Squirrel

Squirrel came along, to find some of his favorite snacks.
He found one, he had hidden in one of the flowerpots.
So amazing that he can find back his hidden treasures.

Almost drowning bumble

 Today I noticed an almost drowning  Queen Bumblebee in the pond. 
He was trying to hold on to a floating leaf in the water.
I quickly grabbed a little branch/stick to drag him out of the water.
I saw his little hairy body panting/gasping for air.

I waited  a while to see what he would do. he started walking a bit along the edge of the water, which seemed to me not safe.

I gave him the stick to hold on. I could feel through the stick the anxious buzzing vibrations as he was in panique. I quickly set him and the stick safely on the edge of a flowerpot. there he was gasping and panting again. I could see his body going up and down.
A while later after the shock, he took his wings.

Saving Ladybirds

 

The cluster of ladybirds, that were hibernating in the corner of the ceiling and here (see previous post)were awakening today. 
It is beautiful spring-like weather and lovely warm sunshine. It was their time.
I happened to notice them sitting on the glass window, on the floor and the wooden framework of the glass.
They were trying to find a way out!

Somehow they found the way inside the house last fall, but it was clear to me that they did not know how to get out. 
I wanted to help, With a brush tied to a stick, I tried to sweep them from the ceiling and the highest spots on the window. Others were easier to pick up from the floor or lower places. It was clear to me that they did not understand my interference. They flew away and stubbornly tried again to get a way out themselves. 
The door was open, but they did not understand or see that. 
I managed to rescue them after more than an hour chasing and trying to catch. Some had not survived, others looked like dead, but suddenly began to walk. I put them all outside in a violets plant. Hoping they would find something to eat or find shelter. When I looked later, to make some photo's, none of them were there anymore. all flew away except a few that did not make it.

I was able to make a beautiful photo from the last one, spreading its wings!!!!!

Queen Bumble

 It was beautiful spring like weather yesterday.

The sun doing its best to transform the winter into early spring. 
Crocuses and snowdrops everywhere in my garden. Such a delight.
I was wondering if The Bumbles were out and feasting on the nectar in the crocuses.

Knowing that the bumbles we see in Februari are all Queens, made me look at them in a different way. (see my previous posts)
And Yes! I noticed one Queen bumble feasting and going from one crocus to another.

Raising Hare

Recently, I read an amazing book.

Its a book about raising a baby hare by someone who did not know anything about hares. 
The author, Chloe Dalton, has an amazing ability to paint with words, telling her adventure to have a hare in her house, during lockdown.

As I had a hare in my garden back in 2022. Her story brought to life some beautiful memories about the  hare I had in my garden for 2 weeks. I thought it an amazing beautiful animal, coming to my garden to feast on the clovers, grasses, poppies and campanula's and other flowers.
I enjoyed it so much that I painted the hare several times. 
Again I thought it enjoyable to make some more paintings, being so inspired again by her book.

Raising Hare see the book content on Amazon for yourself.

Hole 3

 I did some research on the possibility that the hole was made by a bumble bee.

See my last posts from febr 03  and febr 05
I found on the web, that the Bumble bees are coming out of the ground from their hibernation half of Februari.
These are only the Queen Bumbles, The last year generation of bumbles all died.

Also was mentioned that they are about 10 cm beneath the surface during winter hibernation.
When the the Queen bumbles are coming out they go searching for food and make a nest for the next generation.
I love the idea of having a Queen bumble. I did not know that.
I thought only Bees have a Queen, but the bumbles are family of the bees.
Very interesting. Isn't it? 

All the bumbles you gone see this month are all Queens!

Thousands of drops

 Yesterday it had been raining, but son the sun came out to change the world into a mesmerizing beauty.
Thousands of water drops and dewdrops on every grass blade, snowdrops and on the early crocusses.
Spring is on it way. (Click on the photo's to see the beautiful diamond like drops)

Hole 2

I'm still intrigued by the hole between the bricks in the pathway.

I thought I might measure the depth of the hole. 
Put a paintbrush into it and measured it about 10 to12 cm deep. 
I still think it might be a hole of a Bumble bee. 
I cannot think of another option.

Hole

On my way to check my mailbox, I saw this!

A perfect round hole between the stones. I did not try to poke a stick between the bricks.
It looks to me an insect or a whatever tries to come above the ground. because the sand has been worked out, like a mole does.
It's about 1 cm wide. Something round came out. maybe a bumblebee?
Isn't this interesting? I wonder what it was. 

Does somebody have an idea? Please put it in the comments.
 

Snow again

 It has been snowing yesterday again. 

When I opened my eyes and looked outside, I noticed the world had been covered under a white luminous carpet. 
I always kind of rejoice seeing this transformation over night. All childlike wonder and amazement in me are awakened instantly.
I love the stillness that goes with it. Like a sacred stillness and beauty.

Squirrel

 Isn't he lovely!

ladybirds

 

The ladybirds outside, reminded me of the hibernating ladybirds inside my room. 
Who are hibernating against the ceiling.(see my post from november 7th last year)
I found one being awake, crawling on the floor to find a way out. 
So I took him outside, hoping he would find a place to continue his journey.

There are still lots of ladybirds packed together in the corner. 

Ladybirds

As I removed some old dead leaves in a pot outside, I noticed a ladybird sitting in the warm sun rays. 
The sun is shining today and I think it awakened from his hibernation.
A little later I did not see him anymore and also the sun had moved away behind some clouds.

I replaced some old leaves to see where he was hiding.
And there he was, together with his mate, sitting close together to keep warm.
I put some extra leaves on top of them to keep warm for the coming night.

Snowdrops and a crocus

 It's really happening! spring marching forward!

Lots of snowdrops daring to come out again and even a crocus is blooming!

Birds even, are singing already... inspecting nest boxes...!

Snowdrops

All the snow has disappeared and temperature has gone up. 
No more freezing. 

Today I gladly noticed that the snowdrops are coming out!

I longed for this to happen again...
and here they are! The first small announcements of spring!
 

snow birds

 The birds are really happy with some extra food in snowy frosty weather.