I have been missing out on Six and Saturday the last while. Life is busy and Saturday’s are equally so. But here are my six for this week. The wildflower meadow is just getting going.
Lots of blues and purples in the garden – like this iris
Sage is looking good.
As is the lavender.
And for a change of colour – how about a pink geranium?
And finally this week an aquilegia seed head.
For more Six on Saturday check out Six on Saturday’s host page here – The Propagator.
This week, Amy asks us to share little things that makes us smile. Well anyone that follows me will probably guess that I would share a bee photo. They always make me smile.
Nature is amazing and there are so many tiny creatures to wonder at. Here is one I have shared before. Ladybirds always make me smile.
The other things that makes me smile are chickens. Here is one of my daughter’s silkies. A double smile, because they make her smile too.
In this week’s Lens Artists photo challenge, Sofia tells us that bokeh “is the pleasing or aesthetic quality of out-of-focus blur in a photograph.” My 40-150mm lens is pretty good at creating this effect without me having to think too hard about it. Here are a few examples from the last couple of weeks. The first one shows lots of blurry branches from the trees behind – not perhaps the most effective bokeh, but I like the bee in flight.
The next three have all a green blurred background as spring is here and everything is greening up nicely.
Thanks to Sofia for a great challenge.
This week Patti reminds us of the Robert Capa quote – “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” I have delved back into last summer archives to find some examples.
Bees always look better up close.
As do butterflies.
A mixed week but the last couple of days have been frosty and then bright. Feeling very like spring, and first pollinators are emerging so bit of a pollinator theme going on this week. Many thanks for our host “The Propagator” for hosting Six on Saturday. Check out the participation guide.
My first this week is a dandelion with the first of the pollinators, a hoverfly, which I think is Eristalis pertinax. It is really important that we leave dandelions to bloom as they are a very important food source for these early emerging pollinators.
Crocuses are another great food source for queen bumblebees that are emerging from hibernation at this time of year.
Willow catkins, again here being used by hoverflies, and they will also be used by bumblebees.
As will Hellebores.
I love daffodils – and the larger ones are also flowering now – bees will use them but only if they are really hungry and can’t find anything more appealing.
And finally this week the frogs have pretty much finished spawning in the garden pond (this photo is from earlier in the week). I hope the spawn won’t get too frosted.
Wishing everyone a great gardening week.
Murtagh's Meadow 