Barbara
@onther1se.bsky.social
Fascinated by nature. Supportive of all living things & their right to exist peacefully and unharmed. 🌱🐈⬛🦋🐾🇬🇧
The satisfaction & relief of bringing the tender fuchsias & agapanthus into the greenhouse before the first forecast sharp frosts of the winter. Also moved pots of hardy plants around & planted two tubs of spring bulbs. Almost winter-ready 🍂🍁🌷
November 16, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The satisfaction & relief of bringing the tender fuchsias & agapanthus into the greenhouse before the first forecast sharp frosts of the winter. Also moved pots of hardy plants around & planted two tubs of spring bulbs. Almost winter-ready 🍂🍁🌷
A lovely package of beautiful things from @theweeowl.bsky.social has arrived safely through #StormClaudia. Inside the tissue paper is a precious drawing, protected from damp by a cellophane sleeve. Do check out @theweeowl.bsky.social & treat yourself & others to her delightful, unique work. 🦉🎁🖌️
November 14, 2025 at 7:06 PM
A lovely package of beautiful things from @theweeowl.bsky.social has arrived safely through #StormClaudia. Inside the tissue paper is a precious drawing, protected from damp by a cellophane sleeve. Do check out @theweeowl.bsky.social & treat yourself & others to her delightful, unique work. 🦉🎁🖌️
The rain from #StormClaudia is lashing down. The lack of human activity is an opportunity for birds to visit our garden undisturbed. A Goldcrest has worked it's way around every branch of the young Blenheim Orange apple tree, raindrops bouncing off its shielding feathers.
November 14, 2025 at 11:13 AM
The rain from #StormClaudia is lashing down. The lack of human activity is an opportunity for birds to visit our garden undisturbed. A Goldcrest has worked it's way around every branch of the young Blenheim Orange apple tree, raindrops bouncing off its shielding feathers.
A misty day when cloud sat so low over the land that it's moisture covered everything. Up high above the clouds, a thin seeping noise as parties of Redwing arrived for winter. One group dropped low to circle the copse once, twice & again. Committing the luxuriant berried trees to group memory.
October 13, 2025 at 10:08 PM
A misty day when cloud sat so low over the land that it's moisture covered everything. Up high above the clouds, a thin seeping noise as parties of Redwing arrived for winter. One group dropped low to circle the copse once, twice & again. Committing the luxuriant berried trees to group memory.
I think this is a Frosted Orange moth. Or perhaps a Sunflower Borer. Thanks to Google lens for those suggestions, I had never seen a moth like this before. It was uncovered when I was harvesting potatoes, hiding in the compost. The metallic sheen & Fin de Siecle pattern is stunning.
September 30, 2025 at 4:04 PM
I think this is a Frosted Orange moth. Or perhaps a Sunflower Borer. Thanks to Google lens for those suggestions, I had never seen a moth like this before. It was uncovered when I was harvesting potatoes, hiding in the compost. The metallic sheen & Fin de Siecle pattern is stunning.
End of September, high pressure = clear skies. The mornings start chilly, with mist rising from the river. The sun's warmth is still strong, lots of butterflies still around: Speckled Woods, Whites, Red Admirals & a fresh Brimstone today #butterflies 🐛🦋 @savebutterflies.bsky.social
September 30, 2025 at 3:59 PM
End of September, high pressure = clear skies. The mornings start chilly, with mist rising from the river. The sun's warmth is still strong, lots of butterflies still around: Speckled Woods, Whites, Red Admirals & a fresh Brimstone today #butterflies 🐛🦋 @savebutterflies.bsky.social
I met this fine looking chap/ess today. It's the caterpillar of a Grey Dagger moth but how I wanted it to be the butterfly that it most resembles: a Swallowtail. Sadly we're many counties adrift from them.
September 8, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I met this fine looking chap/ess today. It's the caterpillar of a Grey Dagger moth but how I wanted it to be the butterfly that it most resembles: a Swallowtail. Sadly we're many counties adrift from them.
My first Small Copper of the year, this afternoon between heavy rain showers. AND A SWALLOW HAS FLOWN PAST AS I WRITE! I'm so thrilled to see these little souls.
September 1, 2025 at 6:21 PM
My first Small Copper of the year, this afternoon between heavy rain showers. AND A SWALLOW HAS FLOWN PAST AS I WRITE! I'm so thrilled to see these little souls.
I've just done a #Bigbutterflycount for @savebutterflies.bsky.social on this sunny morning. I've been able to record on their app: 1 large white, 1 Red Admiral & 14 😲 Gatekeepers. But there was also a bonus Hummingbird Hawkmoth 🎉 One lavender was preferred to the other 3!
