Category: wild and gardens

Birds ‘n’ fish ‘n’ flowers ‘n’ trees

By robz, May 14, 2011 7:52 pm

There’s so much wildlife to see around Ilfracombe, North Devon.

At the moment the foxgloves are just coming into flower up Hillsborough . . .

Foxgloves in flower at Hillsborough, Ilfracombe, North Devon

While conkers are already forming on the horse chestnut trees near the swimming pool . . .

Horse chestnut trees in Ilfracombe, North Devon

While nearby a starling hopped around on the grass . . .

Starling in Ilfracombe, North Devon

Starling in Ilfracombe, North Devon

Over at Bicclescombe Park, a collection of goldfish and other fish have mysteriously appeared in the boating lake. From what I have been told they are not supposed to be there and may be someone’s unwanted fish from a pond . . .

Fish in Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe, North Devon

Beautiful bluebells in Ilfracombe

By robz, April 24, 2011 7:47 pm

The bluebells on the north and east sides of Hillsborough, Ilfracombe, North Devon are astounding at the moment.

Bluebells on Hillisborough, Ilfracombe, North Devon

To see them:

  • walk from the harbour round to Hillsborough
  • go via the car park by the swimming pool
  • climb the cliff steps from Hele Bay

Going for growth

By robz, April 20, 2011 8:47 am
After our first batch of runner bean seeds failed to germinate (we did use last year’s seeds), I bought new seeds and they are just now starting to raise their heads above the compost.
Runner bean seedling waking up
The way they lift their ‘heads’ suggests it is a great effort . . .
Runner bean seedling
The broad beans are also germinating as are marigolds.
The sunflower seedlings look a bit happier than they did several days ago . . .
Out in the garden itself, the comfrey is just about to burst into flower. The bees love these . . .
. . . and a small holly seedling, that really looked quite bare in the winter, is really putting on new growth . . .
It’s a marvellous watching everything emerge, stretch and grow in the garden.
Posted via email from robertz

After our first batch of runner bean seeds failed to germinate (we did use last year’s seeds), I bought new seeds and they are just now starting to raise their heads above the compost.

The way they lift their ‘heads’ suggests it is a great effort . . .

The broad beans are also germinating as are marigolds.
The sunflower seedlings look a bit happier than they did several days ago . . .
Sunflower seedling
Out in the garden itself, the comfrey is just about to burst into flower. The bees love these . . .
Comfrey flowers
. . . and a small holly seedling, that really looked quite bare in the winter, is really putting on new growth . . .
Holly seedling
It’s a marvellous watching everything emerge, stretch and grow in the garden.

12 ducklings born at Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe #ndevon

By robz, April 19, 2011 7:53 am

It’s been a glorious spring this year, but I don’t think anything provides as big a lift as the arrival of ducklings.

This morning, in Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe in North Devon, I heard ducks squabbling down in the East Wilder Brook as it passes under a small bridge. I looked over the fence and saw a mother duck and her fleet of ducklings. Unfortunately, there were three male ducks trying to mate with her, explaining the noise as she fought them off.

Ducklings at Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe, North Devon in April 2011

Some blurred photos, taken with zoom lens while hanging over a fence with two spaniels on leads . . .

Ducklings at Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe, North Devon in April 2011

One of the park-keepers said they were born on Sunday. I counted 12. Before I could take any more photos, they swam under the bridge.

Meanwhile, back on the duck pond, this pair were doing some serious courting and a bit more when they weren’t being interrupted by other jealous suitors . . .

Duck at Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe, North Devon in April 2011

Expect more ducklings!

Aphrodisiac qualities of blackcurrants

By robz, April 16, 2011 2:31 pm

Our blackcurrant bushes certainly seem to have set the ladybirds going . . .

Ladybirds on blackcurrant leaves in garden in Ilfracombe, North Devon

They’re at it everywhere . . .

Ladybirds on blackcurrant leaves in garden in Ilfracombe, North Devon

Fortunately, we don’t take a ‘not in my back yard’ approach . . .

Ladybirds on blackcurrant leaves in garden in Ilfracombe, North Devon

. . . as we hope it’ll work up their appetite for eating aphids.

Meanwhile, a bee decided to ignore these goings-on by drinking . . .

Bee drinking from apple blossom in garden in Ilfracombe, North Devon

. . . from the apple blossom . . .

Bee drinking from apple blossom in garden in Ilfracombe, North Devon

. . . while a robin landed on the fence looking very pleased with itself . . .

Robin with insect in garden in Ilfracombe, North Devon

He’d got a takeaway in his beak . . .

Robin with insect in garden in Ilfracombe, North Devon

It looked like an insect, but I couldn’t tell exactly . . .

Robin with insect in garden in Ilfracombe, North Devon

It was certainly eat, drink and be merry in our garden this lunchtime.

Ladybirds and bees busy on the blackcurrant bushes

By robz, April 10, 2011 1:31 pm

This morning I spotted quite a few ladybirds on our two blackcurrant bushes.

ladybird on blackcurrant bush 1

I hope they are feeding off any aphids and pests.

ladybird on blackcurrant bush 2

I can see why they love the blackcurrant bushes as the flowers are wonderfully delicate.

blackcurrant flowers 1

As well as the ladybirds, there were quite a few beed feeding off the flowers, although they would not keep still enough for me to get a photo so I just snapped the ladybirds.

ladybird on blackcurrant bush 3

I did catch this bee feeding on the heather flowers.

bee feeding on heather flowers 1

And just had to snap the bluebells all coming into flower.

Bluebells flowers

There’s so much going on in the garden at this time of year.

Posted via email from robertz

Apple blossom opens up this morning

By robz, April 8, 2011 10:27 am

In the garden, our two apple trees change daily . . .

Apple blossom in Ilfracombe, North Devon

This morning the apple blossom opened up . . .

Apple blossom in Ilfracombe, North Devon

I hope the number of flowers means we will get lots of fruit this year!

Apple blossom in Ilfracombe, North Devon

Bluebells and blossom in Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe #ndevon

By robz, April 8, 2011 10:12 am

I have to take my camera because there is something new every day.

This morning I saw bluebells flowering in Bicclescombe Park in Ilfracombe, North Devon . . .

Bluebells in Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe, North Devon

The magnolias are also blooming too in a variety of colours . . .

Magnolias in Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe, North Devon

Magnolias in Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe, North Devon

Magnolias in Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe, North Devon

Magnolias in Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe, North Devon

It’s a wonderful spring for blossom. All the trees are heavy with petals . . .

Blossom in Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe, North Devon

Blossom in Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe, North Devon

All we need now are lots of ducklings on the pond!

In the blink of an eye . . .

By robz, April 6, 2011 8:55 am

It’s that time of the year when you have to look now or you’ll miss something.
The blossom on apple trees . . .

Apple blossom in garden in Ilfracombe, North Devon

. . . and in the park . . .

Blossom in Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe, North Devon

The new shoots on a rather sorry-looking holly cutting . . .

Shoots on holly cutting in garden in Ilfracombe, North Devon

I could say I haven’t got time to stop for this, but what I would really be saying is I haven’t got time to live.

It’s the best time of year.

Sunflower 2011 nursery #twunflowercomp

By robz, April 6, 2011 8:33 am

The race is on . . .

Sunflowers seedlings

. . . and six seedlings have germinated in our shed nursery.

Sunflowers seedlings

Sunflowers are fun to grow and produce seed for birds or to eat.

Sunflowers seedlings

So join in the competition and see who can grow the tallest sunflower.

Follow on twitter at @twunflowercomp and on facebook.

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