Caldecote Old Rectory Spring Garden

 An absolute delight to photograph some of the flowers in the old Rectory garden adjacent to the Church with its mix of wild, naturalised and planted species all looking wonderful in the sunlight this morning. The footpath from Caledecote to Toft runs through this meadow but I am delighted that as usual the owners are opening the whole garden in aid of the Church on the 17th and 18th May 2025 with teas etc. Put that date in the diary - by then the herbaceous borders etc will also be in bloom.

Garden Project April 2025

 With the last 2 weeks' warm and sunny weather, the garden has suddenly come to life. Thanks to all the hard work done by friends from Paxton Pits Volunteers over the last 3 weeks, I am able to enjoy the flowers and insects. 

Attempts at Capturing Hoverfly Flight

A couple of very 'friendly' Eristalis pertinax hoverflies in the garden today, hovering right in front of me looking me straight in the eye so thought I would try photographing them. These are taken 1/8000th sec F6.3 giving ISO 5000 using manual focus. 

More Species Emerging in the Garden

Lots of activity in the garden today - with less breeze and warm temperatures lots of species were on the move including a couple of new species for the garden - the Europaean Paper Wasp and Pied Shieldbug plus, possibly, the Speckled Wood. Have found over a dozen Scarlet Tiger caterpillars - they are devouring the Comfrey at quite a rate.

Bees on the Japonica

The Japonica on our fence attracted a lot of bees (here the Common Carder plus Early Bumblebee (last shot)) early this morning in the warm sun. Flight shots were 1/1600 at F10 - obviously need faster to stop the wing movement but I like the movement in the wings.

More Species in the Garden

 A very humid and warm day - fewer insects than I expected but great to see the first Dark Bush Cricket babies as well as a Tortoise Beetle etc