This morning while gardening Jackie photographed
rose Emily Gray, a highly scented rambler gracing
the back drive border out of sight in this shot;
clematis Doctor Ruppel climbing the weeping birch;
a row of blue irises with the bonus of a yellow stowaway in the bag of bulbs;
Nugget,
and his son Junior, still not qualified to wear the red jersey.
After lunch I managed the photoshoot.
On the kitchen corner of the patio we have delicate magenta gladioli Byzantinus blending with deep blue verbena Vectura and pink pelargoniums,
in turn reflecting similarly hued diascia potted above cascading Erigeron.
Nearby stands this peach rose we inherited.
Ornamental alliums of a number of varieties are gradually un-peeling throughout the garden.
Nugget attempted to encourage his son to feed from the suet pellet tray, but the youngster was deterred by my wandering around
the vicinity of the wisteria arbour.
I therefore focussed on this from above, showing how the rose Paul’s Scarlet and the clematis Star of India are poised to replace the fading pale blue blooms.
Later Jackie came in for her camera when Nugget and Junior both occupied the tray. Unfortunately they were gone by the time she returned.
Later, Nugget left Junior to his own devices while he flew off with a pellet for the next brood. Apparently robins are such prolific breeders that they can produce 3 to 5 clutches of up to five eggs a year. As soon as the youngsters earn the red jersey they are chased off by their father, so Junior will soon go and find someone else’s garden.
The marigolds in the Oval Bed continue to proliferate.
In the Rose Garden For Your Eyes Only is bushing out nicely, while Gloriana towers above it;
Schoolgirl vaults the arbour;
and flamboyant Festive Jewel,
sprightly Summer Wine and middle-aged Madame Alfred Carriere
carelessly cavort in concert.
This evening we dined on minted lamb steaks, boiled new potatoes; crunchy carrots and cauliflower; and firm Brussels sprouts with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the El Zumbido Garnacha, Syrah.
So lovely
Thanks very much, Maria.
Derrick and Jackie, your garden is a poem.
Ideal to read.
Images lull me into rest.
Happiness. 🌞
Thank you very much from us both, Kavitha.
Its been a long day of work and a hectic commute both ways. Came home too late to enjoy the light if my garden. I enjoyed yours.
Sorry about the commute. I’m so pleased I don’t have to do it any more.
OMG, your garden tour is amazing and happy to meet junior nugget.
Thanks very much, Rupali.
Pleased to meet you, Nugget Junior (erm… how did you determine the gender?).
Ah, your roses – unending source of delight!
Thanks very much, Dolly. Pure guesswork. 🙂
Thought so.
You are very welcome, Derrick.
I’m a bit fan of Nugget, so was very happy to meet Junior! It must be such fun to see them every day. And it’s a good thing you don’t have a cat!
Thanks very much, Marina. It is, indeed.
Nugget is teaching Junior well. I don’t think he’ll find as nice a garden anywhere to compete with Jackie’s handiwork!
Maybe he won’t be far away, GP. Thanks very much.
Wonderful to see Nugget Junior is thriving well… Those Roses wow Derrick… Ours are in tight bud… 🙂 loved your photos as I always do.. 🙂
Thank you very much, Sue
🙂 💚
Fabulous photos! Are you in the US? I am in the NorthEast US and it is still too cold to see many flowers.
Thanks very much, Stine. We are in England’s New Forest.
Nice to meet one of the new brood though I hadn’t appreciated that Robins had so many. The garden is looking so colourful. I’m very impressed you know the names of all the plants. Of course, you could just be making them up and I would be none the wiser.
🙂 I’m learning from the Head Gardener, Sheree. Thanks very much, Sheree.
What lovely flowers.
Thanks very much, Mrs W.
Your welcome
So at what point does Junior get the red jersey? It’s good to know that Papa Nugget takes a leading hand in teaching him the ways of the world. The breeding rate is quite phenomenal I’m guessing Mrs Nugget is quite exhausted!
LOL Pauline!
🙂 Jodie!
Both parents must be knackered. Nugget is shooting back and forth from dawn to dusk. He arrived as a juvenile with a developing jersey last July, so I guess we will lose junior about then.
