As I walked down to the Back gate to open it for Aaron early this morning I passed
the delicate pastel shades of Penny Lane which will have a powerful fragrance later in the day;
oriental poppies which have stubbornly clung to some petals despite the recent gales;
abundant Félicité Perpétue draped over a dead stump;
and rich red Ernest Morse.
A myriad of bees were already engaged in packing their pollen sacs.
Two masquerading as others were a striped hoverfly and a green shield bug.
A somewhat tattered Red Admiral fluttered by, occasionally pausing to rest.
The roses on the front trellis have been so weighty of late as to pull down their support. It was one of Aaron’s A.P. Maintenance tasks today to strengthen this section.
This afternoon we took a drive into the forest. First stop was Setley Ridge Garden Centre where Jackie bought some more trays of plants and I photographed
a bee on an ageratum.
We then took the Sandy Down route to the east.
There was a little delay on the road to Beaulieu as a foal was shepherded across the road.
At East Boldre several somnolent ponies occupied the road. Others, including a foal, snoozed on the grass. Unmoved, those on the road played havoc with the traffic of which they were oblivious for some time. One dappled grey seemed to have dislodged its reflective collar.
Suddenly, silently, the entire group took off for Masseys Road. The previously recumbent foal soon caught up.
Dangerously foraging on the verge of South Baddesley Road three ducks diced with death. The white one was sent out scouting. Eventually it got in a flap trying to convince its leading companion that crossing the road was not a good idea.
This evening we dined on a rack of pork spare ribs marinaded in sweet barbecue sauce and Jackie’s vegetable rice, with which she drank Blue Moon Belgian style wheat ale, and I drank more of the Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon.
I particularly enjoyed the story of the white duck – that seemed to be a definite ‘go back, go back’ kind of a gesture. Also a particularly handsome duck!!
Thanks very much, indeed, Pauline
Gorgeous photos
Nature truly is lovely
Many thanks, Cinnamon
You’re welcome 😊
So much colour in your garden. I laughed at your ducks all “in a flap”. 😃 Blue Moon is my favourite a🍺.
Thanks very much, Sylvia
Gorgeous garden shots, Derrick. The Sandy Down route looks so peaceful. That white duck is a good guy!
Thanks very much, Jill
Again stunning photos sir.
Thanks very much, Gary
The bees are nature’s busy lifesavers…..
I must say that your driving conditions are more interesting than ours.
🙂 Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
‘interesting’ is the word TP!!
Beautiful photos and wonderful commentary. I love the action shot of the flapping duck!
Thank you very much, Merril
Great pics as always Derrick.
Thanks a lot, Gary
That first photo of Penny Lane is beautiful, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Clare
Lovely photos
Many thanks, Mrs W
Thanks
The garden really is lovely and it’s always good to keep the bees happy. Poor ducks, it’s always difficult to cross a road. We hope they didn’t become lunch for someone.
I was hoping the same thing, LL/PS. Thanks very much
Love your Roses, reminds me when I lived in Tasmania, one of the first settlements for convicts back in the late 1700’s, the original settlers bought with them the old world English roses, the flowers were vibrant and the scent was adorably overpowering, I actually was successful in taking cuttings and growing them, and that’s why I love seeing your flowers and garden Derrick.
Cheers.
Thanks very much, Ian. You did well with your Tassie roses
The Red Admiral had tattered wings because birds’ beaks have grabbed him but he has escaped. I didn’t realise that roses could smell more at particular times of day. That is really clever!
Thanks very much, John. We do see a few tattered wings. We wonder if the sun affects the scent
OH! Your photos bring joy and smiles! Thank you, Derrick!
Oh, I love to hear a duck tail…er…ah…tale! And I always hope the end is happy! Wonder if any of the ducks were looking for the chicken?! 😉
I am always grateful for nature, insects, animals, etc., for reminding us human-beans to slow down and enjoy life…smell the roses, as they say. 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. The joys of retirement X
I am a great fan of Green Shield Bugs. And ducks. Always ducks. And the only real reason to have so many flowers is to feed the insects especially the bees.
🙂 Thanks very much, Paol
You could have titled it Ducks Dicing with Death — I like youre triple D! Hope they survive.
I hope so, too. It really was a narrow lane. Thanks a lot Sherry
I loved the duck story, but you know I lingered over the pony photos patiently watching the foal to catch up safely.
I do, indeed, GP. The foal eventually took the lead – like any other little kid 🙂 Many thanks
lol
Oh my, what a beautiful day you had! The flowers are gorgeous. I appreciate that you posted their names. I knew you and Jackie could do that! I love the ponies, and the bees. Those are what we call “H Bees” – they are solitary insects, unlike the social honeybee – but they are great pollinators. They do not make honey. They live on the nectar and pollen they gather. You captured some great photos of them! Thanks Derrick. <3
Thanks very much, Jan
Let’s hear it for the bees, whatever kind they are. And may those animals cross safely. Made me nervous just to look at the pictures.
Thanks very much, Laurie. I was most worried about the ducks
I can see why! My heart was in my throat just looking at the pictures.
Beautiful, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Julie
That was certainly a very productive day – and seemingly much more decent weather too!
Nice work – i love seeing the close-ups of the insects. 🙂
Our weather is decidedly unfriendly, but i did manage to catch some Banksia flowers before the rain resumed on the way back from my check-up at the hospital today. I hope to post them soon-ish. 🙂
Wet here today, Bob. Many thanks
Oh, such beautiful horses I would love to see that. All we get up here are sheep roaming free on the moors.
Thanks very much, Sue. Apart from the cars it is like being back in time
The ducks are cute, Derrick, but the ponies are phenomenal … one of God’s greatest creations, I think. I like that Penny Lane too. 😃
Thank you very much, Lesley
You have had a glorious day out while I was travelling. The flowers wear a magical look in those photos and I am surprised I can’t smell them. I feel sorry for the Red Admiral, and want to linger about the Sandy Down route.
Thank you very much, Uma
Oh, my, dinner sounds so good. You eat such marvelous meals. As usual, I’m so amazed at the sight of horses roaming unrestrained. Do they return to a farm , or home, at night? Does someone feed them or do they just live off the land? Such a peaceful place to live. 😊
Essentially they just live off the land, Steve. They are owned but are free to roam – the forest is their home. They are rounded up annually for a health check. People do feed them, but it is not advised. Thanks very much
You live in an idyllic place. Thanks, Derrick.
Wow 🌸🌸
Thanks very much, Ribana