...gone tomorrow

This is a companion piece to my shot of the newly flowering Camellia less than two weeks ago.  The first of many blooms has now fallen, but the shrub itself is putting on a very fine show, where it sits beside our little pond.

The pond itself has been a hot bed (that's a hot water bed in this case) of  mallard love making over the last week or so.  Mr and Mrs Duck have been visiting regularly and doing what comes naturally at this time of year.  No wonder that the camellia is loosing its blooms!  I've spared you any photos of the ducks in flagrante - I wouldn't want the fantastic four to have to intervene after all the good work they have done ;-)