Beautiful, beautiful flowers, but I am all agog about Nugget junior!
I know! So cool that dad brings him over to teach him the ropes.
🙂
🙂 That is so good, Laurie. Thanks a lot.
It is very heartwarming to meet Nugget Junior.
What a fantastic garden. These posts always comfort and inspire me.🤗
I’m pleased, Sally. Thank you very much.
Lovely visit to your garden. Nice to see Nugget junior.
Thank you very much, Peggy.
Nugget is such a good little fella! Gosh, all of these photos are so beautiful, I can’t pick a favorite. Thanks for sharing, Derrick!
And thank you so much, Jill.
That brought a smile.
I’m pleased, Gary. Thank you very much.
Such beauty!
I loved seeing Nugget and Junior, they obviously give you both a lot of pleasure.
They do, indeed, Sue. Thank you very much
Mrs Nugget must be having an exhausting time, but poor old Nugget is also starting to look a bit worse for wear. Interesting how he never migrated for winter. He’s obviously found his happy place in your garden.
Nugget does look rather tatty. He is up at dawn and continues to feed late into the evening. The current brood is at least the second. Thanks very much, Gwen
The flowers are so beautiful, carelessly cavorting or not. It’s exciting to see Nugget Junior. Do Mr. and Mrs. Nugget stay together after this season and multiple broods?
We haven’t discovered whether they are monogamous or not, although some birds do mate for life. I guess we will find out. Good question, Merril. Thank you very much.
Oh… Derrick… Nugget Junior, is a cute one….. and his appearance has made my… and I see a tear drop to my keyboard….
Lovely comment, Ivor. Thank you very much.
Very Springy post.
Thank you very much, Chrissy.
Nugget and Co are an endless source of enjoyment.
They are, indeed. Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal.
Your and Jackie’s photos and words are especially lovely today. And I just LOVE that Nugget brings his junior around! Very special, indeed! And interesting facts about the red jersey being the signal to send junior off to find his own way. Nature is an endless source of interest.
It is quite a cycle, Jodie. We are learning all the time. Thank you very much.
: )
I echo the same sentiments, the combination (of both your and Jackie’s photos) is wonderful – a real treat to start my morning. And, Nugget Junior is adorable too.
Very many thanks, Takami.
Nugget is such a good daddy! 🙂 So wonderful to meet Nugget Jr! I hope Nugget and his family continue to thrive! Thank you to you and Jackie for being a safe good haven for them! 🙂
I can imagine Mrs. Nugget saying, “Dear, could you please take at least one of the kids on an outing? I need a nap.” Ha! 😀
You and Jackie have captured some beautiful photos to share with us today! Thank you! 🙂 Good to see Madame Alfred Carriere cavorting carelessly! 😉
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
Nugget Junior looks like he’s doing very fine. What a pity you’ll be losing him when he comes of age!
Yes, it is a shame, Rosaliene. Thank you very much.
I hope Nugget Junior, having learned to forage from feeders, isn’t thrown into too cruel a world, where he must find his own worms and insects! I love the calendula. They normally don’t last here and then revive in the fall, but they are doing well in our cool weather.
Thanks very much, Lisa. Hopefully he’ll find another gardener.
It was nice to meet Junior. It’s good that he’s a little shy since not everyone is as robin friendly as you and Jackie. I had no idea robins could have so many offspring in a year! So much energy!
Thanks very much, JoAnna. We didn’t know that about robins either 🙂
Beautiful garden shots, Derrick. Nugget junior is very cute.. 😍
Thanks very much, Sylvia.
Very pleased to make your acquaintance, Nugget Junior!
🙂 Thanks very much, Liz.
You’re welcome, Derrick!
Marvelous montage as usual, Derrick. Seeing the little one is a treat, and I knew for sure what awaited me in opening your post thanks to the title.
🙂 Thanks very much, Maj.
Those morning shots are pleasant and fresh. Both robins and flowers are proliferating in your garden, donning and shedding jerseys gifted by Nature in turn. Thanks for introducing Junior.
Wonderful comments, Uma. Thank you very much.
