Garden maintenance – mostly clearing up and dead heading – began early this morning for us both.
No doubt attracted by the redolent scent of roses released by the warm sunshine, bees buzzed and butterflies flittered around me as I wielded the secateurs.
Bees and Red Admirals both tried the fading Festive Jewel;
both also favoured verbena bonariensis,
as did Comma and Small White butterflies.
Worker bees were mostly partial to Summer Wine.
A little later we drove to Milford Pharmacy for a repeat prescription; to Tesco for E10 unleaded petrol; to Ferndene Farm shop for three bags of compost and various vegetables; and to the forest for a preprandial drive.
Heather beamed bright on the verges of Burley Road, while
a group of ponies were already sheltering under the trees at the corner of Burley Lawn, doing their best to switch off each other’s flies, by the head to tail method.
This presented some logistical problems arising from a certain size difference.
Later this afternoon I posted https://derrickjknight.com/2021/09/03/a-knights-tale-26-town-halls-trams-and-trolley-buses/
This evening we dined on oven fish and chips, onion rings, and peas, with which Jackie finished the Pinot Grigio and I drank more of the Comte Tolosan Rouge.
I notice the little pony in the second last photograph seems to have a twisted back hoof.It is good to see butterflies in your garden.
That was a good spot, Anne. The ponies often sleep with one back leg off the ground. I think that is what it was. Butterflies have taken a long time to come this year. Thanks very much.
Poor ponies. So many flies, so few ways to catch relief.
Thanks very much, Pat
Ah, team effort (big and small) on the ponies’ part to swish away the flies. Almost as sweet as your bees and butterflies on flowers.
Thanks very much, Pam
Beautiful photos the butterflies are so lovely
Thank you very much, More
You’re welcome Derrick
I like the butterflies.
Thanks very much, Sylvie
Those butterflies are so pretty. Logistical problems!😀
Thanks very much, Merril
Great butterfly photos – nice to see a variety. We have much the same logistical problem when one of us sinks to the bottom of the bed and pulls the duvet down, leaving a lot of me sticking out in the cold. Next time I will marry a taller women.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal 🙂
That header photo sure is a study in contrasts! I love the butterfly photos.
Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Good to see a varied selection of butterflies and bees.
At last, Tootlepedal. Thanks a lot.
What wonderful butterflies – they really are such stunning creatures!
Summer Wine looks such a lovely rose… delicate and attractively old style – I wonder if it has a scent, and is a good repeat flowering variety?
The New Forest ponies seem such a docile lot – perhaps their somehow more independent life, living alongside but not at the whim of, humans, helps foster this?
Thanks very much, Emma.
The butterflies have only recently returned.
Summer Wine is a beautiful climber which has a good scent and flowers throughout the summer.
The ponies conserve their energy for cropping grass all day, but they can kick and bite so it pays to be careful and remember they are wild.
So glad your butterflies have returned. Your garden must be the equivalent of a honey pot for them with such an abundance of blooms throughout such a long season – so well designed by the Head Gardener! I will remember Summer Wine, and one day, will hope to enjoy it in my own garden; thank you! Those ponies sound a little like our feral cat – chilled, but living life on her own terms!
Just at the moment the ponies would probably appreciate a bit of chill
Beautiful butterflies Derrivk ..
“Haiku…Witty Butterfly”
singing butterfly
decrees, have my wings and fly
join me in the sky
Thanks very much, Ivor the poet
We get the same butterflies.
Ours have only recently appeared again, Sherry. Thanks very much.
The numbers are way below average for butterflies and other insects.
The Red Admirals are gorgeous! We ordered Chinese tonight because of your mention of takeaway. Now I’m craving fish and chips!😉
🙂 “Dear or dear, such an influencer you are” said Jackie
🤣
gorgeous captures from your garden, Derrick and quite variety of butterflies! delightful to see the ponies but i feel sorry for them. those flies!!
Thanks very much, Lola. It is only recently that the butterflies have returned.
You are a proud host to the tiny winged beauties. Elsewhere, tiny winged pests make lives miserable for the hoofed beings.
They do, indeed. We are experiencing a few mosquitos too, at the moment. Thanks very much, Uma
Don’t you get me started on mosquitoes, Derrick!
I’ll bet you know all about them, my friend
The bees and butterflies have been busy in your gardens, Derrick and Jackie. The littlest pony is adorable. Seems she is the right height to receive tail swish services for flies, but too short to reciprocate. It won’t be long before fly season is over.
Thank you very much, Lavinia. Our temperatures are back in the low 20s
Beautiful, beautiful flowers and butterflies! A double delight.
Thank you very much, Laurie
The detail in those butterflies is amazing! I like the healther with the yellow flowers in front.
Thanks very much, JoAnna
Your garden is a haven for wildlife
Thanks very much, Sheree
Pleasure Derrick
Butterflies and bees a nice addition to the garden. The white horse certainly has long white lashes. Gorgeous.
Thank you very much, Chrissy
Yes, they garnish the flowers, and keep them alive.
Poor ponies. Open windows in this house are restricted to early morning before the flies wake up. We daren’t leave a door open either. The flies are such a nuisance at this time of year, far worse than the in height of summer.
Quite so, Sue. Thanks very much.
Red Admirals are such beautiful butterflies,but I doubt if I’ve even seen a dozen all “summer”.
Yes, John. Ours have been very late in arriving. Thanks very much.
Logistical problems made me grin! 🙂 Like most little dogs…I’m sure that little pony has no idea he/she is little! 😉 😀 Probably just feels like one of the gang! 🙂 I always love how little female dogs take charge…even over HUGE dogs! Cracks me up! 😛
Always a joy to see the butterflies and bees in photos and in person! I could watch them for hours!
Some years ago, on several occasions, we got to visit Butterfly Farms in Encinitas, CA. It was such a joy to spend time with all of the butterflies that live there! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you so much, Carolyn X
Your insects all serve a purpose in Nature, but I wish they’d leave my ponies alone! Great pictures today, Derrick!
Thanks a lot, GP
It is a good thing you were able to catch the butterflies and those ponies look great.
Thank you very much, Arlene
Such beautiful photos of the butterflies and bees! I hope those poor ponies get some relief from the heat and flies.
Thanks very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
The butterflies are gorgeous, especially the red admirals.
x
Thanks very much, Melanie X
Poor ponies are doing their best under the circumstances.
They are. Thanks very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Horse flies, deer flies, are they the same. In either case, they fall into the same category as mosquitoes…NUISANCE! Loved your butterflies and bees, and, of course, the free roaming horses. Wonderful post, Derrick.
I image they are, Steve. Thanks very much
Working in the garden it must be difficult but what a fantastic place to work 🌸😍
Thank you very much, Ribana