Today the wind had dropped to “a fresh breeze” with sunny spells. We each enjoyed several sessions of gardening. Mine concentrated on dead-heading and clearing to compost.
Naturally I carried my camera, photographing the reds and pinks of petunias, pelargoniums, hollyhocks; and roses Compassion, Open Arms, and that we call peach beside the patio. The clematises on the kitchen wall swayed in the breeze.
This morning I watched a bee take off from a poppy ready to land on a fresh head cleared for landing.
It was the turn of Nugget Junior II to attract my lens after lunch. Note he or she still has the yellow gape acting as a target for avian feeding parents and has no sign of the red jersey to come if the infant lives long enough.
Junior’s back was turned when I photographed “Where’s Nugget Junior II”.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s succulent shepherd’s pie; robust red ratatouille; roast parsnips; tender runner beans; crunchy carrots, and tasty gravy, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank Domaine La Couquihado 2018 – a smooth dry Cotes du Rhone.
Lovely colours from your garden.
Thank you very much, Rupali
Beautiful flower shots, and it was nice to see Nugget, Jr. The bee photos are beautiful, particularly the second one. The swirling white is ethereal.
I’m so pleased you liked the swirling white, Merril. Thank you very much.
Nugget Junior II is already making his or her mark in the Where’s Nugget series! ☺️
Thanks. very much, Sandra.
The bees will become obese in your garden 🙂
🙂 Thanks very m much, Bridget.
Thbee witthe pope is fabulous. Hi Nugget Jr.
Thanks very much, Sherry. Well spotted. I’m sure you can appreciate how chuffed I was with the bee.
Pardon spelling. I used my phone and didn’t proof. Pope instead of poppy, etc.
No problem – I could work it out 🙂
Nugget jnr is showing signs of becoming as comfortable as his dad – I know I’ve missed a lot, but this is special to see. Here’s to he/she living long enough to get the red jersey!
Thanks very much, Pauline X
Nugget Junior II has not learned to pose yet, or perhaps he is too shy, but he is clearly visible a little below the center.
I do not know which roses are which, but I thank you for all the rose photos, Derrick.
P.S. What is red ratatouille?
Thanks very much, Dolly. Coloured by the tomatoes and peppers – that is all. Well spotted. The individual titles are all in the galleries.
I’ve learned something new: I always make ratatouille with tomatoes and peppers (it’s the Odessa recipe), but I have never heard it called “red.” Thank you.
Neither have I 🙂
Love the hollyhocks: we had them on one side of the barn when I was growing up. Also Nugget Jr II has a lot of nerve, turning his back on you! We know how the youngsters are, don’t we? 😉
🙂 We do. Thanks very much, Maj.
Beautiful shots Derrick ! I love the bumblebee photos.
Thanks very much, Jill. So hard to catch them – I was very pleased, and glad you liked them.
Wonderful Shots! I love the Hollyhocks ! They are gorgeous.
Thanks very much, Dwight.
Gorgeous capture of the bee
Thanks very much, Sheree. I couldn’t have hoped for that – so I’m pleased you liked it.
I wonder if Nugget jnr knows he is supposed to be growing a red breast. It will be interesting to see just how the change happens.
Yes, indeed, Susan. Thanks very much.
OH! It’s so good to see Nugget, Jr! 🙂 I’m so glad he is doing well today! I hope he lives a long healthy life! 🙂
Your bee in motions photos are bee-utiful and fabulous! 🙂
All of the flowers are gorgeous and smile-bringing! I especially enjoy the climbing plants and flowers! 🙂 They don’t just stand there and look pretty….Ha…T
Thanks very much, Carolyn x
Oops…
They do some work! 😀
(((HUGS))) 🙂
🙂
Nugget Junior is so very cute…. there’s a smile on my dial, as I see the dawn sky through my window..
Yes, the delights and joys of those reds and pinks – so beautifully captured.
Thank you very much, Roland.
Fantastic Photos Derrick loved the roses and the bee.. And young nugget looks to be thriving well.. The rain this evening will do our gardens good.. <3 🙂 Take care.. and love to you both
And to you both, Sue. Thank you very much.
