Well, apparently all it took for us to get better weather was for me to complain about it on the blog. Yesterday was a dream of a day, sunny and comfortable. I opened all the windows and let the air flow through the house, and sat out on the back garden bench for an hour or two just watching the birds and bugs and taking photos.
The morning was chilly. That's when I found this little ladybug hunkered down inside an azalea blossom. That azalea is called "Pink Spider" and it's one that I got for free during the Covid lockdowns years ago, when one of the garden centers was giving its plants away. There appears to be a second azalea in the same pot, with solid pink blossoms. I guess they make a good shelter for ladybugs!
This was my main job for the day -- cleaning all the windows in the living room and bedroom. It took a couple of hours because we have a lot of freakin' windows, but the room looks much better. I only do this once a year or so and it makes a huge difference. I still have to do the front of the house -- the dining room and the window next to the front door. I'll get around to it eventually.
Dave stayed home yesterday because he wasn't feeling well, but he was either asleep in bed or in his chair wearing headphones much of the afternoon, so honestly it wasn't much different from having the house to myself.
As I sat on the bench in the afternoon this little blue tit was flitting around in the maple tree overhead, evidently eating bugs.
And when I took a close look at the tree's tiny flowers, I saw that they were indeed covered with little insects -- that winged one at the top got my attention first, but look at all the others too! Aphids, I think? You can even see glistening drops of tree sap at the bottom of the picture, center-right. Bug heaven!
And then this morning, as I sat down to write, this happened. A young fox appeared at our window, peering in at me over the top of the television. It had climbed up on a patio planter to get a view indoors. As I watched it jumped atop the fence between us and the neighbors, and walked across the thick ivy that covers the fence. I'm guessing it's hunting something up there -- bird nests, maybe? It eventually jumped down without catching anything, as far as I could tell. Wild Kingdom!
I suspect that the young fox was checking you out and wondering what you might taste like*. Perhaps realising that he could not tackle you on his own, he has probably gone away to recruit some mates and they'll be back today or tomorrow so make sure you close those windows and stay indoors!
ReplyDelete*= probably tandoori chicken.
Firstly I love your rug in the sitting room, so much colour! Foxes are no longer scared of humans, happily we no longer hunt them, they are much bolder, I do love their colourful coats. Good to see the birds after the bugs, it's the natural cycle.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the fox was birdwatching!
ReplyDeleteGood photo of the bluetit and the aphids
Your living room is almost a jungle, but looks lovely. How lucky to watch a bird feeding on bugs.
ReplyDeleteYour living room looks like a conservatory. So beautiful. I love seeing the fox and especially love knowing the blue tit is gorging itself on aphids. Thank you, blue tit.
ReplyDeleteYou are almost finding yourself a job to do in your retirement. Not housekeeping but recording all the happenings in your garden. The living room is lovely its greenery echoes the garden outside.. Someone over many years recorded everything thing in their garden, I think she was called Jennifer Owens.
ReplyDeleteYour living room looks wonderful; I love how the rug picks up the theme from all the real plants in the room.
ReplyDeleteThat fox probably thinks he/she is a cat :-)
I don't feel quite so bad now about my infrequent window cleaning if you only do yours once a year. 😁
ReplyDeleteI wonder if that fox has been doing that while you were at work and he's a bit annoyed to find you're around all the time now, in his garden.
ReplyDeleteI never clean my windows. Although to be fair to me, we only have one that isn't always covered by curtains. I DID clean part of the one window a couple of weeks ago, but I should probably clean our storm doors at some point. I don't think it can wait until after my shoulder surgery!
ReplyDeleteI love your garden, and as I've said before, would really enjoy spending an afternoon out there.
Your house does get a lot of light; I love all the windows.
ReplyDeleteI think your house is already showing signs of loving having you at home to tend it. It is so light-filled.
ReplyDeleteThe picture of the tit, pausing in her feasting is precious. Look at the expression on her face. I know, I know! I am anthropomorphizing but still...
And the fox. What a healthy looking animal. Can you imagine spending almost all of your waking hours searching out things to eat? That one is certainly finding enough to stay healthy.
I LOVE that the fox actually visited you by the house! And boy, it looks terrific in there. I love your many windows and the plants are thriving. Nice view with your (relatively) new rug, too! Your video is especially nice -- it's fun to see the foxes in the daytime with "regular" eyes! And the wonderful colors!
ReplyDeleteSo far everything is going well in retirement. Keep it that way.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice photo of your living room. I was surprised by the size of your TV, though. Don't you watch a lot of movies? Maybe you have a bigger TV in another room? I forget. Hope Dave feels better.
ReplyDelete