Nugget was singing outside the stable door this morning at 6 a.m.
I stepped out early to take advantage of the bright morning light. Jackie tells me that our little robin was perched on top of this kniphofia yesterday evening for quite some time, chirping away. Other images are entitled in the gallery.
Here are more of the red hot pokers and heucheras.
Somewhere among these Weeping Birch branches Nugget began a tuneful game of hide and seek with me. Please don’t search for him in this picture. I couldn’t find him, and if you do I will be upset.
However, today’s “Where’s Nugget” (23a-e) offers five opportunities for his fans to find him – as many or as few times as you wish. You may notice he is singing in one of them.
He dropped down later when I began raking the paths. I fear I disappointed him on the insect front.
Heidi, our much loved former daughter-in-law visited today and stayed the night. We lunched on Jackie’s usual spread of cold meats, pies, salads, and cheeses with which we drank Prosecco.
We spent our time reminiscing and exchanging thoughts and feelings about Michael’s death. During one period I took Heidi on a tour of the garden.
Verbena bonarensis continues to attract bees and butterflies, mostly Small Whites.
Mama Mia looked quite splendid in the Rose Garden.
Japanese anemones are as prolific as ever.
Heidi was impressed with the quantity of seating. We enjoyed views across the lawn and down the Phantom Path while we spent some time on the Westbrook Arbour bench.
Elizabeth joined us for a while and we all four sat on patio chairs enjoying pleasant conversation.
Jackie, Heidi, and I dined on The Culinary Queen’s delicious cottage pie; crunchy carrots and broccoli; and tender runner beans from our garden. I finished the Shiraz and the ladies drank Yellow Tail Pinot Grigio 2018.
A good place to sit and talk.
Yes, indeed. Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
❤
X Thanks a lot, Becky
I didn’t want to upset you so I didn’t even look into the willow tree photo. I found your very well fed robin easily and identified the singing capture too. I enjoy my regular hunt for your feathered family member. I hope he popped in to visit with Heidi too. I suspect Heidi will always be your daughter-in-law, no matter what the future brings. I hope so anyway. There are many bitter-sweet times when meeting the shared loved ones of those we have lost aren’t there, especially when it’s been the sudden and too-soon kind that you have lived through. Your garden is definitely showing signs of that dried out, end of summer. appearance – but what a fabulous summer you have had in it. It got me through some chilly times down here <3 xo
Very many thanks, Pauline. You are right about our feelings for Heidi. Nugget did come and visit her while we were sitting on the bench. So pleased we helped you through your grey days X
What a gorgeous day to enjoy the garden. I spotted my pal Nugget! He’s so happy he’s found his forever home. <3
Thanks very much, Jill. Well spotted
Lovely! I’m glad Heidi paid a visit.
Thanks very much, Leslie
It sounds like a perfect, pleasant day and evening. It’s so good that Heidi came to visit — did she have an opportunity to meet Nugget? While he isn’t exactly the center of your household, he surely has become an important part.
I enjoyed seeing the Verbena bonerensis. It’s a common one here, known as Brazilian vervain. It is an insect magnet, for sure.
Thank you very much, Linda. Nugget did visit us all on the patio, and Heidi and me on the Wetbrook Arbour bench
You seem to have an extremely long growing season
We do, indeed. Thanks very much, Mrs W
Your welcome
As always I enjoy the gardening tours. I am also glad to hear you spent tim reminiscing and exchanging thoughts and feelings about Michael’s death to talk about it is often a sign of healing.
Indeed, msw. Thanks very much
Nugget is perched on a branch. Is this where he is singing?
It is, Dolly. Well done and thanks a lot
My pleasure, Derrick
I can totally understand why Nugget has set up home in your garden.
Thanks very much, Sheree
How sweet Nugget singing good morning to you haha.
Great post as always Derrick
Thanks very much, More
You’re very welcome
Your beautiful garden always gives you beautiful photographs Derrik.
Thanks very much, Dee
An enjoyable relaxing post Derrick, feels like you could sit anywhere in your garden and be surrounded with a vista of colour to soothe the mind, and enjoy the Tenors voice of Nugget.
Cheers.
Cheers, Ian. That is very true
Mother Nature in all Her glory in your garden.
Thanks very much, Cindy
Thank you for another lovely garden tour. I found Nugget on the five, didn’t look at the previous, if you could’t find him then what chance did we have?
I’m so glad daughter-in-law Heidi came to visit. I can’t bring myself to say ‘former’ because she’ll always be your daughter-in-law just as Michael will always be your son. I enjoy those times we as a family reminisce they are always welcomed.
I drank exactly the same as you last night, a gift from my son who came for supper on Friday but ended up staying two nights and he only lives ten minutes away!
Thanks very much, Sue. You couldn’t have known that former was in fact correct, although not in our hearts
Oh I see, now I understand! Thank you for clearing that up.
A robin’s song is so sad to a human, but to a fellow robin it’s an invitation to a punch-up!
