While June was warmer and drier than May it still seemed to me to be chillier than usual with many overcast days. However, the mock orange – Philadelphus virginal – gleamed in the sunlight when it did show up. We have two of these trees/shrubs.
One has frillier flowers than the other.
For colour the fox and cubs –Pilosella aurantiaca – have sprung into action.
I believe they are a type of hawkweed, as are these yellow dandelion type flowers. They are popular with bees and other pollinators like this beetle.
Speaking of beetles, I was very pleased to spot a native 7 spot ladybird. I usually only see the harlequin varieties these days.
There also seems to be more snails about, probably thanks to the damp spring we had. In recent years they have been greatly outnumbered by slugs for some reason.
The honeysuckle has been providing succour for the bees.
As has the clover. I mow the lawn once a fortnight and consider it to be deadheading the clover to encourage fresh flowers. Consequently the lawn is buzzing with happy bees.
Coming in to land on the foxglove landing strip.
The wild strawberries have fruited. They are quite tasty; not as sweet as farm grown ones and they are pathetically small, but they are free.
Butterflies had pretty much disappeared from the garden so I was glad to see this speckled wood going strong.
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I love all your bright photos of colourful flowers and close ups of the bees. Looks like a good summer π
Thanks. Actually, I think it has been a pretty chilly, damp summer so far, I have been selective in my photos π
haha Oh I see! π
Well I hope it warms up a bit over the next 2 months of your summer π
Very good bee and butterfly shots, but I liked the snail best of all.
Thank you very much.