Bullfinches together

 Today, the bullfinches came together to have a bath. Lovely nice weather and lost of splashing!

female bullfinch

Last week I have been sitting with my camera on my watch post, to be able to capture the bullfinches.

Mostly they came once a day. In the beginning it was between 10 and 11 in the morning, but later they had another schedule for bathing. 

Anyway, passion and patience did the job for me.

I also made some oil paintings. They are such inspiring beautiful birds.
 

Bullfinch/goldfinch

 

Almost every day I saw the bullfinch in the birdbath smashing around. (Here named Goldfinch)

So much orange/pink in a bird is astonishing!

Happy cat

Happy cat
 

Bird breeding

Doodle, 

Bird breeding on many coloured eggs.

Empty cocoon

 Yesterday I noticed that the cocoon was empty!

This was not according to my plan!

I had the cocoon taken inside, on some branches and leaves in a jar, to be able to follow the process of transformation easily and keep my eye on it. I was really disappointed to notice the the ladybird had come out, without me.

And to make it worse... where is he? Now, roaming around in my house without food would be a small disaster. I looked for him everywhere on the walls and windows...no ladybird to be seen anywhere.

However, today my sister came along and I showed the small empty cocoon and told the whole story that I wanted to photograph or maybe film the whole process... She suddenly noticed the ladybird sitting under a leaf where he sat in hiding!

I was so relieved to notice he had not flown away, but had waited for us to see.

I took some pics and then set there little jar with branches and leaves outside. No that he can fly away to find his food and have a free life!

So glad it all finished well!

Cocoon ladybird

I should have posted this on June 29th. For some reason I did n't.

The cocoon made some lifting movements. Stretching up and down. And then stopped for a while. I was hoping the ladybird would come out soon. but as it was getting dark, it did not.

 

Erigeron

 Today I tried to find out if I can sow the Erigeron. Its a lovely plant, blossoming almost throughout the year with beautiful daisy-like flowers.

I had bought them some years ago and they sow themselves out between the tiles and stones.

I love daisies growing in my grass, and these ones are really awesome as well. I tried to collect the little seeds and tried to sow them in some pots. to see if they multiply on purpose.

Look how beautiful these tiny seeds are! So fluffy and easily blown away by the wind or a small breeze.

Ladybird cocoon

Today I was on my bike and on my way cycling along some nice smaller roads, I wanted to pick some field flowers. I love the flowers that grow in the wild. 

On one of the leaves of the flower stem there were 2 ladybirds mating. I also noticed a cocoon of a ladybird glued on a leaf.

The ladybirds flew away. The cocoon stayed on the leaf. I took it home. Now I have a cocoon here. 

Tomorrow I hope the ladybird might come out. I will keep my eye on it.

I do hope to see the transformation happening.

Bird sitting on eggs

Lovely bird sitting on many coloured eggs

Celebration

 Finally I am doodling again.

It has been a long time, kind of being stuck in this. 

I'm celebrating it has revived again!

Dove

 Dove trying to take a bath...The first too big, the second too small...

Woodpecker

 Woodpecker having a pause in the wisteria,

Carduelis carduelis

 Interesting that this bird is named in english 'Goldfinch' (Carduelis Carduelis)

Here in Holland he's named Putter. I love this bird. 

Bull finch

 A few days ago, I spotted this awesome bird in my garden. I rarely see him.

He looks like a tropical bird, with all this bright pink feathers! In Dutch he is named: Goldfinch. however in  other countries they name him Bullfinch. He is definitely golden!

Flycatcher

Finally I got a photo of the female flycatcher. They have young now and soon ready to fly out. It was a great concern to me when I had seen the male flycatcher in April 4th.

I was hoping the female would arrive soon as well. The male was calling and calling, but she did not show up. After one month I finally saw her to my great relief. They don't fly together when they come all the way from Africa. I don't know why they don't. It would be a lot easier, as you ask me. But they didn't ask for my advice.

Finally when she arrived I really enjoyed it and I am sure the male enjoyed it even more. Now the young are almost ready. I hope I do get a glimpse of them as well.