Today was the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures reaching 32 degrees. Okay, in Australian terms, this isn’t much but when you’re as acclimatized as we are, it’s sweltering. The worst thing is the humidity which was well into the 90% range. And I really hate the humidity.
Owing to Mirinda’s ridiculously stressful week, today was basically a day of rest. Apart from mowing the lawn, which I did, there wasn’t a lot of action in our house.
In fact, the most exciting thing that happened was watching a butterfly during my post mowing beer.
Hidden behind the leaves
We get a lot of the little white butterflies in our garden. They can often be seen defending their territory over the hot border and, lately, on the dogwood, so seeing this large colourful variety is quite rare.
This is a red admiral (Vanessa atalanta to give it it’s full, Latin name). It spent a lot of time resting and dancing on the butterfly bush (appropriately). It is a strong flyer and can migrate from Europe, across the channel, to the British Isles. It’s quite common, apparently.
The position of the afternoon sun made it tricky to get a good shot but I’m reasonably happy with this one.
Butterfly on the butterfly bush
We have been wondering what Dave (next door) was going to plant along the fence line, now that the hated hedge has gone. Mirinda was very happy when we saw that a few sunflowers have suddenly appeared, peeking over the fence. She was worried it would be something massive and invasive. It looks like we needn’t have worried.
Cheeky, peeking sunflower
And this is what a barking fox sounds like. Imagine it in the middle of the night with no other sound. Quite eerie.
Thank you Gary Charles and yes it does sound a bit creepy
love the butterfly’s and the sunflower.
love mum