July 25, 2025 at 9:13 AM
I've just done a #Bigbutterflycount for @savebutterflies.bsky.social on this sunny morning. I've been able to record on their app: 1 large white, 1 Red Admiral & 14 😲 Gatekeepers. But there was also a bonus Hummingbird Hawkmoth 🎉 One lavender was preferred to the other 3!
Hello friend! I didn't expect to find you in the cucumber growbag, but you're very welcome. 🐸🐌
July 20, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Hello friend! I didn't expect to find you in the cucumber growbag, but you're very welcome. 🐸🐌
Amongst many wonderful sights at Rousham gardens yesterday, these delicate harebells peeked out from the edge of the conifers. #wildflowerhour
July 20, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Amongst many wonderful sights at Rousham gardens yesterday, these delicate harebells peeked out from the edge of the conifers. #wildflowerhour
Heatwave emergency measures are necessary: the rabbits are in the house as it's 4 or 5 degrees cooler than their shed/ the garden. They're eating breakfast & we all had a quiet night.
Please put a dish of water out on the ground if you can for creatures that can't escape the heat.
Please put a dish of water out on the ground if you can for creatures that can't escape the heat.
July 11, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Heatwave emergency measures are necessary: the rabbits are in the house as it's 4 or 5 degrees cooler than their shed/ the garden. They're eating breakfast & we all had a quiet night.
Please put a dish of water out on the ground if you can for creatures that can't escape the heat.
Please put a dish of water out on the ground if you can for creatures that can't escape the heat.
The nasturtiums are doing brilliantly - never grown them before. Just before peak flower, they've become home to aphids, ants, eggs & now caterpillars. They're all welcome but are at risk of literally eating themselves out of house & home 🐛🐜🦋🏵️
July 4, 2025 at 12:28 PM
The nasturtiums are doing brilliantly - never grown them before. Just before peak flower, they've become home to aphids, ants, eggs & now caterpillars. They're all welcome but are at risk of literally eating themselves out of house & home 🐛🐜🦋🏵️
Day 30 of #30DaysWild 2025
It's a hot one in the south of England, currently 31 Celsius here. After this month of paying more attention to the nature around me & having seen 2 Green-veined white 🦋 on wet soil, I've put out an additional dish of water in the shade.
Take care everyone 🌡️
It's a hot one in the south of England, currently 31 Celsius here. After this month of paying more attention to the nature around me & having seen 2 Green-veined white 🦋 on wet soil, I've put out an additional dish of water in the shade.
Take care everyone 🌡️
June 30, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Day 30 of #30DaysWild 2025
It's a hot one in the south of England, currently 31 Celsius here. After this month of paying more attention to the nature around me & having seen 2 Green-veined white 🦋 on wet soil, I've put out an additional dish of water in the shade.
Take care everyone 🌡️
It's a hot one in the south of England, currently 31 Celsius here. After this month of paying more attention to the nature around me & having seen 2 Green-veined white 🦋 on wet soil, I've put out an additional dish of water in the shade.
Take care everyone 🌡️
Day 29 of #30DaysWild
📢 Alert! We have entered Gatekeeper season 📢
There were four pristine little Pyronia tithonus fluttering around the garden at one point this morning. They're very accommodating & patient. Lots of other insects too, it was buzzing 🦋🐞🐝🪰🪳🦟🦗🪲
📢 Alert! We have entered Gatekeeper season 📢
There were four pristine little Pyronia tithonus fluttering around the garden at one point this morning. They're very accommodating & patient. Lots of other insects too, it was buzzing 🦋🐞🐝🪰🪳🦟🦗🪲
June 29, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Day 29 of #30DaysWild
📢 Alert! We have entered Gatekeeper season 📢
There were four pristine little Pyronia tithonus fluttering around the garden at one point this morning. They're very accommodating & patient. Lots of other insects too, it was buzzing 🦋🐞🐝🪰🪳🦟🦗🪲
📢 Alert! We have entered Gatekeeper season 📢
There were four pristine little Pyronia tithonus fluttering around the garden at one point this morning. They're very accommodating & patient. Lots of other insects too, it was buzzing 🦋🐞🐝🪰🪳🦟🦗🪲
Day 28 of #30DaysWild
The solitary bee hotel is being used again this year 🎉
The pattern of inhabitation changes & they've found some interesting coloured materials this year.
Whilst I watched - a bonus visit from a busy bee 🐝
The solitary bee hotel is being used again this year 🎉
The pattern of inhabitation changes & they've found some interesting coloured materials this year.
Whilst I watched - a bonus visit from a busy bee 🐝
June 28, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Day 28 of #30DaysWild
The solitary bee hotel is being used again this year 🎉
The pattern of inhabitation changes & they've found some interesting coloured materials this year.
