Algarve Bee Eaters, Berries, Butterflies, Pathways and Poppies.

This week has raced by, and it's time for anther Wild Bird Wednesday. I can hardly believe it's already mid week, as we have been busy on the farm with the orange and fig harvest. Thankfully I still have loads of shares from our hols on the Algarve, so I hastily put together a few pictures of some things I noticed on our walks in the country during our time there. I hope you enjoy.

The fields and hedgerows were ablaze with red poppies,...
 

but there were many wild flowers in the mix.
 

Poppies on one side of the path, and....
 

on the sandy banks of the other side, a Bee-eater's nesting site .
 

Here is one just outside the tunnel leading to his nest.
 

These brightly coloured berries grew everywhere in the hedgerows ,. It is the Mediterranean smilax, ( s. áspera) in fruit.
It's berries are unpalatable for human consumption, but they are a great source of nourishment for birds.

Many had what seemed like spider's webs tightly wound around some of the clusters.
 

The European Bee-eater can often be seen perched on fences and cable wires.
 

This one caught a bee in mid air. The Bee-eater can eat around 250 bees a day, it's main source of food, but they also eat dragonflies, and other insects.
 

Their bright colours are not evident in these flight shots, but they were very far away.
 

Back in the hedgerow, there was plenty to see.
 

The underwings of the Marbled White.
 

The Marsh Fritillary.
 

The Small White.
 

Some more berries without the webs.
 

You can clearly see the two elongated central tail feathers in this shot. Sexes are alike, but the female tends to have more green rather than gold on shoulders.
 

WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY
GOOD FENCES
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
I'D-RATHER-B-BIRDIN

Bee, Bug, Butterflies, Berries, Bird, Frog, Fence, and Flowers.

 Sharing some of the photos taken in the garden and farm last week.

Morning Glory
 

A micro moth  "I would have passed it by, had I not seen it fly".
 

A  Bumble bee  ( Bombus Cascuorum )
 

A cute little bug, but I don't know the name, nor can I remember the name of the flower.
 

The Provençal Fritillary sunbathing on a clothes peg
 

 The Carpenter Bee   Xylocopa  violácea  on Beauty bush.
 

A  Marsh Frog  sunbathing near our water tank ...
 

and his friend.
 

Morning Glory in the fields.
 

The Crested Tit
 

A dragonfly with a black beetle snack. It's not one I know!
 

The Bath White butterfly
 

Blackberries on a fence
 

The Brimstone butterfly
 

The Agapanthus beginning to reveal it's full beauty.
 

Prickly Chestnut cases.
 

The "Judas Tree" seed pods.
 

The Hydrangea
 

My thanks to Stewart, Theresa, Eileen, Anni, and Denise, for hosting their memes. Join in the fun if you have any photos to share, or just take a look by clicking on their links. br /> WILD BIRD WEDNESDAYS
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
I'D RATHER B BIRDIN
GOOD FENCES
TODAY'S FLOWERS

At last a Butterfly, and a Gate for Good Fences.

The Comma Nymphalis c-album (Nymphalidae)
 

The sombre underwings are marked with a white comma.like shape.
 

It's one of the most distinctive European butterflies because of the colour and shape of it's wings.
 

It's ragged margins are easily recognizable even in silhouette.  Here are a few of last summers sightings.
 

Flight period is from March -September, in two broods.
 

It is widespread and common, and I love to see it in my garden.
 

Last but not least a gate for Thereas meme Good Fences, with these lovely Trumpet flowers.
 

GOOD FENCES

Photogenic Peacock.

The Peacock butterfly  Nymphalis io (Nymphalidae)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fast flying Peacock butterfly flies from June -September. It perches with wings wide open or closed. They are particularly fond of my Statice flowers (Limonium Smuatum Statice) sometimes referred to as Sea Lavender. It's a great alternative or addition to the Buddleias which attract most butterflies. The Staice flower is commonly used in dried flower arrangements, as well as fresh bouquets, and when properly dried they retain their vibrant colours. You can grow them in a variety of colours, then just enjoy the spectacale as the butterflies appear. I prefer the purples and lilacs, but they are all very pretty. 
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS