VARID NATURE SHOTS

It has suddenly gone cold nessessitating extra bedding and clothing. It warms up to 14 degrees in the afternoons but is only 4 early morning. It takes a bit of getting used to after the horific heat of summer but it's very welcome. I much prefer a cooler atmosphere but it still hasn't rained. It did rain 16 weeks ago, but not enough to penetrate the dry soil.Even so nature has a way of renewing what was thought to be dead.Last year some chestnut trees were heavily pruned, in fact the tops were sawn off leaving only the dry dead wood.

This old dry tree sprouted a new heathy branch and subsequently leaves which seem to be flourishing. Eva took these photos for me with her phone on her way home.

It's not so easy to see because of other trees nearby but the heathy and vigarous branch growing from the top part of the sawn off tree trunk was a great surprise. These trees are at least 200 years old, but some live to be 500 years old or even longer.

Back at the balcony Coal Tits come in dozens to the feeders.

Here the Coal Tit is sharing the feeder with a Crested Tit. Unfortunately when I looked at their photos they were facing the other way, but the Crested Tit's crest is so errect and the head markings so beautiful that I decided to share it anyway. 

 

The Great Tit

Early morning shot of a youg Crested Tit.

The European Jay

I know it should all be in focus but the blue of the wings is so captivating that I just had to share it.

The Brimstone Butterfly

I will be linking uo to "Saturday's Critters". If you would like to check it out just click on the icon on my side bar and it will take you there where you will see wonderful nature shots of all creatures both great and small.