Cheers Paul - much appreciated. If I get any more late night deliveries the driver will just have to throw it over the gate!
Hi Katrina, how are you doing? I have a lot of catching up to do. I think that was just a lucky shot with the Brimstone.
Cheers Wurzel - there have been quite a few Brimstones in the garden, both male and female. I've seen all the hibernaters except for ST but that is not unusual - don't seem to get many around here.
Thank you David - it is kind of you to say so but as the season progresses I am hoping I may have more interesting shots to post. The pressure is on now to live up to Neil's expectations!!
Good to hear from you Otep and thank you for your kind words. Yes, I was running as I didn't want the delivery driver to get soaked. The force knocked me to the ground leaving me crawling around the wet grass with blood pouring down my face. I broke a tooth and my specs, and yes, it was very scary. I hope that is all the drama over with for this season!
Before I plunge head first into this season I shall look back briefly over my hibernation months. One of my first tasks was to cut down and dispose of that interesting 'herb' that had taken root. However, each time I went to do the deed there was a different larva on it - certainly a popular plant:
Tidying up the garden for the winter I pulled up some weeds and found a toad and a newt side by side, hunkered down in the soil. I was quite surprised as I have never before seen a newt in the garden:
Sadly, my old cockerel who I'd had for 15 years had to be pts leaving Amy needing some company. Here she is with Greta, another Sulmtaler:
I have discovered that like Macaw parrots, when they are angry/frustrated etc the bare, pale pink skin around the eyes, turns a deep red which is a good indication of their mood - something even the breeder wasn't aware of.
I'd just like to wish you all a Happy Easter and hope you are making the most of the weather.