Sic Transit . . .
I've really enjoyed our yarden this year.
During Lockdown I've had the time to sit out during warm spells and really get to know the wildlife. I've also tried to grow as much as possible out there this year - French Beans, a Runner Bean (the only seed that germinated), courgettes, Patty Pan Squash, red-flowered Strawberries, along with the usual herbs and shade-tolerant/-loving flowers.
I've also gotten aquainted with the 'resident' wildlife - mostly of the insect variety. The molluscoid variety, being ravenous, have mostly made the aquaintance of the sole of whatever footwear I've been wearing when we've met!
What I have enjoyed is watching the variety of Hoverflies and 'our' Bumblebees as they patrol our flowers. Then today I sat out in the yard for the first time in a while, watching.
Sat out in the yarden for elevenses, enjoying the flowers,
wondering why, after five months of daily anti-mollusc patrols,
the bean leaves more resemble lacework as days pass.
Noted a large, black and white striped hoverfly,
a black wasp, honest, wasp-waisted.
Only some are yellow-and-black-striped alarming!
A Hummingbird Hawk-Moth sipping from the honeysuckle flowers.
Having a long tongue, partaking 'properly' from front of flowers,
rather than, short-tongued,
chomping through base of corolla tube in bee-line to nectaries.
But no so-impatient Bumblebees*.
We've had three regulars this summer**.
I'd grown fond of them busying themselves among our blossoms.
Visited Nurseries and Garden Centres to consult with other Bumblebees,
as to their recommendations for 'ours' :-
Veronica spicata, Verbena 'Bampton, Nepeta,
Foxgloves - purple and white;
A white-flowered bush highly favoured,
alas final size too big for our limited space.
Wondering as to their whereabouts I looked down.
Found a small one, the male. Dead.
Since seen a Common Carder Bee occasionally.
But I've not seen another Bumblebee. I've looked.
Listened carefully for deep-toned thrumming.
Hoping the Queen is holed-up safely awating next year.
*Never did get to decide whether they were Buff-tailed or White-tailed Bumblebees. I was too upset to think of studying the dead one!
**One memorable Saturday we even had four Bumblebees and a Honey Bee, plus Chalk Hill Blue and Red Admiral Butterflies.
During Lockdown I've had the time to sit out during warm spells and really get to know the wildlife. I've also tried to grow as much as possible out there this year - French Beans, a Runner Bean (the only seed that germinated), courgettes, Patty Pan Squash, red-flowered Strawberries, along with the usual herbs and shade-tolerant/-loving flowers.
I've also gotten aquainted with the 'resident' wildlife - mostly of the insect variety. The molluscoid variety, being ravenous, have mostly made the aquaintance of the sole of whatever footwear I've been wearing when we've met!
What I have enjoyed is watching the variety of Hoverflies and 'our' Bumblebees as they patrol our flowers. Then today I sat out in the yard for the first time in a while, watching.
Sat out in the yarden for elevenses, enjoying the flowers,
wondering why, after five months of daily anti-mollusc patrols,
the bean leaves more resemble lacework as days pass.
Noted a large, black and white striped hoverfly,
a black wasp, honest, wasp-waisted.
Only some are yellow-and-black-striped alarming!
A Hummingbird Hawk-Moth sipping from the honeysuckle flowers.
Having a long tongue, partaking 'properly' from front of flowers,
rather than, short-tongued,
chomping through base of corolla tube in bee-line to nectaries.
But no so-impatient Bumblebees*.
We've had three regulars this summer**.
I'd grown fond of them busying themselves among our blossoms.
Visited Nurseries and Garden Centres to consult with other Bumblebees,
as to their recommendations for 'ours' :-
Veronica spicata, Verbena 'Bampton, Nepeta,
Foxgloves - purple and white;
A white-flowered bush highly favoured,
alas final size too big for our limited space.
Wondering as to their whereabouts I looked down.
Found a small one, the male. Dead.
Since seen a Common Carder Bee occasionally.
But I've not seen another Bumblebee. I've looked.
Listened carefully for deep-toned thrumming.
Hoping the Queen is holed-up safely awating next year.
*Never did get to decide whether they were Buff-tailed or White-tailed Bumblebees. I was too upset to think of studying the dead one!
**One memorable Saturday we even had four Bumblebees and a Honey Bee, plus Chalk Hill Blue and Red Admiral Butterflies.