We seem to have been visited by a weird and wonderful array of creatures over the past few days. This green lizard for instance. Someone told us to watch out for green lizards 'cos they're poisonous. Everything here seems to be poisonous. It seemed exceptionally friendly to me, as it scuttled along our wall - and, after all, we certainly won't be eating it.
Next a Scarab beetle came foraging along the terrace. It was enormous. And beautiful, just like something out of an Egyptian tomb. I was surprised to find it in France, and all these centuries later. It is also known as the Dung beetle, but it (sadly) was not rolling a little ball of dung in front of it; and now we have our super, efficient new septic tank (certified by SPANC) there's not much chance of finding dung around here.
This is another of the myriad of creatures attracted by the wild flowers in our field (probably poisonous too).
Lots and lots of (almost certainly poisonous) butterflies around at this time of year. Why do the tourists all come in August when there is so much more to see in May and June?
Given the size of its head, it must be a butterfly of very little brain, and this perhaps excuses this little beautiful (but, quite possibly, deceptively poisonous) butterfly for thinking G's brightly coloured toenail was some sort of exotic flower. Not much nectar to be found there, but it was very persistent (stupid).
Our Aliums are particularly popular with honey bees. This is probably a good thing as the poor honey bee seems to be under threat from every corner, from agricultural chemicals, diseases, parasites and now those devilish Asiatic hornets.
We still have bee orchids too. Very life like, but this particular variety looks like a bee has been high-jacked by a flying duck - perhaps it's a variation on the stork and baby story, a sort of "birds and bees" myth for bees.
The biggest of the orchids, the "lizard" orchid (Himantoglossum hircinum) are now out at last. I say at last because we have been avoiding mowing or treading on them for the last few months, as their large waxy leaves make an appearance quite early on in the year. Unfortunately, they seem to like one of our favourite spots in the garden, one of the few in the shade, which has effectively been out of bounds since they first started to emerge.
I'm not really sure why they are called "lizard" orchids. Perhaps it's something to do with the long twisty tongue-like protuberances they have.
The next creature to arrive was a most enormous CAT....................
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