Friday 4 March 2016

Garden Flowers and Critters.



It's a long time since I shared a few flowers from the garden, and Camelias are looking pretty just now.


The early Daffodils didn't last long, but I enjoyed their cheerful yellow blooms whilst they lasted.



Another Camelia, .. I  love them, and the garden soil is acidic so they do really well, as do the Azaleas.



This delicate pink Camelia is not in bloom at this time of year, but I wanted to share it with you today.



One last Camelia,

 
This Mole Cricket found in our pool, was recued by hubby, and immediately started to burrow underground. They make extensive tunnel systems that may reach a depth of over a metre
 
The European Mole Cricket,  Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa, the scientific name derives from the latin, "gryllus" meaning cricket, and "talpa" mole, because of it's similarity to the mole both in looks and subterranean habits. It's body is brown, and covered in fine velvity hairs, and the forelegs are modified for digging.
 

We were going down towards our main gate, when we saw this pretty duck sitting by one of our water tanks
 


If you would like to see more critters or birds, click on the links below. My thanks to Stewart, Eileen, and Anni for hosting these wonderful memes. WILD BIRD WEDNESDAYS
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
I'D RATHER B BIRDIN

37 comments:

Christine said...

The flowers are blooming nicely in your garden! Our camellias usually go brown quickly because of the frosts.
I was really intrigued by the mole grasshopper as I never knew of them before!
That was a really great photo of the visitor at your gate! He looked you fair & square in the eye!
Have a fun weekend!

Michelle said...

Those flowers are beautiful.

hmuxo said...

Beautiful flowers !!!!! Spring is almost here!!!! 😀 I loved your last post with all those unusual shaped trees!

matti niilola said...

Hello. Beautiful flowers. Amazingly looking creature that Mole cricket. Greetings.

Ohmydearests said...

gorgeous blooms! love the 3rd + 4th ones especially! the cricket is very interesting too! have a beautiful weekend!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

your flowers look lovely but I would not want Mr Mole Cricket in the pool! Have a wonderful weekend.

Teresa said...

Muy lindas las camelias. Buen día.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, your flowers are all beautiful. The mole cricket looks big. Sorry, it ended up in your pool. The duck is cute! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!

Irma said...

Beautiful series of images of flowers and animals.
All captured perfectly, my favorite is picture number one.
Best regards, Irma

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Mole Cricket is new to me. Have to research this a little!

Rajesh said...

Very beautiful and pretty flowers.

Ela said...

Oh, I love these beautiful flowers !!!
I don't want to see such a worm in my garden...!
Greetings

Bob Bushell said...

Excellent images, I love the insect!

A Colorful World said...

Oh, Camellias are one of my favorites! Yours are beautiful! A very interesting mole cricket...I'd never heard of them before. And a cute duck visitor.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh your Spring flowers are making beautiful memories for me. Those flowers don't bloom in this part of Florida (too hot I guess) but we used to grow camellias and daffodils when we had our home in Oregon. (In our other life, before we retired to travel). Your pictures are just beautiful.

Anni said...

Is that a Muschovy Duck? [I'm not sure I spelled that correctly]

The cricket is phenomenal!! And the flowers, I LOVED the light, soft, pink one the best. And the daffodil. Spring has arrived in your garden...and it's beautiful.

Thanks for sharing this weekend, at I'd Rather B Birdin'. All of us, the birders within us, appreciate you taking time to add your link!!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What clear beautiful photos of the flowers! Enjoy your weekend! Hugs, Diane

Inspired By June said...

What an interesting insect! Beautiful captures!

Len said...

Our camelia is coming out too despite the snow!

Debbie said...

What a nice treat to see all those beautiful blooms this morning!! And that spunky looking duck, gorgeous light in that imagè!!

Unknown said...

I love the camelias, they're all gorgeous! We only have them in greenhouses.

DeniseinVA said...

Loved the photos, feels good to see those pretty flowers and the interesting cricket and pretty duck. I'd like to invite you to share your flowers with Today's Flowers. The addy is:

http://anenglishgirlrambles2016.blogspot.com/2016/03/todays-flowers-389-march-4th-2016.html

No pressure, lol :) Just a thought.

Lee Ann L. said...

That mole cricket looks fascinating!

Joyful said...

Beautiful! I read the story about how you came to enjoy photography. It's wonderful that photography became something so important to you after initially loving other artistic endeavours. Nice surprises are always around the corner.

DeniseinVA said...

I came back to thank you for linking to Today's Flowers. That was so sweet of you and I appreciated it tremendously :)

Debbie said...

the blooms are so beautiful, i especially enjoyed the peachy camellia. the daffodil is pretty one, i like the 2 tone ones, as you've shown, with the bigger cups!!! i can't wait to see mine!!!

Russell Jenkins said...

Truly beautiful close-up shots and that is quite a handsome duck.

NatureFootstep said...

hard to say what end is what on the cricket :) Cool images :)

Stewart M said...

That mole cricket is great - I have only ever seen one!

You hit the nail on the head with the 'kid at heart' - or some people would jus say immature!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Claudia said...

A wonderful gallery of spring images. Beautiful pictures!

Phil Slade said...

The Mole Cricket looks to be a very interesting insect. I love seeing the huge crickets in Menorca each year but I'm still note sure what they are but might be Aiolopus strepens or Egyptian Grasshopper?

Mike Attwood said...

Hi Sonjia, What can I say. I think it has all beed said.
Regards, Mike.

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Beautiful flowers, and very instructive closeups and description of the mole cricket. I have never seen one.

Helma said...

The flowers are I really, really nice.
Beautiful and bright colors, and that we need now spring will start :-) I also find it very interesting to see a Mole Cricket. I have not seen such a beast and I did not know of the existence.
I wish you a very happy evening.
Greetings, Helma

Haddock said...

That is information for me - about The European Mole Cricket,

Valerie said...

A delightful series of captures - thank you for sharing (and visiting)!

Stephanie said...

Beautiful flowers. Another bird I have never seen before, I like how the red is around the eye to the beak area.

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