Watching the relationships between parent birds and their offspring is so interesting, and often touching. In my old place, there was no question that the same pair of bluejays brought their babies every year, to teach them where the peanuts could be found. Of course, eventually it might have been the ‘babies’ bringing their own offspring. Anyone who thinks birds don’t have memories hasn’t been around many birds.
We are certainly learning a lot, Linda. Thank you very much.
I enjoyed all the photos from your day, especially Nugget and son! He is attempting to teach his boy the fine art of backyard bird feeder dining.
🙂 Thank you very much for these comments, Lavinia.
The junior nugget! Love your pictures always
Thanks very much, Muntazir.
Beautiful photos Derrick, it’s lovely to see English flowers in an English garden, I miss ours in England. It will take time for us to develop our large garden space, I hope ours becomes as spectacular as yours.
I look forward to it, Sue. Thanks very much
So cute Junior 🐦 If his dad will chase him maybe he will choose the same garden though 🌸 is too beautiful 😉
Actually he could settle in another part of the garden. I hadn’t thought of that. Thanks very much, Ribana.
Nugget Jr. Cool! I wonder when dad is going to kick him out.
Judging by Nugget’s arrival here last July we imagine he’ll have another month. Thanks very much, Sherry.
How sweet to have both father and son fluttering around! And you have SO MANY ROSES! I bet the perfume in your garden is magnificent!
They mostly are scented, Anna. Thanks very much.
Wonderful!
The rose bushes look strong and healthy. Great pictures my friend.
Thank you very much, Bridget
What a treat to see Nugget jnr. I have only recently understood why I have never seen a baby robin before – the lack of the chest colour threw me off the scent!
It would have done me, too, Susan. Thanks very much.
Beautiful, Derrick! Oh hello Nugget Junior, you little cutie! 🙂
Thanks very much, Julie
Great pictures!
Thanks very much, Piedmont
Good grief! Mrs Nugget must so look forward to Autumn! 🙂
🙂 From us both. Thanks a lot, Widders.
But let’s hope junior doesn’t find a garden with a cat. (I do not like cats)
Agreed, John. The nearest possible garden – at the far end – does have cats.
Gosh those little guys breed fast. We feed Aussie Magpies and their teenage stage seems to go on forever with a lot of whining to match.
Unfortunately magpies are also taking an interest. Thanks very much, Lindsey.
Thanks so much for sending this link, Derrick. Such a great post, both florally and faunally (??? no such word, but there should be.) Nugget Jr. looks as big as his dad. Hard to tell when not side-by-side. I take it Mama is busy sitting on the next generation? I’ve been loving looking out at my garden all day from my studio because the house was full of Jesus and Eduardo fixing cracks and silitre and painting, Pasiano and son doing yard work, and Yolanda cleaning. (Yolanda insists on coming once a week even though I’ve been paying her to stay at home.) Yesterday she came to help Pasiano pull brush away from the wall so men can come clear it away. I did not ask either of them to do this..they are so dedicated, as I am to them. I made them a picnic lunch today and of course paid extra. Although I am horrified at the cause of it, I have loved just staying home. I’ve been doing lots of yard work and observing the life of my yard. Damn. Just missed a great photo of a finch sitting on my Mayan Calendar stone..Just want to have a camera in my hand all day long. So glad I had a huge picture window installed covering the entire wall in front of my work bench. My studio and open-walled gazebo with hammock make great observation spots.
Thank you very much reading and for this description of your activity, Judy. It looks as if you have the kind of relationship we have with Aaron. He injured himself while fixing a door for us a couple of weeks ago. He couldn’t continue to work and had to go to hospital. I insisted on paying him for the morning. He insisted on coming back it the week to remove a lot of debris. We have noticed that all the fledgling birds, including the robins, are as big as their parents.
How lovely to see the baby robin! Your garden is absolutely full of summer flowers!
Thank you very much, Clare.
How sad fpr Nugget junior if he is chased away from your garden. He will never find such a beautiful garden and welcoming hosts as with you two,
Thank you so much, Geetha. Given that robins’ boundaries don’t follow ours, he may find another corner for himself 🙂
Well I hope he does not lose your garden.
🙂