Meadow Pipit
A first outing out on the Moors with my newly acquired 500mm f4 lens this Meadow Pipit popped up in front of me and posed nicely.
Have a great weekend.
Wheatear ♂️
I found a pair of Wheatear last evening on my local patch, in the same location as the Redstart, hopefully I’ll be able to find their nest site.
Stonechat ♂️
Nice to see a pair of Stonechat out on the Moor in bright conditions this week, the male showed nicely for me.
Firecrest
A surprise visitor to my garden just before Christmas, a first for me, not taken in the best of light but this shot shows off beautifully the white eyebrow that distinguishes it from a Goldcrest
Oystercatcher
An Oystercatcher amongst the rocks on Wembury beach last weekend
Peregrine (Explored 4 October 2017)
A very vocal Peregrine over Wembury Point last week
Yellowhammer
A lovely Yellowhammer out on the Moors back in August, the first time I’ve managed a close shot of this species.
Pied Flycatcher ♂️
I’m delighted that this shot of a male Pied Flycatcher, taken back in June, has been chosen along with another shot of a female Redstart in-flight for the Devon Birds exhibition at Torre Abbey, Torquay in October. If you’re in the area please pop in and have a look at all the great images on display.
Redstart ♀️ (Explored 8 June 2017)
A shot of the female Redstart a day after the young fledged. She was flitting between the hedgerows feeding the fledglings so I managed to hide close to a wall and get this frame filler!
Redstart ♂️ (Explored 24 September 2017)
A shot from back in May of the male Redstart I was watching up on the Moors.
Redstart ♂️ (Explored 26 May 2017)
The male Redstart flying in with food to the nest, won’t be too long before they fledge now!!
Jay
A Jay from back in May, flying over my garden
Redstart ♂️
I discovered a Redstart nesting site this week, in a telegraph pole of all places. I’ll be monitoring this over the coming days and hopefully see them fledge!!
Redstart (m)
I found a second pair of Redstarts on my local patch last week whilst out Cuckoo hunting. This male perched up in clear view hunting insects!
Redstart ♀️
The other half of the pair of Redstarts that I found last week.
Pied Wagtail (Explored 12 May 2017)
A shot taken on the Moors recently whilst looking for the Cuckoos.
Redstart (m)
After a couple of weeks of observing and some degree of patience I managed to get some shots of the beautiful male Redstart on the Moors. Cuckoos are my next target.
Dartford Warbler
Delighted to find and photograph my first Dartford Warbler out on the Moors this week, so good to see and hear in full song!
Treecreeper
A bird I’ve always found hard to get a clean shot of but finally caught this one, that frequents my garden, in the light!!
Golden Plover
Taken out on the Moors on Friday evening having had a tip-off about a flock of them, could only find this individual which allowed me fairly close to get a few half decent shots.
Skylark
Taken at the same location as the Golden Plover in my previous post, lovely to hear these singing again!
Stonechat
A very pleasant walk along the South West coastal path from Wembury yesterday, in almost Spring-like weather, I spotted a pair of Stonechats close to the path and was able to get very close to the male shown in this shot.
Stonechat (m)
A second shot from the weekend on a lovely Spring like day at Wembury along the south-west coastal path, both male and female showing well and the male up really close.
Black Redstart (male)
My second visit to Ford Park Cemetery in Plymouth last week, in search of the Black Redstarts, was a success. After walking around for an hour or two and after finding the female straight away I eventually tracked down this beautiful male, a first for me.
Marsh Tit
From a recent visit to Norsworthy Bridge, Burrator
Black Redstart (f)
A female Black Redstart taken in Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth yesterday, a first for me. Hoping to see the male too but no luck this time!
Coming in to land
Back to small birds in-flight, I finally got some decent light and got a few flight shots, not in my garden this time.
