Shine

Village Show

Late August is the time for Froggatt Show: a delightful way to spend a warm Saturday afternoon. There are stalls selling jam, cakes, jewellery, plants, candles in teacups… I could go on. There are horses and ponies, classic cars and tractors. And so many dogs, taking their owners for a pleasant afternoon stroll. But the main attraction for me is the show tent, where people enter their lovingly grown produce and carefully nurtured flowers in the hope of winning prizes.

To be honest, I felt a little conspicuous using my large camera in front of so many people. Would anyone object to their prize cabbage being captured for posterity? So I used my phone. The interior of the white marquee made the flash fire, of course, but I think the results look interesting in a way.

So carefully arranged… I wish I could grow vegetables like this!

The dahlias really caught my eye.

Closer…

Drama! (Complete with tiny spider.)

Bold.

Paler.

Painted?

 

Sweet pea sparkle!

And some more!

Recommended for a traditional English day out!

Pond Report

There’s a very new, very small pond in our garden. Raw at first, it filled gradually with rainwater. Then, before we had even decided what to do with it, nature began to move in. First, there was a huge yellow frog, which didn’t stay long.

Then a beetle.

We bought some plants to improve the pond’s appearance, but also for oxygenation purposes.

Great excitement ensued when we found that two frogs had taken up residence; their activities are monitored with immense enthusiasm. That shivery feeling when they emerge in the dusk to go hunting! Laughter as they plop back in. Of course, we also hope they will keep the slug population under control…

 

Yellows

A lot of yellow in the local park at the moment. Here are some of the different moods:

Bee surprised!

Sunshine

Muted

Peacock on Pink

Seen a couple of days ago at Arbor Low, Derbyshire. One of the most beautiful butterflies, I think. I’ve only seen a few this year, sadly.

Small Tortoiseshell

A small tortoiseshell seen at Gib Hill (ancient burial mound) yesterday. Beautiful, glowing colours.

Ringlet

I’ve realised with a shock how long it is since I last wrote anything on here. So I’m planning to make amends, and dip my toes back in the water, by posting pictures of some of the wildlife I’ve seen this summer. Starting with a ringlet butterfly. I’d never seen one before, although I don’t think they are uncommon, so I was very excited!