Red Admiral

At last I have managed to blip a butterfly although it does not show it off as well as it might; I saw it feeding on the buddlia.

We had planned a trip to the seaside today, but the weather did not look good and I am pleased we did not go as it has been raining again here, as well as the seaside town we would have visited.

Common Red Soldier Beetle

This is a Common Red Soldier Beetle in flight; it took off as I focused the camera. It did settle again and I took several more pictures of it, but I liked this one best.

Very dull and overcast here today, but so far no rain; it is quite warm out too. Not a very busy day either so I have been taking lots of photographs of wild things for identification on iSpot.

Black and Yellow Fly

This morning I made cherry plum jam from some plums given to me by my daughter who has several trees producing these tiny plums in her garden. 

I took several images today and after much deliberation I decided to blip this black and yellow fly, which was seen feeding on the buddlia bush. I had hoped for a butterfly, but saw only one which promptly flew away. I do not not know exactly what this fly is called, but if I find out I will post an update. I almost included a Common Red Soldier Beetle, but there were lots of those in the wild garden so further blip opportunites to be had, whilst I had not seen a fly like this one before.

Wednesday 20 July - update - This has been identified on iSPot as a hoverfly. It looks very different to what I thought a hoverfly looked, but the experts on iSpot have identified as such.

Marsh Plant

A visit to the dentist this morning, not good for a Monday morning, but then it was followed by a session making cake pops, which were to have been my blip today. However, although they taste good, they do not look as good as they should, so that blip will have to wait for next time.

These pink flowers grow in the marshy area next to my home and this one had strayed into the wild area of the garden. I do not know exactly what it is called, but we call it a Marsh Plant, because it grows in the marsh.

I hit the spotlight yesterday, so many thanks to everyone who commented and viewed my blip.

Later identified as Rosebay Willowherb

Two for the price of One

I was taking images in the garden and thought one of a thistle might make a good blip. We have a lot of thistles in the part of the garden which we deliberately allow to go wild during the summer to attract wildlife. Suddenly I could see a honey bee and a hoverfly in my viewfinder at the same time, so here it is.

Garden Snail

It has been raining here all day, but has just stopped long enough for me to take this blip of a common garden snail in the clover.

The photoshoot at Milton Keynes was cancelled due to bad weather which was good in one way, as it is doubtful I could have gone as I am still having back problems. I also did not go to bed very early last night as my daughter managed to get a fish bone stuck in her throat. Her husband took her to Addenbrookes, but I had to go to her house to childsit her two children plus the two who are staying with her for the summer. Fortunately they were able to sort her out and no harm has been done, although she has a very scratched and sore throat.

Gazania

I had an early morning meeting in Cambridge this morning and then visited my favourite garden centre. I bought a gluten free macaroon and a mocha and after I had finished them I thought - that would have made a good blip!

I purchased a variety of plants for my front garden, including the window boxes and tubs. I purchased two of these Gazania plants, they produce several different colour flowers, all on the same plant and they seem to attract a large number of insects. I did make a collage with them, but then decided against using it, so here you have one of the plants, which is in one of the tubs by the front door.

It has been a warm day here, but I am told that it is going to rain; it feels as though there might be a thunderstorm. I am also told that it will be wet all weekend; well that saves watering the garden.

Enjoy your weekend, whatever you do.

Tea Clipper

This is a late blip today as I have been out since 0730 this morning. My husband had two hospital appointments today at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, one at twelve noon the other at 1700 hours. Early this morning, we went into Cambridge for brunch in John Lewis and then again, in between appointments we went shopping again. Our daughter also works at Addenbrookes so we were able to see her briefly during her lunch break. 

I took my camera to Cambridge, but forgot to take anything as I was busy shopping, buying new clothes, as well as a birthday present for one of the children staying with my daughter for the summer.

Then when I got home I had several emails to deal with from a student who had 'forgotten' to submit their final assignment and thought they had missed the deadline.

So it was a quick dash into the garden, then I ended up with two images, but decided on this apricot coloured David Austin rose; it is called Tea Clipper. Now time for tea and then hopefully I will have time to comment.

White Everlasting Sweet-pea

This is the white everlasting sweetpea, which I blipped in bud on 3 July 2011, if you missed it, you can view it here if you wish. It is the same stalk although taken from a slightly different angle.

Victoria - Prizegiving

Today was Junior Prizegiving at my grandchildren's Grammar School and Victoria won a prize for being in the top five for housepoints for her year. Neither of her parents were able to attend, being at work and unable to get time off, so it was down to Grandma and Grandad to do the honours.

This was taken by another parent after the prizegiving when there was a small reception for prizewinners and their families. I do not photograph well so make the most of seeing me here, or look away quickly; it has only been posted at Victoria's request, rather than one of her on her own with her prize.