A Great Tit coming in to land on a rock at Norsworthy Bridge, Burrator
Stonechat take-off
The same bird as my previous post taking flight
Stonechat (Explored 9 January 2017)
Out and about on my local patch on the Moors this week I found a pair of Stonechats with some lovely golden early evening light. This is the male looking rather splendid with the dead bracken on the slope behind glowing in the setting sun.
Rock Pipit
On the shoreline at Hope Cove on the same day as the Desert Wheatear!
Desert Wheatear 2
As promised a second shot of the Desert Wheatear from the South Devon coast (still more to come)
Best viewed full screen!
Desert Wheatear
Another rare migrant bird in South Devon that’s attracted a lot of attention and been photographed by many people. I spent a very enjoyable hour with this super little bird on Tuesday morning on the beach and this is one of many shots I took (no apologies for posting more as I get them processed!!)
Unfortunately there is no guarantee that this solitary first winter bird will find it’s way back to warmer climes, let’s hope it does!
Desert Wheatear
A revisited shot of the Desert Wheatear on Thurlestone beach back at the end of November. The rowing boat made for a rather nice prop!!
Desert Wheatear 3 (Explored 6 December 2016)
A third shot of the Desert Wheatear from Thurlestone beach, South Devon. This is an uncropped image showing how close I was able to get to him!
Redwing on the wing
One of several hundred Redwing on my local patch a couple of weeks ago.
Buzzard
A low flyby over my garden last week before the rain came!
Dipper (Explored 18 November 2016)
Another shot of a Dipper on my local river in nice warm morning light
Grey Wagtail
I spent another morning at the river waiting for the Heron last week, a no show from him but did get close to this Grey Wagtail.
Lots of foam on the river too, apparently caused by surfactants from rotting twigs and leaves!
Down the hatch
A Redwing feeding on Hawthorn berries on my local patch this week.
Dipper reflected
Another shot from my local river whilst waiting for the Heron. Some nice Autumn tones reflected in the water, along with the Dipper!!
Grey Heron
Spotted this Heron on the river one morning last week and went back with my camera hoping to get some close-ups. I found him stood in this tree at distance briefly before he flew off. Hope to find some time to sit in waiting for him on the river when the weather’s a little kinder!!
Nuthatch
Another shot from Norsworthy Bridge, Burrator
Great Tit
A very pleasant walk on the Moors yesterday at Burrator Reservoir ended with a short session with the local bird life including this Great Tit posing nicely with a lovely Autumnal backdrop.
Nuthatch
A second shot from my visit to Norsworthy Bridge, Burrator Reservoir this week.
Coal Tit
A quick snap of a Coal Tit from my garden this week, more birds are starting to show now the temperature has dropped.
No posts for a few days now, hope to return with something different!
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Formation flying (Explored 10 October 2016)
Mute Swans on the River Tavy.
One of the easier birds to catch in flight but pleased to get this sharp at 1/500s.
Best viewed full screen.
Black-headed Gull
A 1st winter juvenile Black-headed Gull flying up the River Tavy
The Conductor
Staying with my current theme of Mute Swans on the River Tavy, here’s one stretching his wings, conducting the music 😉
Little Grebe
From Lopwell Dam on the River Tavy last weekend.
Well worth viewing full screen to appreciate the detail. Thanks for looking.
Little Grebe 2
Same location as my previous post but with a high key style!
Little Grebes
On the River Tavy at Lopwell Dam.
Common Sandpiper
Another from Lopwell Dam on the banks of the River Tavy. The Dam separates the tidal lower reaches of the river from the freshwater side and attracts waders to the saltmarshes.
Mute Swan
An early morning shot on the River Tavy. Back to the same location again in the morning to try and catch the Kingfishers!!
Cormorant
Another fly past whilst waiting for the Osprey at the weekend on the River Tavy
Little Egret
A fly past whilst I was waiting for the Osprey to show on the River Tavy yesterday
Osprey
Only a distant record shot but a first for me, not a bad week after seeing the LG Shrike too!
This individual has been spotted several times flying up and down the lower reaches of the River Tavy.
