We enjoyed another day of pleasantly temperate weather.
Antirrhinums are blooming throughout the garden.
Clematis Marie Boisselot, now entering the third age has applied a blue rinse to her naturally white locks;
the stalwart Star of India shines less bright, yet it still graces the Gothic Arch opposite
the red and white of Super Elfin and Penny Lane living in harmony.
A white gladiolus and a red dahlia each radiate charm.
Fuchsia Night Nurse continues to soothe,
and sweet peas produce plentiful seed pods.
Bees home in on For Your Eyes Only,
and enjoy the sedum’s soft pile;
a ladybird scales the Westbrook Arbour;
Small White butterflies cling to verbena bonarensis;
and this solitary flier, tattered beyond recognition, flitted from bidens bloom to bloom
until seeking suitable camouflage, sinking onto stone below. Can anyone identify it?
While he was keeping an eye on the Head Gardener I asked Nugget if he was ready for his close up, and he cheerfully obliged.
I hope this “Where’s Nugget?” (12) will compensate for yesterday’s nigh impossible challenge.
A drowsy wood pigeon in the cypress tree,
attempting to keep an eye on us while we were enjoying our pre-dinner drinks on the patio, could barely keep it open.
We left him to it and partook of Jackie’s wholesome beef in red wine, creamy mashed potatoes, cauliflower and carrots al dente, and tender runner beans grown by the Head Gardener who had drunk her Hoegaarden outside. I drank more of the Malbec.
Fabulous flowers as ever. I find butterflies difficult to identify and this one is probably a little beyond me anyway because of its raggedness, but maybe this page will help: https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/identify-a-butterfly
A useful link, Val. Thanks very much. A Painted Lady seems favourite.
It looks like a beautiful first day of September in your area, Derrick and Jackie. A pleasant partly cloudy day in progress here.
Poor butterfly! It is sad to see them tattered so.
Little Nugget looks so cherry, as always!
Thank you very much, Lavinia. I liked the ‘cherry’
I think I meant cheery…. 🙂 The spellchecker works even if it is the wrong word. 🙂
🙂
Your photograph of the tattered butterfly, it’s translucent shadow and the carved stonework is not only beautiful but also an artwork illuminating the fragile beauty of age – or is it just me that sees that? Nugget is very easy to find today 🙂 And also looking amazingly healthy and cheerful in his closeup.
Thank you very much, Pauline. I hope you will not be alone in your astute insight. I thought an easy one today was in order after your eye-strain 🙂 X
A lovely stay-at-home post and the visitors to your garden certain to keep you company. That Nugget sure is a ham!!
Thanks very much, GP. Sometimes we have enough going on here to prevent us from wanting a trip out.
I can understand that. Something usually takes me out of the house 5 days a week and I do look forward to those 2 at home.
Beautiful flowers sir. Ours are definitely on the wain. The leafs are starting to turn.
Thanks very much, Gary
Our leaves are turning as well. All but the goldenrod has waned itself out.
Love the photos and the dinner sounds great! Your garden photos always help to relax me
I’m pleased, Lisa. Thanks very much.
I love little Nugget.
Thanks very much, Leslie
I think it’s a painted lady, perhaps from Africa given how tatty it is…..but still in business!
Great post Derrick,
That pigeon looked tired. Haha
Thanks very much, More. It certainly did 🙂
Haha,
You’re welcome
What a gorgeous day! Well, my blurry eyes sure didn’t miss sweet little Nugget today, Derrick. That photo and and sleepy pigeon would make great puzzles! 🙂
P.S. Loved the ladybug shot, too!
🙂
🙂 Thank you very much, Jill
I too am in the painted lady camp. It is remarkable how tattered butterflies can get and still fly.
Nugget is developing his/her modelling skills very well. Is a professional career being contemplated?
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal. We are now pretty sure Nugget is a he – he shouts at another attempting to join him.
That sounds like male behaviour.
Great pics as always Derrick. Glad the weather cooperated!
Thanks very much, Gary
Yes, I vote Painted Lady too. We have several regulars in the front garden and they are all looking a bit tatty. I too am amazed at how much wing they can lose and still function.
Thanks very much, Quercus. Painted Lady it is
Just seen four in the front garden – it really is a great year for Painted Ladies.
So I understand, but this is the first I’ve seen
🙂 There’s always something new…
Crystal clear close-ups and gorgeous photos, as always.
Thank you very much, Sheree
As always Derrick, your photos are as wonderful as ever.
Thank you very much, Jerry.
