Fox cub

The mangy fox with the rat-like tail came into the garden tonight to eat the bread and tin of stale sardines I had thrown out. Then, to my surprise, a small fox cub appeared in the bushes, waited for a sign, then trotted it and filled its mouth with more bread than it could possibly hold. It dropped it, re-stuffed it and trotted off. I didn't see any cubs last year, so it was delightful to see this one. I shall try and get a photo.

Hoppy rat!

I'd just thrown a mouldy loaf out and what should be first on the scene than this rat, scampering along towards the bread.




She chose a whole slice...



then, as it was so much bigger than her, she hopped along on her hind legs, taking bounds like a kangaroo as she vanished up the side path and round the bushes. Ten minutes or so later, she was back for more, but dropped it when a magpie swooped down and attacked her. Then he carried off the spoils. There's still plenty left, though. I'm convinced Ratty is a she as she's so pretty and perky, and I feel sure she was carrying it off to her babies. (Babies??? Oh no! Flad, where are you? You're letting down the name of Cat!)

Caught!

Cats really do pick their places to sleep. Here is one of next door's cats in the fishing net which is kept by the pond. I'm sure there must be a funny caption for this photo. Any suggestions?

Slow worm

I'd just popped out to check if my tomato plants needed watering when something long and silver caught my eye. It was a slow worm gliding smoothly over the pebbles surrounding the pond into the shrubbery. Then I saw a butterfly on the busy lizzies. It was very small with brown outer wings and bright orange on the inner surface. Any ideas what it could be? It was definitely a butterfly, not a moth, as it closed its wings while sucking nectar from the flower.

Sunbathing frog

The netting has been rolled back to allow the damsel flies access for laying their eggs. This frog took advantage of his nice, open surroundings to come out for some air. I took one shot, then he (or she) obligingly stuck his head a bit further out of the water to have his portrait taken.

Strange insect

Saw a really peculiar insect in the garden. It was like a bumble bee but had what looked like a pair of filmy blue wings trailing behind it. Anyone got any idea of what it could be? It darted over the pond a few times, then hovered over blossom on a tree.

Mating damsel flies

I spotted these two yesterday. On the right, you can see a pond skater. Every time the damsels got settled, the beast would skate over and nudge them. Was it hoping to eat the eggs that were about to be laid?