Lesser Grey Shrike 2
A second, closer shot of the Lesser Grey Shrike from yesterday. Not the best light or background but you get what you’re given, still a great bird to see!
Lesser Grey Shrike
This bird has caused quite a stir and a huge amount of interest amongst the birding community, a very infrequent and unexpected visitor to the South Coast.
Apologies if you’ve already seen lots of images of this. If you were there today then I hope you managed to get a good view of it. If you haven’t seen it yet and you’re in the area (Plymouth, Mount Batten) then it may still be around for a few days yet!
Oystercatcher
On the rocks at Mount Batten near where the Lesser Grey Shrike has been sighted
Little Egret
A LIttle Egret fishing on the River Tavy estuary at low tide.
Thought this was more effective in mono with the harsh backlight!
Undercarriage up
The same bird as yesterday after takeoff!
Chocks away (Explored 19 September 2016)
A Herring Gull taking flight from Wembury beach as the tide comes in
Scratching
A Herring Gull on Wembury beach having a good old scratch
It’s a long way from here
The last of the season’s Wheatears on the cliff edge at Wembury preparing to make the long journey to Africa for the winter.
Robin
Another from my garden, taken this week
Robin (Explored 21 October 2016)
I’ve not been able to get out much recently so here’s a Robin from my garden back in September
Wheatear
From my recent trip to Wembury, at least 10 of these sitting on the fence posts ready to make their long journey south.
Stonechat
Another one from my walk on the South West coastal path at Wembury
Wryneck (Explored 31 August 2016)
Spent a very pleasant couple of hours on the South West Coastal path from Wembury to the River Yealm estuary. The highlight of the walk was this Wryneck, a rare passage visitor to our shores and a life tick for me!!
Kestrel hovering
Another bird from my recent walk along the South West coastal path at Wembury
Willow Warbler
From my garden back in August
Wheatear (juv)
Out walking the dogs this week, spotted this juvenile Wheatear near the River Lyd, Dartmoor. Not long before this bird will be off on it’s first migration.
Jay (Explored 20 July 2016)
Another shot of one of my resident Jays
Great Spotted Woodpecker (juvenile)
Lots of juvenile birds in my garden at the moment including this GSW sporting a lovely bright red cap.
Wheatear (f)
A female Wheatear out on the Moors this week.
Whinchat (m)
A long range shot of the male Whinchat, the partner of the female posted yesterday. I tried to get closer but he kept circling me and landing just too far away to get a decent close-up
Whinchat (f)
A first for me, this female Whinchat allowed me to get quite close to her and posed really nicely. I had found a pair a few days before and hoped they would be in the same place when I went back, clearly nesting nearby.
Whinchat (f) II
Another take on the female Whinchat from this week near the River Lyd.
Grey Wagtail (j)
A juvenile Grey Wagtail on the River Lyd this week
Swifts
An attempt at capturing Swifts flying directly towards me from my garden. Amazed that the 7D II managed to track these at all considering their speed!
House Martin
A House Martin cruising over my garden
Swallow
A Swallow flying over my garden a couple of weeks ago.
Skylark
Not been out much this week so here’s a Skylark on the Moors from a couple of weeks back, skulking on a rock, sheltering from the wind
Stonechat (female)
Taken at the same time as the male out on the Moors this week.
Stonechat (male)
Stony up on the Moors yesterday, quite liked the moorland colours in the distant background
Cuckoo
A great day today out on my local patch, a total of three Cuckoos flying around, being chased by Meadow Pipits and occasionally landing close enough for a photo opportunity. I believe this is a female, please correct me if I’m wrong. I also apologise for posting more shots over the next day or two, just a little bit excited!!
Cuckoo in flight
Following yesterday’s first post of a Cuckoo on my local patch here’s one of many in-flight shots I got, again I think this is the female.
Cuckoo in flight 2
OK so it’s another shot of a Cuckoo but hey how often do you get to photograph them at close quarters!?