🤗💚
Very nice flying bee shots.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal. I hoped you would like them.
re bee photo: Clever. Yes, I think carrying a camera in the garden is a smart thing.
I can almost taste that shepherd’s pie.
Beautiful post as usual.
Thank you very much, Chrissy. My camera is a bit heavy round the neck and gets in the way, but Its worth it.
It is worth it.
Ah, so glad the little Nugget is still around. I was able to find him even with his back to the camera. LOVE the bee photos! They are so clear and at the same time artsy. Great shots!
Thank you so much, Jodie. I was very pleased with them – the focussing is so precise I usually miss it. Well spotted.
: )
I wondered about the double meaning of ‘deadheading,’ and went to look it up. I found this interesting summation, and was particularly intrigued to find that ‘deadheading’ as a term for a horticultural practice didn’t arrive until about 1950. It’s a great reminder that language always is changing.
Well I never – knew that, Linda. Thanks very much.
Oh those birds are lovely
The garden is looking beautiful,
Delicious meal
Thank you so much, More
You’re very welcome
It’s so nice to meet Nugget Jr II. (Hope he doesn’t meet fate of Richard II). In the instant Quiz, he is roughly at the centre of the frame, a tad off-centre towards the bottom of the frame.
Thanks very much, Uma. Well spotted.
your garden is beautiful! 🙂
Thank you very much, Lola
Everything is beautiful, Derrick and Jackie! Little Nugget Jr. is adorable, and I hope he or she thrives. I was very sad to lose the last little Nugget Jr.
Thank you very much, Lavinia. We hope so, too, and were also sad.
The bee and poppy photos make me feel like I’m peeking into another world. Yet, it’s in your very own garden! So much talent at your place with the photos, gardening, and cooking!
Thank you so much, JoAnna.
Beautiful flowers.
Thanks very much, Mrs W.
Your welcome
These pictures always awe me
Thank you so much, Muntazir
Your bee photos are wonderful! I love the composition and shape of the poppies, the colors, that out-of-focus blur behind them, and, of course, the bee.
Thank you so much, Nicki. Certainly happy results
I like the bee. He looks as if he is ready for a game of rugby.
🙂 Thanks very much, John.
You’ve captured the bee perfectly!
Little Nugget Junior II is blending perfectly 🐦
Thank you very much, Ribana. I was pleased with those. Well spotted.
Dinner sounds delicious. I think that maybe you should share some recipes with the rest of us!
Jackie doesn’t use recipes, but she does respond to specific requests by explaining methods. For what it is worth, when I did the cooking (when J was still working) I used Delia Smith’s one for shepherd’s pie which has chopped leeks with the mash. Thanks a lot, Andrew.
Lovely photos as always, but I have to ask did you change camera, using a new template, as your photos look even more vibrant, and I really love the header on this post. 🙂
Thanks very much, msw. No camera change. This seems to be a consequence of the new editor. The header was one of those rare occasions when the precise focusing of such subjects works well.
well done 🙂
🙂
Your flowers are as beautiful as ever, and another Nugget juvenile, how lovely.
Thanks very much, Sue
Derrick, I hope you know how much your posts brighten my day. I love the bee and poppy photo. AND, of course, Nugget Junior II.
Thank you so much, Cheryl. I am very pleased
Lovely Derrick!
Thanks very much, Julie
Fantastic series of pictures. At first I thought the bee and the poppies were my favorites. But that the last one of Nugget Jr. has such a dreamy, magical look.
Thank you so much Laurie. Competing favourites I like 🙂
Great photos Derrick! This is such a special time 💕
Thanks very much, Val.
It’s good to meet Nugget, Junior II. Hopefully, he will make it to maturity. The bee and poppy photos are striking, quite unusual.
Thank you very much, Liz. The bee and poppy photos are rare examples of getting the focussing right 🙂
Wow stunning photo of the bee and poppy!!
Thanks very much, Lynn. I was pleased to get the focus right