Of course it was too cold to work in the garden but I did tidy up the potting area in the garage so everything is ready for the beginning of the gardening season. I have also ordered my vegetable seeds so am feeling on top of things garden wise. This feeling never lasts once the season starts but I am savouring it for now.

Potting area

Later on, as the sun was shining, we went for a walk. We have some small lakes nearby that attract a great many birds.

Winter walk

Winter walk

The birds all appeared to be sprucing themselves up reading for the mating season. The birds in the far distance were actually standing on ice as part of the lake was frozen.

Canada Geese

Looking good! Canada Geese and two Swans

Looking at the birds in the freezing water I was glad I was wearing warm boots.

Here is a metal sculpture which stands in the centre of a grass lawn. It is in the garden of a manor house which I visited last year.

Sculpture at Chenies Manor

Every year the glass house at Wisley garden has a Butterfly event where butterflies are allowed to fly amongst the Tropical plants growing there. It is an amazing sight and a chance to see these beautiful butterflies up close. I took a picture of this one as it rested in the centre of a plate of fruit.

Owl Butterfly

The wildlife in my garden is less exotic. At present he centre of my bird table is always occupied by Pigeons….Pigeons….Pigeons. All the food disappears in an instant.

Pigeons on the bird table

Visit Katarina at Roses and Stuff to see more Blooming Friday contributions.

Cloches in the vegetable garden

Slow worms (Anguis fragilis) in the compost heap

Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan'

Georgie & Halki watching squirrels in the garden

Visit Katarina at Roses and Stuff to see more Blooming Friday contributions.

Bumblebee on Dahlia 'After Eight'

Bee on Dahlia 'Smarty'

Hoverfly on Sisyrinchium palmifolium

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Mr White: What do you want me and the boys to do boss?

Mr White, leader of the boys

Mr Squirrel: Give me a shout if you see the gardener approaching. I want to grab as many of these peanuts as I can.

Mr Squirrel with two of his gang

Ten minutes later.

Pigeons: Boss! Hey boss….I hear screaming…..I think the gardener is here. She looks mad (and ever so slightly crazy)

Mr Squirrel: Time for one last peanut before I go.

The Boss snatches a final peanut and the Boys fly away

Off to the woods, until next time

Easygardener: Aaaaarrrrgggghhhhhh!!!!!!

Bee on a flower

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Malachite (Siproeta stelenes)

Tree Nymph (Idea leuconoe)

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Wildlife Tower (Chelsea Flower Show)

Allium seed head (Artdejardin sculpture garden)

Hungry Crocodile (Flaxbourne Farm)

The Illuminator by Tach Pollard (Pashley Manor)

Monkey Puzzle Tree (Araucaria auracana) at Plant World

For more Blooming Friday posts visit Katarina at Roses and Stuff.

Have a good weekend.

Blue Tit bird box

Look at the well constructed nest. It is  made using  moss, grass and  the natural wool the birds get from a wool ball I hang nearby .

The nest

The nest

Inside the nest

The family left the nest in early July so in November I cleared it out ready for new tenants in 2011.

Blue Tit

Yesterday I saw a pair of Blue Tits checking it out so we should soon have new tenants. Spring has definitely arrived.

[Blue Tit photograph courtesy of Brentnall / FreeDigitalPhotos.net]

Pattern is not a word I usually use when talking about a flower but this Fritillaria is an exception.

Fritillaria meleagris

I think it looks very beautiful and the distinctive chequered pattern is part of its charm.

Fritillaria meleagris

Then we have the stripes of a  rainbow in the sky.

Rainbow

The patterns on a Butterfly’s wings.

Red Admiral butterfly

And finally the pattern of my footprints in the snow.

Footprints in the snow

For more Blooming Friday posts visit Katarina at Roses and Stuff.

Have a good weekend.