Cuckoo in flight 3
Another shot of one of the Cuckoos seen up on the Moors last week. Went out looking for them again but no sign of them this time.
Jay
Taken at the same location as the Pied Flycatcher in my previous post, this Jay made a fleeting visit very close to me (hence the cropped left foot).
Pied Flyctacher (m) (Explored 22 May 2016)
My first, albeit distant, shot of these little woodland birds. Saw both male and female, hope to get back to the location to get some closer shots.
Chiffchaff
A resident in my garden at the moment.
Wheatear (male)
Another take on the male Wheatear from my local patch sitting on a rock looking rather quizically at me. Finding it quite hard to get really close to the pair.
Wheatear (male)
Found another pair of Wheatears on my local patch this week. This is the male displaying nicely, not the best background so will be back to find them again.
Singing in the wind
A singing male Chaffinch taken this week up on the Moors whilst searching for the Wheatears. There was a cold wind blowing causing havoc with his hairdo!
Meadow Pipit
Taken up on High Down, Lydford with a Gorse in the background
Wheatear (female)
Another shot from High Down, Lydford
Skylark
A lovely morning out on the Moors on Tuesday this week, lots of bird activity with Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Stonechats and Wheatears.
Grey Wagtail
A Grey Wagtail paddling in the Brook on my local patch
Over the sea
A Buzzard taken this week at Wembury from the top of the cliffs looking towards the Mewstone.
Stonechat
Another shot from our recent visit to Wembury. Tried to get a little tighter on this Stonechat but was too close to the cliff edge so plumped for safety and a wider angle. The backdrop is the Yealm estuary,
Nuthatch on a rock
Taken at Norsworthy Bridge, Burrator Reservoir.
Marsh Tit
A Marsh Tit enjoying a Sunflower seed at Norsworthy Bridge, Burrator Reservoir
Nuthatch
A Nutty foraging on the ground at Norsworthy Bridge, Burrator Reservoir
Shelduck
Another attempt at High Key processing, this time a Shelduck on the Tavy estuary. I quite liked the trail of footprints left in the mud.
Treecreeper
A bird I always find tricky to get decent shots of, pleased to see this one in my garden again, hope to see him again.
Little Egret
Taken on the River Tavy near Bere Ferrers this Little Egret took off really close to me and I managed a couple of in focus full frame shots, albeit clipping his foot a little.
Winter Black-headed Gull
A Black-headed Gull in it’s winter plumage on the Tavy estuary
Close encounters of the feathered kind
A fly past from a Buzzard out and about on Dartmoor
Sentry duty
The same bird as my previous post, taken out on the Moors
Kestrel
Taken at Fernworthy Reservoir yesterday. A great site with two hides by the water, well worth a visit.
Quick, run, he’s got a camera
I need to improve my stealth tactics!!
Sitting in the rain
A Buzzard in the rain at Saltram House, Plymouth last Friday
Mandarin Drake
A very obliging Mandarin Drake on the pond at Saltram House.
Dartmoor Kestrel
I’ve seen this bird before hovering and hunting in Merrivale near LIttle Mis Tor and managed to get close enough for a few half decent shots on Christmas Eve. Planning to get back and find him/her again.
Wishing everyone a Happy 2016.
Dartmoor Kestrel hovering
The same bird as yesterday’s post, this time hovering, showing very tatty tail feathers.
Blue Tit
Shot last week in poor light but not raining for a change.
Thanks all for your comments and faves and wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas.
Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
Another recent shot in poor light and rain in my garden.
Thanks to everyone who takes the time to fave and comment on my images.
Autumn Goldfinch
Taken walking out on Dartmoor today
Blue Tit
Another from my garden.
Thanks to everyone for commenting and faving my images.
House Sparrow
A male House Sparrow from my garden this week
Nuthatch
Another recent shot from my new garden setup before the rain set in!
Thanks to everyone for your comments and faves on my previous upload and in advance on this one.
