Typical weather has returned to Mid Wales with cooler temperatures, wind, rain, sun and the occasional all-four-seasons-in-one-day kind of weather. Autumn is fast approaching, but the garden is nevertheless in full bloom. The ground is still dry and the water levels are still low though due to a summer of drought conditions.
I love watching the bees and the butterflies in the garden. The yellow flowers seem to be their favourite this year. I’ve also noticed the bees cuddling up in the petals of the dahlias at dusk and on early mornings, even in the rain.
The bees can get quite territorial about the dahlias. A butterfly will settle on a dahlia only for a bee or two to come along and buzz about it until it moves. The butterfly will then move to another flower only for the same thing to happen. I once saw one butterfly fight back and sit on top of the bee on the flower!
The hedgehogs are still visiting at night, and we have a new daytime visitor – an inquisitive, young black & white cat. He’s been visiting the garden for a week now.
I wonder what October will bring.
35 Comments
Eastside Cats Blog
Bees and butterflies, go to a neutral corner, and observe the Marquis of Queensberry rules!
Ha!
Beautiful images; thanks for sharing them.
Mike@bitaboutbritain
Really lovely photos, Nikki. I can see I need to watch bees and butterflies more carefully. The idea of something as delicate as a butterfly taking on a seemingly robust bee had never occurred to me!
Nikki
They’re fascinating creatures!
tomthebackroadstraveller
…the butterflies and bees on your flowers are a delight. Enjoy them while you can.
Kris P
Great photos, Nikki! I particularly liked those showing the butterfly-bee dynamic. Handsome cat too. No hedgehogs here, although the raccoons are creating a ruckus – they left my garden in relative peace for a stretch this summer but they’re back and up to no good once again.
Wendy Williams
These photos are stunning. I love all of them. But, the kitty is my favorite. What a cutie!
Nikki
He is very cute! He’s about most days.
Pauline
Beautiful photos of your bees and butterflies, they are certainly finding plenty of food in your garden.
Yvonne (@Fiction_Books)
We managed to grab a day and one night away in September, when we joined friends staying near The Mumbles. We spent a lovely afternoon at the National Gardens of Wales. It was so lovely to see so many butterflies and insects all enjoying the last of the late summer warmth.
Fantastic pictures, as always! No favourites, as all nature and wildlife is amazing to me 🙂
Nikki
I have yet to visit the National Gardens of Wales. One day!
Jo
Lovely photos. Yes, it’s the same here with the weather.
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
Amazing photos – the bee and butterfly ones especially.
Lorrie Orr
Beautiful photos of these waning summer days. Love the bees and butterflies, and I’m amazed that a butterfly would assert itself so well.
Kelly
You take the best insect photos! I especially like the flower with both the bee and butterfly visiting! Speaking of insects…. I have your last letter on the ottoman in front of me (it has stamps on it with beetles) reminding me I need to write you. I’ve gone so far as to set out a card with a beetle on it along with an envelope. I’ll make a point of getting it done this week.
Very pretty kitty!
Nikki
Thank you! Looking forward to it 🙂
Ann
Stunning photos, Nikki! I love watching the bees and butterflies in our garden too, although it doesn’t offer the variety of yours! xxx
Sharon
What gorgeous photos. I love the Painted Ladies. Beautiful. X
DeniseinVA
Hello Nikki, absolutely delightful photos! Enjoyed each one very much. Thank you for visiting my blog. I look forward to coming back to yours. It’s lovely here 🙂
Nikki
Thanks for dropping by and for your lovely comment 🙂
Jodie
Really beautiful photos! I loved how you’ve caught the beauty of the flower and the butterfly and bees! That kitty is also very sweet! Thanks for sharing.
Nikki
Thank you!
Ann Coleman
What lovely photos! And I sincerely hope your drought is over.
Nikki
The water levels are still low, but we’re certainly back to more typical Welsh weather.
Johanna Bradley
Hooray for the brave butterfly, Nikki! Your close ups of the bees and butterflies are wonderful. Hope you have a great October.
Nikki
Thank you! You too 🙂
Marty
Beautiful closeups! I’m really in awe of your camera skills. That face on the black-and-white cat is great. 🙂
Nikki
Thanks!
soma @ inktorrents.com
Your garden continues to look so wonderful and full of life. Beautiful photos. The little visitor is adorable!
-Soma
Felicity Grace Terry
Loving these last glimpses of summer. Those poor hedgehogs though, given that its not un-heard of them to have a second litter mid August – mid September, I wonder how many will survive hibernation given that within a few weeks we seem to have gone from summer to autumn by-passing autumn … Can you believe that we actually had snow here in the NE of England yesterday?
Nikki
Blimey! I think we might be in for a harsh winter, it’s been a while since we had one.
Diana Studer
Wonderful photos, brava!
lisl
Your insect pictures are immaculate, Nikki
Lisa's Notebook
That’s so funny about the butterfly fighting back – good for her! Glad to see so many beautiful flowers still blooming in your garden, Nikki, and your feline visitor is adorable 🙂
Eunice Ratcliffe
Gorgeous photos, I love close-up shots of flowers and the bee and butterfly ones are great 🙂
Awakening Wonders
Love how you see the world through blooms and butterflies!