Magpie Mission - September 2019

It was another beautiful sunny day for my photo shoot in dad's garden this weekend, but it was definitely a lot chillier than it had been in recent weeks as summertime drew to a close.

Like last week, I began by pointing my lens skywards towards the avian population, and was very pleased to catch this Magpie (Pica pica) leaping from its perch amongst the branches of a nearby Silver Birch (Betula pendula) tree.

Leap of Faith - September 2019

The departing Magpie was soon followed by a Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) diving from the same tree into a garden below.

Family Gathering - September 2019

Over in another tree a couple of juvenile Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) were following an adult's every move, singing their tuneful song as they did so.

Young Herring Gull - September 2019

Overhead a young Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) soared through the bright blue sky...

A Stolen Moment - September 2019

...while an adult stood on a rooftop, deep in its own thoughts!

Heron Flypast - September 2019

Then a rare treat, as a Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) flew overhead, making quite a commotion with its huge wings.

Summer Jasmine - September 2019

Switching to floral subjects, it was quite nice to see the white Summer Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) blooms nicely contrasted with the beautiful blue of the sky.

Hairy Stems - September 2019

Although it was a welcome addition, I was quite surprised to see the hairy stems and blue blooms of this Borage (Borago officinalis) plant in the garden, as it certainly hadn't been planted intentionally.

Multiple Suns - September 2019

That was also the case with this magnificent Sunflower (Helianthus) plant that had presumably arrived from some spilled bird seed.

Bumblebee - September 2019

However it had arrived, the Bumblebees (Bombus) absolutely loved it, and it had been difficult to get a shot without one visiting!

Common Carder Bee - September 2019

Meanwhile, this Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) preferred the blooms of a Purple Toadflax (Linaria purpurea) flower.

Small White Butterfly - September 2019

Butterflies had been noticeable by their absence in dad's garden this year, however, there were quite a few Small Whites (Pieris rapae) flitting from flower to flower this week, with this one preferring to rest on a Conifer hedge.

Speckled Wood Face - September 2019

The Speckled Woods (Pararge aegeria) were also out in force, with this one taking up residence in a Holly (Ilex) bush.

So this week I went with Magpie Mission as my Image of the Week simply because I was pleased to have caught him jumping out of the tree, and I particularly liked the flash of green present in his wings...