Curlew
A pair of Curlew in flight at Saltram on the Plym estuary
Trio of Oystercatchers
Taken at Saltram Park, Blaxton Meadow
Take off
A Cormorant taking off on the River Plym estuary at Saltram
Cormorant
The same bird as my previous image from the Plym estuary
Robin
My stream is looking a bit brown at the moment so here’s a Robin to brighten it up a bit!
Little Egret
Taken on the Plym estuary at Saltram
Male Stonechat
Taken in the dunes at Wembury, the beach makes a great background!
Buzzard
A low flyby over my house last week.
Chiffchaff
A surprise visitor to my garden last week.
Juvenile Bullfinch 2
Another shot of the juvenile, apologies for the unattractive perch!!
Juvenile Bullfinch
Nice to see this juvenile in my garden getting rather wet in the recent rain
Juvenile Robin
One of this year’s brood in my garden
Female Blackcap
A first for me in my garden this week. I was so surprised to see her I forgot to adjust my shutter speed, hence the high ISO!!
Juvenile Blue Tit
From a new setup in my garden
Juvenile Dipper
A species I intend to track down again this year. This is a shot from last July, not the best in terms of sharpness and noise but nice to see this youngster waiting to be fed.
Juvenile Dipper
Taken on the River Tavy in Tavistock
Swift by name swift by nature
After many failed attempts I managed to capture a head-on shot of a Swift in-flight!
Grey Wagtail fledgling
A fledgling Grey Wagtail, waiting patiently for his next meal, taken at Lydford Gorge National Trust this weekend.
Catching Flies
Following yesterday’s fledgling, here’s the adult Grey Wagtail catching flies to feed the youngsters Taken at Lydford Gorge National Trust.
Hobby
I was standing in my garden shooting Swallows and Martins when this appeared, at first I thought it was a Sparrowhawk and until I reviewed the image I didn’t realise it was in fact a Hobby. Pleased to get a half decent shot of him.
Swallow
One of my first attempts at a Swallow BIF shot, fast little beggers!!!
Shaken not stirred (Explored 14 May 2015)
Mr. Mallard again giving it a shake (intentional blur)!!
Mallard in the rain
Taken near Abbey Bridge on the River Tavy, Tavistock whilst waiting for the Dippers.
Goldcrest
Taken in my local woods
Goldcrest
Another angle on the Goldcrest from my local wood on the edge of Dartmoor
Grey Wagtail (Explored 3 May 2015)
On the River Tavy by Abbey Bridge, Tavistock obviously nest building nearby
Dipper
Following my Explored Grey Wagtail yesterday, thanks to all for faving and commenting and to those who followed me, here is the real reason for being under Abbey Bridge.
A pair of Dippers are nesting in the wall by Abbey Bridge in Tavistock. I spent a good hour watching and photographing them as they flew in and out of the nest with food for their young.
Male Wheatear
My first sighting and capture of Wheatears on the Moor below Arms Tor in the Lyd valley. Not the best light so hoping to get back again soon.
Red Kite
A lovely surprise to see this gorgeous bird at close quarters over the Lyd valley yesterday, a rare sight in Devon skies.
Wren on Gorse
Taken out on the Moors on the same day I saw the Red Kite in the Lyd Valley
Male Stonechat
Another shot from my day out on the Moors
Female Stonechat on Gorse
Taken out on the Moors on the same day I saw the Red Kite
ChiffChaff
Heard him calling and spotted him in a tree in my garden
Meadow Pipit
Taken out on the Moor yesterday
Dunnock on a post
From my garden
Stonechat (female)
Taken at the same time as my previous post of the male, this is the female, love having these so close to where I live, hope to get out again to get more shots!!
Stonechat (male)
I discovered 2 sites last week with Stonechats, the first time I’ve ever seen them, really chuffed to get several shots of the male and also the female (to follow). Forgive me for posting more than one shot of these great little birds!!!!!!
Buzzard
Hoping to get a closer in-flight shot of this Buzzard, but this was the best I could do! Back out again soon to hunt them down on the Moors.
