loud tweet

After having a bath, this Finch is very loudly singing his tweet.

Queen arrived

Of course he could not wait, not for my help, nor support.
When I looked to see how the cocoon was doing, I saw it was empty.
The Queen butterfly sitting at the end of the stick.

I sat for a while with him sitting on my finger, watching him closely.
Such a beauty.
Even his legs have a yellow stripe.
The strenghth in the legs is so tingly yet tight gripping to hold himself.
After a while he took his wings, flying away high.

Unexpected

Unexpected, I was thinking today, to give an eye at the cocoons of the Swallowtail.

I had given up on them, to be honest.
End of May, and still no butterflies. only dead looking cocoons.
I had read and seen that they always come end of April.
Even one had gone out in March...

So I thought these 3 cocoons that were still left were not coming anymore.
Maybe something went wrong...so was my thinking, that happens sometimes.
I had stored two cocoons outside, so whatever happens ... nothing can go wrong,
and if they come out, they can easily fly away.
To my surprise I saw that one cocoon was empty.

and of course being outside...the butterfly had flown away.
The other one is still green and it looks like he is shining through a little, so that might mean he is on the way.

Then I went for a look at the third cocoon in the glasshouse inside.
This one had tied himself on the wood of the glasshouse, so I was not able to get him out.

I had stored this one in my atelier...and surprise, surprise....there was a butterfly sitting inside on the glass window.
Maybe he has been sitting there for some days...so immediately I took him outside to open the window..
It did not take long that he few high away into the blue sky.

Maybe there is a lesson here...for me at least and maybe for you 2
Not to give up...too soon...when things look dead and never seem to come alive.

grey flycatcher

The grey flycatchers have begun to build a nest on the birdhouse under the roof.
I keep away a bit from the place, not to come too near,
because the birds are very shy, they can be easily disturbed, and go someplace else.
I know that from other years...when the building stopped and they went to someplace else.

Fly catcher baby's

It looks like the flycatchers have young or nearly young.
More often I see her flying again around the house.
That means that breeding time has probably finished.

Although I need to keep my eye on them for a closer look.

Sparrows

In M's garden are lots and lots of sparrows.
I wish I had sparrows in my garden, but somehow they never come.
So I  enjoy hers.

Stork

On a lamp pole near M's house landed a stork...
M. said that he sat there almost every day, and also his mate came sitting on the other lamp pole nearby.
We could come very close, which he did not mind.

Grey Flycatcher

For some days I noticed the Grey Flycatcher (Grauwe Vliegenvanger) has arrived all the way from Africa.
Some years ago he nested on top of a bird box on my house under the gutter.
He has been inspecting the house again, though I am not sure if it is found okay.

Turtle dove

Visiting M. for her birthday, I was welcomed by a turtle dove sitting on a pole by the entrance where I parked my car.
When I came closer, the dove did not fly away.
He sat there very peaceful, waiting...looking...
Because it was raining he had put up his/her feathers, which I always like so much of birds when they are ruffled and a bit untidy.
Such a beauty, having her /his nest nearby.

When I left, he still sat there, having tidied his feathers in normal position.

or...looking closer, seeing this one has a stripe in his neck, which I don't see on the ruffled one..

maybe is this the mate or the parent?

Another one..having no stripe in his neck, might be the one a bit unruffled.

young blue-tits

The blue-tits have young.
The feeding goes on and on.
Parents flying with lots of stuff.
yummy caterpillars for the menu today.

wisteria

Today the Wisteria (Blauwe regen) not yet complete open,
showing its beauty and fragrance.
To me he is now on its best.

raindrops

Raindrops everywhere.

unfolding flowers

It is lovely to see all these new beginnings.
Fresh flowers and buds, covered with drops of a mild rain.

ladybird

Ladybird on my door, trying to get inside.

vine

Unfolding leaves of the vine.

I wonder what the vine is going to do this year.
Last year, mostly leaves..maybe 3 to 5 bunch of grapes ... though bigger than normal.
The grapes were too big for a blackbird to swallow.
So they did not eat them.
The grapes sat so long on the vine, so that they became really sweet.

I wonder if ....this year....maybe some more?

apple beginnings?

About a week ago, the apple tree was in full bloom.

some showers later the blossom leaves are almost gone.
On the ground a carpet of white.
I wonder if there are new beginnings of apple?

Blue cloud

A perfect blue cloud is hanging right before my doorstep.
The Wisteria, (blauwe regen) has started to unfold its beauty.
In the evening, and also during the day, it also spreads a lovely fragrance.
During the evening the scent is much stronger.

Every year when its buds are unfolding it is always a surprise,
as if you had forgotten how lovely it was.

Twirling

A small blossom leaf of the apple tree, hanging on a spider-silk
twirling around by the wind

unfolding leaves

Because of the warmer temperatures and a little bit of showers,
the beech leaves are suddenly awakening.
I love it to see these beautiful wrapped buds unfolding.