Whilst I watched - a bonus visit from a busy bee 🐝
The solitary bee hotel is being used again this year 🎉
The pattern of inhabitation changes & they've found some interesting coloured materials this year.
Whilst I watched - a bonus visit from a busy bee 🐝
Day 27 of #30DaysWild
Looking with more curiosity than usual at the seed heads of Canterbury Bells (Campanula persicifolia). Each has four indentations that gradually pull apart as it dries, to release the ripe seed. Genius!
Today's ladybird was rescued from the cut stalks. 🐞
Looking with more curiosity than usual at the seed heads of Canterbury Bells (Campanula persicifolia). Each has four indentations that gradually pull apart as it dries, to release the ripe seed. Genius!
Today's ladybird was rescued from the cut stalks. 🐞
June 27, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Day 27 of #30DaysWild
Looking with more curiosity than usual at the seed heads of Canterbury Bells (Campanula persicifolia). Each has four indentations that gradually pull apart as it dries, to release the ripe seed. Genius!
Today's ladybird was rescued from the cut stalks. 🐞
Looking with more curiosity than usual at the seed heads of Canterbury Bells (Campanula persicifolia). Each has four indentations that gradually pull apart as it dries, to release the ripe seed. Genius!
Today's ladybird was rescued from the cut stalks. 🐞
Day 26 #30DaysWild Putting food out for the birds everyday through the year highlights the shifts in species, population & behaviour. It's peak fledgling time now & this a typical range of sparrows, starlings, jackdaws, blackbirds. Lots of cover for them as there's often a sparrowhawk around.
June 26, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Day 26 #30DaysWild Putting food out for the birds everyday through the year highlights the shifts in species, population & behaviour. It's peak fledgling time now & this a typical range of sparrows, starlings, jackdaws, blackbirds. Lots of cover for them as there's often a sparrowhawk around.
Day 25 of #30DaysWild
A symphony of purple shades blooming today. It's also been a ladybird-rich day, tiny orange ones, yellow multi-spots (Colorado beetles?) and more familiar native 7 spots.
A symphony of purple shades blooming today. It's also been a ladybird-rich day, tiny orange ones, yellow multi-spots (Colorado beetles?) and more familiar native 7 spots.
June 25, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Day 25 of #30DaysWild
A symphony of purple shades blooming today. It's also been a ladybird-rich day, tiny orange ones, yellow multi-spots (Colorado beetles?) and more familiar native 7 spots.
A symphony of purple shades blooming today. It's also been a ladybird-rich day, tiny orange ones, yellow multi-spots (Colorado beetles?) and more familiar native 7 spots.
Day 23 #30DaysWild Golden hour in the garden. #LetitbloomJune and the feathery grass flowers are waving to the knapweed that has Yellow Rattle at its feet. Just out of view are Field Scabious and Betony. Later bats will visit to chase the moths that hide here.
June 23, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Day 23 #30DaysWild Golden hour in the garden. #LetitbloomJune and the feathery grass flowers are waving to the knapweed that has Yellow Rattle at its feet. Just out of view are Field Scabious and Betony. Later bats will visit to chase the moths that hide here.
Day 22 #30DaysWild (catching up) Just some of the natural history and biography books that sustain me. Some are cherished old friends, some still strangers whose company I'm looking forward to embracing.
June 23, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Day 22 #30DaysWild (catching up) Just some of the natural history and biography books that sustain me. Some are cherished old friends, some still strangers whose company I'm looking forward to embracing.
Day 21 #30DaysWild During the welcome warm rain shower as I was taking this, a Hummingbird Hawkmoth whizzed up to the strawberry. Utterly overwhelmed with delight. Happy #SummerSolstice & blessings!
June 21, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Day 21 #30DaysWild During the welcome warm rain shower as I was taking this, a Hummingbird Hawkmoth whizzed up to the strawberry. Utterly overwhelmed with delight. Happy #SummerSolstice & blessings!
Day 20 #30DaysWild I'm trying out copper tape around the vegetable bed as a mollusc deterrent. So far, so good. But I hadn't reckoned on their sneaky burrowing technique 😲🐌
June 20, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Day 20 #30DaysWild I'm trying out copper tape around the vegetable bed as a mollusc deterrent. So far, so good. But I hadn't reckoned on their sneaky burrowing technique 😲🐌
Day 19 of #30DaysWild sitting in the garden listening to a blackbird holding his territory beautifully & gazing at the sky full of mare's tails. It's 2 days before the longest day, has been 29 Celsius & will be hotter tomorrow.
June 19, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Day 19 of #30DaysWild sitting in the garden listening to a blackbird holding his territory beautifully & gazing at the sky full of mare's tails. It's 2 days before the longest day, has been 29 Celsius & will be hotter tomorrow.