After a very long, bleak winter, followed by a largely dreary spring, during which the flowers appeared to struggle to radiate, summer has finally arrived and has so far been perfect in Wiltshire. The rains have turbo charged the wildflowers, to the point that the newly familiar fields around me are barely recognisable — from low grass with a sprinkling of a few hardy flowers during winter and early spring, to waist-high cow parsley, blankets of blue and purple speedwell, oceans of yellow buttercups, carpets of bluebells and numerous species of wildflowers I’m discovering and identifying on an almost daily basis, as my dog and I traverse the Wessex countryside.
One flower, Lady’s Smock, I was able to identify without rushing to Google; it struck me that I have not thought about this flower since childhood and I marvelled at the way the human brain can squirrel information away. I have been really enjoying investigating the other flowers which I wasn’t able to identify, some of which are: Bush Vetch, Red Campion, Stitchwort and Ground Ivy — definitely worth a look online, if you’re fond of flowers.
As the flowers bloom, pollinating insects arrive. I have seen a number of different species of bumblebee, which is encouraging during these times of gloomy news about the environment and species becoming endangered. Also several varieties of butterfly, which are always a joy to watch — there is nothing much more thrilling than watching one slowly open and close its wings. As I sat observing a peacock butterfly, it reminded me of a closed antique book with brown, mottled covers which finally opened to a kaleidoscope of printed pictures, the reward for my patience.
This area is also home to some beautiful snails with shells like humbug sweets and others pale yellow. Then there are the liquorice-like slugs, jet black sliding this way and that. And delightful, miniature, bright green grasshoppers pinging impossibly high from plant to plant.
I have been disappointed by the absence of frogs in the pond where I am staying but delighted that it has turned out to be a popular watering hole for many species of birds. Mistle Thrushes, Bullfinches, Blackbirds, Chaffinches, Robins, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Goldfinches all drink from and bathe in the pond, which is wonderful to watch. Wood Pigeons are also partial to a pool and and make their presence known with some seismic waves!
This month I have chosen the following artworks from those currently available for sale on the Skylark Galleries online shop:
Gill Hickman
June 14, 2021
What a joy to read Amanda, thank you so much. Your descriptions are beautiful – I’d love to be waist-deep in cow parsley!!