I love it when the children find something new and they are so excited to share it with me. Among the offerings today was this ladybird. After some research, I suspect that it is a Harlequin. I’ll be reporting the sighting. The Harlequin ladybirds are an invading ladybird that are endangering our native species.
Notice the dirty fingers and feet in the photo. They have a bath every night, but it is back to muddy as soon as breakfast is over. I like to view it as a healthy sign.
For a change of scene, we walked into the village to the play park. It was interesting to see the subtle changes in the hedgerows, along the lane, after a week. I noticed these flowers, which I have no idea what they are. Anyone else have an idea?
I’m beginning to think that has escaped from someone’s garden. Maybe another invader.
For once the celandines were open and I could take a photo. There are so many more flowers in just a week. There are great mounds of yellow flowers now as we walked along. TF, at 2 and three quarters, is able to name them, as well as daffodils, daisies and dandelions. He sounds like a miniture botanist as we go down the lane. I hope he retains an interest as he grows and I wonder what changes he will see in the hedgerows, in the years to come.
are the mystery flowers comfrey ? or some relation of it?
I love mucky kids (at the right moment of course..at the wrong moment I feel more like Mrs Tabitha Twitchit) I once left our two in the back yard for a while and was greeted at the back door by two totally nude mud monsters talk about plastered..I hasten to add they were younger then. I had to bath them outside in a plastic tub before they were fit for the bath inside. Actually it was a very funny and memorable sight :0)
Val – I wondered about comfrey, but the flowers seemed too long. I think you could be right and it is just a variety of comfrey that I’ve not seen before, being no expert. I shall go back and take another look.
As for mud, I find I have great sympathy for Mrs Tabitha Twitchit. I don’t really mind and I can’t help smiling. Hey, what are washing machines for!
Yes, my children are the same when it comes to dirt and baths. they get a good scrub before Nanna comes to visit.
Your house looks amazing!
Kerrie – I love the idea that you give them an extra scrub for their Nanna. I’m lucky that my three love baths as much as they love mud.
http://www.ukwildflowers.com/Web_pages/symphytum_orientale_white_comfrey.htm
I agree re the comfrey bit! Love the pictures.
Rattling On – Thanks for the link. Looks like the same plant. I’ve only seen one patch of it along the lane. I wonder if it will spread.