The drowsy wood pigeon is quite at home in your soulful garden. It seems Mr Nugget has come to realise its better to pose for a portrait than staying camouflaged in the leafy expanse undetected by a majority of followers.
Quite so, Uma. He is feeling remorseful. Many thanks
All so wonderful, and I can certainly see Nugget today:)
Thanks very much, Becky. Making up for yesterday
All the clicks are treat to our eyes but I am obviously mesmerized by a ladybird scales the Westbrook Arbour. Regards.
🙂 Thanks very much, Harbans
Thanks Derrick sir. :))
I always find September a sad time for our floral displays. They’re so bright and colourful throughout our summer months, cheering our days withstanding and despite some awful weather, but now a few are beginning to take on a tired and jaded appearance.
I think your beauties might last a little longer than mine.
Thank you very much, Sue. It is warmer down here
I think that ladybird is going to give little Nugget a run for his money when it comes to catching insects in your garden!!! 😉
He is much easier to spot today and seems even more handsome for it in his close-up! 🙂
I have to say, i’m very impressed by the quality of the focus on all your insects today, matched only by the sharp wit of your floral descriptions. 🙂
And Painted Lady for sure; the three large and two smaller white spots on the wingtips confirm it.
Thanks very much, Bob. Painted Lady it is. I owed an easier “Where’s Nugget?” to my faithful flock.
We could all do with a good ‘test’ from time to time to keep us on our toes! 😉
September is starting off beautifully in the garden! 🙂 Busy with bloomin’, buzzin’, eatin’, restin’…love all of the insects, birds, flowers! 🙂
I feel sad when life (and the weather) is harsh on those delicate winged-beauties. 🙁 We human-beans can relate…life can beat us up at times. 🙁
Nugget was ready for his beautiful close-up! 🙂 He brings us joy! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Very many thanks, Carolyn X
Wonderful, Derrick. Close to idyllic. Can’t help with the ID, I’m afraid. Question for you: my mother used to call antirrhinums ‘bunny-rabbits’. Was that unique, or have you come across this before? If so – any idea why? Anyone?!
We have both certainly heard that. If you squeeze them gently they do resemble bunnies. Thanks very much, Mike.
I was quite taken with the sedums, as well as the ladybird. Their variety is fascinating, but yours may be the brightest and clearest red I’ve seen. I gave up trying to find Nugget yesterday; I’m glad to read I wasn’t alone. But, my — what a great portrait you’ve provided of that handsome bird today!
Thanks very much, Linda. I felt I owed it to all my readers 🙂
A lovely post of flowers, insects, and birds. I liked Nugget’s star turn here, and the sleepy-eyed wood pigeon. It looks like a beautiful–still late summer day– to take a nap outdoors. We had a similar day yesterday with my mom napping in a garden. 🙂
Many thanks, Merril. I’m glad your Mom experienced that
Thank you, Derrick.
I love your description of “Clematis Marie Boisselot, now entering the third age has applied a blue rinse to her naturally white locks.” It’s my favorite out of the group of photos, too.
Thank you very much, Liz. We hope this is not a permanent rinse
🙂
Delightful, Derrick; lovely homage as the season turns, meteorologically at least. And nice to see Nugget looking so well!
Thank you very much, Sandra
Fabulous flower fotos! And, yes, Nugget, looking oh so handsome, was much easier to find today.
Thanks very much, Laurie. I owed you all an easier one
Derrick, you not only captured the stunning flowers in your garden but the creatures that appreciate and enhance its beautiful.
Thanks very much, Drew
Nugget is now posing for portraits! I can imagine why he has stayed in the garden, for it remains really beautiful. And that butterfly–painted lady was my guess, too, not knowing the size. If it’s smaller it could be a question mark or a fritillary–but it seems lighter than both of those. Thanks for another beautiful tour.
Thank you very much, Lisa
What a pleasant way to start my morning!!! I love your garden and your photographs are spectacular. Happy September to you and yours!
Thanks very much, Gael
Lovely as usual! I love that sweet peas flowers 🙂 and Nugget of course 🙂
Thanks very much, Ribana
Beautiful, Derrick! I do so adore that sweet little Nugget!
Many thanks, Julie
With so much practice, you have captured excellent portraits of Nugget. I would be so pleased if I could have such a portfolio on one of my birds, but you and the robin have developed a relationship, and that makes it different. Your caption at the top “a blue rinse” is perfect. The Marie Boisselot is gorgeous.
Thank you very much, Crystal