Tit pecking away to enlarge the entry hole to a nest box on the wall of a shed. This surprised me and impressed me at the same time to see such a tiny bird customising the nest box to fit its purpose and make it more accesible.