Bodnant Sunday

A late breakfast in the garden is followed by a trip to Bodnant - a rare treat for Daniel and Solveig, though we’re regular visitors. 

It’s strange to be there on a busy Sunday when our recent visits have been on quiet Wednesday nights, but people watching adds an interesting dimension! 

We’re blessed with warm August sunshine, and the gardens are looking glorious despite the harsh conditions of the summer - though inevitably there’s that end of summer feel to many plants. 

We spend some time watching moorhens pottering about the Far End lake - by now almost completely covered in vegetation. Late chicks follow the adults, attempting to copy them in grazing on the weed, but eventually cheeping loudly until they’re fed. 

The kingfishers are nowhere to be seen, but I’m thrilled to photograph a grey wagtail and my first ever sighting of a dipper - even though neither makes it onto blip today. And having failed to even see any dragonflies or butterflies beyond small whites all summer, I manage photographs of both a small tortoiseshell and common darter. 

Back from Bodnant, there’s an afternoon of reading before a barbecue - I can’t believe the weather’s held. And then it’s time for them to leave - a brief but oh so welcome visit. And at least they’re only just over an hour away - we’ll see them soon. 

Thanks so much for your interest in yesterday’s beach work blips - I’ll probably update you on progress over the next week or two as work moves towards completion. 

I’m torn between butterfly and darter for my main, but in the end the latter wins, with other shots in extras.