Frog movie

Captured the early mating frogs in my pond, back in March, I've wanted to post a moving image for ages and this is a test run. This little fella was croaking away whilst I made him an additional pond next to the main pond. There are now 3 pools in this area, it's like waterworld. Sorry about the shakey camera and the zooming in and out, I was still getting used to my camera. I love blogger.com - so amazing.

Lichen wood bundle

Had some pieces of tree branch from a pruned Chinese tree of heaven which are covered in a variety of lichen. I tied them in a small bundle using wire and hung in a tree. Good for insects.

Frog spawn!

I arrived at the plot this morning to find a nice big gelatinous mass of frog spawn. I was so excited, it's my first, I'm so proud. It's been one year since I dug the pond and they're now breeding which is a very healthy sign. Lots of croaking and goings on in the water.

My dog Sky was very interested in the frog activity, couldn't take her eyes off it, like she was watching frogs porn (so sorry).

East Finchley Parakeets

I've been listening and watching these ring-necked parakeets flying across our allotments for months now but a walk in next door Coldfall Wood a little over a week ago and there they were all roosting in the trees. I know they're an exotic arrival but they've managed to adapt and survive here in London town quite successfully and I admire that.

Anyway I like the variety of explanations as to how they got here including that they escaped from Shepperton Studio during the filming of The African Queen in 1951 or they were accidentally released when the aviaries were damaged at London Zoo during the '87 storm. My favourite is that they were set free by Jimi Hendrix.

King Alfred's Cake

Years ago I collected some Ash logs, I was going to to use them for something or other, anyway they've just been placed around the plot strategically. They seem to have sprouted knobbly black balls otherwise known as King Alfred's Cake or Daldinia concentrica. Nice.

Ivy berries and Hellebores

The Ivy growing at the back of the plots is in full berry which is great bird food. Also flowering at the moment are the hellebores I put in last year.

Lime Hawkmoth

I found this beautiful specimen, on the 15th June, when clearing a bit of the undergrowth near the pond, couldn't believe how big it was, very slow moving, must have had a rude awakening in the middle of the day being woken up by my activities. Anyway I put if back in the shrubbery after taking its picture.

Had a little visitor

Found two frogs around the pond 15th April 07, very cute looking. One was a bit camera shy but this little fella stayed there for ages.