Greetings

 

Many many thanks for all your kind comments on my last post, and a very Happy New Year to everyone. I especially wish you and your families lots of good health, love and good fortune in 2014. I have missed you all, but hope to renew blogging some time in January. This is the only photo I have taken since the 1st of November, and it’s a view I see every day from my lounge window.

Blog Break

Just to let you know that due to unforseen circumstances I will be taking a break from blogging for a while. See you all as soon as I can.

Pintas

 

 

 

Pintas was found on the farm, undernourished and dirty.He was a young stray,very suspicious of people, a free spirit, but cold and hungry.He slept in between hay bales near the cow shed. Every evening we fed him,and during the day he disappeared, only to reappear at dinner time,when he ate, and then kipped down in the hay.After a while we began to see more of him roaming around on the farm, and he had the habit of sitting on a high wall watching as the cows were herded into the fields.One day he decided to join in, and he's been herding the cows ever since. He runs like the wind, jumps as though he has springs under his feet,and loves to chase cars!! It was a day of celebration when he let us stroke him for the first time.:) He's been with us for six years now, and is such a good dog, and Mel's best friend.

The Portrait of a Lady

The Painted Lady   Vanessa cardui   (Nymphalidae)



 

 

 

 

 

 

The Painted lady is found in grassy places where flowers are in bloom. When feeding néctar from flowers such as the Lantana, the Painted Lady is usually oblivious to the approach of na observer. It's wing span is 6cm, and flight period from March-November or further north, April-October.

The Crab Spider

The Crab Spider
 

Misumena vatia
 

The white crab spider is the most common of the crab spiders, and the yellow, the less common. They are mainly slow-moving, squat-bodied spiders, which bear a striking resemblance to crabs.While lying in wait on a flower, the two pairs of long front legs, strongly armed with bristles on their inner edges, are held out in anticipation, ready to fold inwards in a pincer movement on insects which approach too closely, and then the spiders fangs go for the neck. The spiders powerful nerve poison quickly paralysis the victom. The Misumena vatia seems adept at subduing stinging insects such as hive bees, bumblebees, and the meadow brown and marbled white butterflies are frequently caught by the Misumena. 

Squirrel Selection

I just want to cuddle this squirrel.

 

An add for shampoo perhaps! 
 

Chubby Chops.
 

I think there is something feline looking about this squirrel.
 

This squirrel was looking right at me.

 

Cheeky fellow joined me for breakfast.
 

Cute bear cub look-alike.
 

 

They really are quite different in appearance from one another, and it makes it even more enjoyable to watch them. 

Autumn Colours

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jays

The Jay  
 Garrulus glandarius

 

 

 

 

In the woods where we live there have been far more Jays than usual this year, so I have taken many photos to share.

The Beauty And The Beast

The Holly Blue   Celastrina argiolus

 

The Robber-fly
 

 

The Robber-fly is a bristly predatory fly which chase and capture insects in mid-air. It would have no problem catching the small species of butterfly such as this small Holly-Blue.Most species sit and wait, and then dart out when likely prey apears. The prey is then sucked dry with the stout probosis. A beard on the face protects eyes from struggling prey.

A Wheatear

Isabelline Wheatear   Oenanthe isabellina
 

 

 

 

 

 

The Isabelline Wheatear is the largest of the Oenanthe species. It has a long body, length 16.5cm, usually held noticably upright.

Meet Melanie ( MEL)

This is our little Teckle at 2 months old.
 

Mel at 3 months old
 

Mel at 2 years old
 

 

 

Mel at 3 years old today
 

So many of you have posted photos of your pets, so I thought that as today is Mels third bithday it was time to introduce her to you.Mel has brought so much joy into our lives, and we are crazy about our little sausage roll:)