Quite. Thanks very much, John
Nugget is in the middle of all those five frames 23a through 23e. I am happy you had the chance to spend time with Heidi and invoke loving memories.
Thank you very much, Uma. Well spotted
What a sweet day! 🙂
And I am so glad Heidi could spend time with you. So important for all of you. Did Nugget come out to join you all?
Nugget would be a good alarm clock! And he makes music to garden by! 😉 😀 As the leaves turn yellow, orange, and red, Nugget will be even harder to find in the trees! 😮
HUGS to all of you 🙂
Nugget did put in a couple of attendances, Carolyn. And he will look good in autumn garb. Thanks very much. x
He is almost at the tip of a branch 🙂
Yes – you are right, Arlene. Thanks very much
Nugget certainly blended in with the foliage in the photograph before the ‘Where’s Nugget?’ series, didn’t he. Or perhaps he was round the other side of the tree. Anyway, I found him singing or otherwise in the other photos. I wonder at what point a lady friend might join him?
Thanks very much, Helen. We are looking forward to his nuptials
I’ve never seen a fledgeling robin before
🙂
I hope nugget does not burn his feet on the Red Hot Pokers! 😉
A 6 am alarm call would not be on my list of favourite things in life but because it was Nugget i will forgive him – although i suspect you were both already awake, if only just? 😉 I believe i spotted nugget in the weeping birch, sitting near the main trunk on the arching branch close to the bottom of that pi! – he’s out of focus but the shade of orange on his breast kind of gives him away!
As for him singing i believe he is singing an Ode, in D (major!)…
“O -de red-red-robin comes bob-bob-bobbin’ alooonng!!” 🙂
(I’m here till Thursday – bring your friends!)
The bumblebee on the verbena is an excellent capture. 🙂
Have you, or are you considering, planting a tree or shrub of some kind in the garden in Michael’s honour or would that not feel quite right? I’m sure the grieving is nowhere near yet finished for any of you.
Thank you very much, Bob. You may have outspotted me. We haven’t really thought about planting a tree, but Lavinia Ross is planting one in America.
I don’t think I can add much to the comments above, and I share the sentiments about your son and Heidi. Beautiful photos, fun hide-and-seek. Do robins stay all winter where you are?
The robin does stay here through the winter, Merril. Thanks very much
I found Nugget in all 5, but in the large one, I enlarged it further to full size and I couldn’t spot him either. He’s getting to be a pro at this.
🙂 Thanks very much, GP
Finally, a wine I recognize – Yellow Tail Pinot Grigio. I feel like a member of the team at last!
Its kniphofia season already? And I note from one of your other posts that pannage has begun, too. Fall is here.
I’m glad you were able to talk about Michael and share memories with your daughter-in-law. It hasn’t been that long and I’m guessing the feelings might still be raw.
So right about the feelings, Sue. Thanks very much. I’ve never come across that wine before – Heidi brought it.
I think your garden is a microclimate or the area you live in is one. It’s still so beautiful, even while a few plants portend fall. I’m so glad you got a visit with Heidi and that you will be in touch. It helps. And nugget singing in the tree was his usual cute self. Will he migrate? If he does, I bet he will be back next spring.
Thanks very much, Lisa. The area is a microclimate. Our robins don’t migrate – he should be with us through the winter and into next year
That will be nice. Although it would be nice to have him return, too, if he migrated.
The Japanese anemones do remind me of Poet’s daffodils. Your gardens look lovely going into autumn.
Thank you very much, Lavinia
Derrick, I always enjoy tagging along on your trips through the garden. It is little wonder that Nugget has chosen it as his home.
Thanks very much, Jerry
How lovely to have Heidi come for a visit. I am sure there was so much to remeniss about, sweet and sad.
Yes, indeed, Laurie. Many thanks
Such a perfect location to spend time reminiscing.
x
X Thanks very much, Melanie
Your lovely garden is just the spot for reminiscing. How nice that Heidi came visiting.
Thank you very much, Clare
Lovely photos Derrick – your garden is beautiful. It certainly gives Nugget plenty of choice in hiding places!
Thank you very much, Stuart
How fantastic to have such a companion as that little bird.
Indeed, Paol. Thanks very much
We spotted Nugget in the last two photos. It must be wonderful to have a friend like him hanging around.
It is rather magical, LL/PS. Thanks very much
Your responses from your readers are priceless! I congratulate you for answering every one of them. You need a full time secretary!! (No need to answer this one!)
Thanks very much, Jan – I can’t help myself – I have to reply 🙂
Bless you, Derrick. You’re toooo much!! <3
🙂
Isn’t is lovely to awaken to the sound of birdsong and to follow it into the garden as the summer flowers wane.
Very well put, Liz. Thanks a lot
You’re welcome, Derrick!
I can smell that Mama Mia rose–I am certain of it! 🙂
🙂 Thanks very much, Cynthia
Wonderful close up of the bee, and I love how you captured the sunlight through the petals of Mama Mia. All that golden, peach, and coral light.
Thanks very much, Crystal