the sweet calm sunshine of September ...

" It was a morning of ground mist, yellow sunshine, and high rifts of blue, white-cloud-dappled sky.  The leaves were still thick on the trees, but de-spangled gossamer threads hung on the bushes and the shrill little cries of unrest of the swallows skimming the green open spaces of the park told of  autumn and change." ~ Flora Thompson" 

September has been a very productive month for me. I have worked hard in the garden with a feeling of racing against time; although, in truth, there is plenty of time to do everything - I just wanted to get it done while the weather was good, so much more pleasant working outside when it is a little warmer, rather than having to wrap up in coats and boots to get it all done.  I have planted every last bulb that I possess; those I saved from last year; those I bought this year; every piece of ground and every container has been put to use - if I don't get a good display in spring then something has gone seriously wrong.

Gardening for wildlife has had its rewards this last week; we have had visits from badgers (who very kindly left their deposits on the front lawn); a rat decided to gnaw its way through the base of the greenhouse; and a grass snake slithered in to say hello and slithered out again.  The swallows are still with us; although they have been gathering on the wires more frequently, so I sense they will soon be on their way.

Pansies have been planted to give a little colour to the containers over winter - these are called Autumn Fire, appropriately named I thought.

This little chap came down to the pond for a drink - a Willow Warbler; maybe, or a Chiff Chaff - the jury's out on that one.  When it flew off I noticed the underside of its feet were yellow - so pretty.

A juvenile woodpecker visited us too - I do feel so privileged that we have all this wildlife in the garden - we must be doing something right.

The leaves on the trees are still green and show no sign of falling yet, which I guess is due to the warm weather we are still having; although the nights are much chillier and the evenings drawing in much too fast.

 

But we have been compensated for this by beautiful sunrise and sunset.

And so another month has passed; one that I have enjoyed more than I can say; away from the tyranny of technology; I have seriously considered giving up this web space (again); although I feel I should apologise to those of you I haven't visited who have been so kind as to leave comments here - I am a bad, bad blogger.

Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn.
~ Elizabeth Lawrence.

Elaine