July was a month of highs and lows… The highs were the temperatures, and the lows were mostly a result of the temperatures!
The garden was busy with all kinds of bees, butterflies, ladybirds and more. At the beginning of the month, I stood and watched as a leafcutter bee made use of the bug house. It flew back and forth, cutting bits of leaves from my dahlias and taking them back to the bug house to create a nest (you can find a video of this on Instagram).
Temperatures soared into the 30s, and at one point, I thought I was going to lose all my dahlias. Some started to discolour and wrinkle. I wasn’t happy! Thankfully, most of them started to bounce back after some much-needed water.
A variety of butterflies fluttered around the garden. One afternoon, a lone Red Admiral butterfly landed on my t-shirt for a rest, and I had to stand there until it was ready to fly off again! The white ones are seemingly a hyperactive variety, flitting here and there but barely stopping long enough for me to take a photo. Still, I’m sure we have fewer and fewer butterflies each year.
Ladybirds could be found anywhere, from resting in the dahlia petals to running around the borage.
Bees, both big and small, were numerous and busy bouncing from flower to flower. I had to be careful not to get in their way!
Let’s see what August brings!
How’s your garden doing?
48 Comments
David M. Gascoigne
It’s really terrific to see all these pollinators at work. Every glimmer of hope in their catastrophic decline is encouraging. Your flowers are splendidly beautiful; they must bring you great joy. All the best- David
Nikki
They do. Thank you!
Anne Sandler
What beautiful macro images of insects, flowers and bees.
Eastside Cats
Gorgeous images of flora and fauna!
tomthebackroadstraveller
…Nikki, always stop to smell the flowers, but be careful of the bees!
Nikki
Definitely!
Kelly
Despite the heat, your garden is beautiful. You take the most amazing photos of flowers and insects. I can rarely get anything that flies to cooperate with me! I don’t think I’ve ever asked, what kind of camera do you use?
p.s. I’m hoping to get a letter off Tuesday!
Nikki
For this post, all of the photos were taken with my mobile phone (Samsung 23 Ultra). If I’ve got my camera out thn it’s usually my Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III and either my 60mm Macro lens or 14-140mm lens.
Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au
These are beautiful Nikki – I love the pinks and it’s made my very wintery day a little brighter. And in reply to your comment on my blog – thank you for sharing your birdfeeder a few months ago, it’s what inspired the birthday present for my husband. 🙂
Nikki
I’m so glad the birdfeeder went down well. I love checking mine to see who has visited.
lisl
Your garden should make you proud – the dahlias are stunning, and the insects keep coming. I am so pleased that the plants bounced back after such severe temperatures, Nikki
Nikki
Thank you 🙂
Margaret
Very pretty.
Johanna Bradley
You have a fabulous collection of dahlias and it’s good to see that they’ve survived the heat. Great photos, Nikki, and the Instagram video was fascinating xx
Nikki
Thank you!
Ginnie Hart
Unbelievable and spectacular images of both the flowers and the butterflies and ladybirds, Nikki. WOW. You can be very proud of what you have posted here.
Nikki
Thanks! I am 🙂
Jo
Wonderful photos, good to see so many bees and butterflies about.
Mike@Bitaboutbritain
Stunning pictures, Nikki. Your dahlias are way ahead of ours – that’s what comes of being exiled in the frozen north! And if that’s your garden, it is beautiful. Loads of butterflies round here this year, but not enough bees!
Nikki
We seem to have it the other way around… Not many butterflies, but plenty of bees!
Astrid
This is an almost never ending series of beautiful pictures you took from your dahlia’s and bees and butterflies. What a joy that must be to be surrounded by that “wild life”. I can feel your fear for the hot weather we had, but your flowers really survived well. Such nice colours and shapes. Thank for sharing and have a wonderful day.
Nikki
They haven’t done too badly, have they? 🙂
Kris P
Great shots, Nikki! Your dahlias got a much earlier start than mine, which are only now starting to bloom. I admired your ‘Edge of Joy’ variety – I thought I’d ordered that tuber but, if so, it never arrived. I’ll have to correct that omission next year. Your bee and butterfly shots are wonderful too – I’ve yet to catch a single photo of a butterfly in my own garden this year. The peacock butterfly is a beauty but apparently not native here.
Nikki
‘Edge of Joy’ is one of my favourites.
Ann
Your garden photos are stunning and a true sight for sore eyes!
I’ve also been enjoying your videos on Instagram! xxx
Nikki
Thanks 🙂
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
Stunning garden photography! Just beautiful.
Nikki
Thank you!
Carol
Wow! I’m in heaven looking at your photos!
Anca
Beautiful! I love dahlias and yours look splendid. Some of mine didn’t survive and I should go and buy new ones.
Nikki
I’ve bought a couple more this weekend!
DeniseinVA
Your flowers with their little visitors are stunning! So sharp and clear! I am leaving with a big smile. Thank you so much for sharing them and wishing you a very happy rest of the week.
Nikki
I’m so glad you like them. Thanks for dropping by!
Soma @ InkTorrents.com
Your photos are always so lovely!! Dahlia is one of my favourite flowers. Great to see all the little pollinators around.
-Soma
Nikki
Thank you! It’s one of my favourite flowers too!
Yeah, Another Blogger
Your garden looks great.
Neil S.
Nikki
Thanks 🙂
Peter B.
A gorgeous collection of flowers and flower-lovers (butterflies, bees, etc). Wonderful photos! I think my favorite is the Peacock butterfly.
Nikki
Thank you.
jeanie
Oh Nikki, you have put your camera to amazingly fantastic work this season. Every one merits a frame and the collection its own exhibition. Printed on cards, something. They’re beautiful, each and every one!
Nikki
I try! I do print some of my photos on cards to send to penpals.
hena
Beautiful photos.
Beverley
It is good to see all those brightly coloured flowers and even better to see the butterflies, bees and ladybirds enjoying them too. Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos, Nikki.
Linda
Your photos are absolutely stunning. I ❤️ love nature. Thank you so much for sharing and warm greetings from a retired lady living in Montreal, Canada
Nikki
Thank you!
tomthebackroadstraveller
…Nikki, your flowers and pollinators are gorgeous, thanks for sharing them with me.
Alan Rolfe
Dahlias are one of a very select number of flowers that I can recognise.
Catherine
I’ve just found this lovely post. Such gorgeous dahlias, complete with bees and bonny butterflies. The perfect combination!