Pied Wagtail
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Male Stonechat
Firstly a BIG thank you to everyone who have faved and commented on my first explored image of a female Stonechat, I was more than chuffed!!!
To celebrate I thought I’d post another shot of the male, trying to hide from me in the undergrowth.
Stonechat (male)
Taken on the Moors
Stonechat (female) (Explored 31 March 2015)
The partner to the male I posted earlier, hoping to get back to find them again soon when we get s clear morning!
Female Stonechat
I couldn’t resist posting another shot of the female Stonechat, taken out on the Moors mid-March, my first time seeing and photographing these little crackers!
Flight of the Skylark #1
From a morning out on the Moor a couple of weeks back, a sequence of three images of a Skylark descent.
Flight of the Skylark #3
From a morning out on the Moor a couple of weeks back, a sequence of three images of a Skylark descent.
Flight of the Skylark #2
From a morning out on the Moor a couple of weeks back, a sequence of three images of a Skylark descent.
Skylark
I had a great week out on the Moors last week, discovering and photographing some new species for me, the first being this Skylark on High Down near Lydford
House Sparrow (male)
A quick snap from my backdoor!!
Long-tailed Tit
Lots of opportunities recently to capture these little beauties in my garden, tricky to choose which shots to post so here’s the first of them, I liked the eye contact in this shot particularly.
Meadow Pipit in a meadow
A first time capture for me in a meadow near my house!
Grey Wagtail
My first decent shot of the Grey Wagtail taken on the River Tavy
Female Bullfinch
Finally managed a half decent shot of my resident female Bullfinch, still picking at the buds on my neighbour’s tree
Greenfinch
From my garden last week
Blue Tit
I haven’t posted a Blue Tit for a while so here’s one from the beginning of March
Chaffinch
Another from my garden, playing around with backlighting!!
Bullfinch (male)
Taken in my garden this week
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Taken in my garden last week
Long-tailed Tit
Can’t resist photographing and posting these little chaps
Cheeky Chaffinch
Sorted out my feeder and shooting position now, got the background I was after (Smeardon Down) in gorgeous evening light!!
Greenfinch (male)
Lots of these in my garden at the moment, nice to see they’re making a comeback. Caught this one in nice evening light, still playing around with the position of my feeder got a bit low so only had the evening sky as background!!
Long-tailed Tit
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Mistle Thrush landing
Taken in a field out on the Moors
Redwing
Lots of Redwing and Fieldfare in the fields near my house on the Moors, this is my first shot of one, high ISO but not too bad, hope to get out again over the weekend to get some better shots, light permitting!!
Male Bullfinch
My resident Bullfinch male appeared briefly this morning, not the best light or background but quite liked the pose!!!
Male Chaffinch
Taken in my Devon garden this week
Long-tailed Tit
From my garden at the weekend
Female Blackbird
From my Devon garden
Goldcrest
Just in time for this years RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch I finally managed to nail some shots of my resident Goldcrest!! Happy weekend to all
Goldcrest
Couldn’t resist posting a second shot of this little cutey, not as sharp as I would like and high ISO too, but not bad with the 7D Mark II.
Robin
Same branch different bird!!!
Long-tailed Tit on Corkscrew Hazel
My first post with my new Canon 7D Mark II and 100-400mm IS Mark II, loving the speed and sharpness of the camera/lens combo and the high ISO performance is impressive (this was shot at ISO 5000!!!)
Great Tit in the rain
From a rainy day last week in my Devon garden
Male Bullfinch
Finally got a half decent shot of this male in my garden, taken through my downstairs bathroom window. Hope to get the female too soon.
Long-tailed Tit
Time to get back to posting for 2015 so I thought I’d start the year as I finished with the old one with a LTT from my garden
Long-tailed Tit
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year
Nuthatch
My last post before Christmas, my favourite garden bird to finish off 2014. Wishing you all a fabulous Christmas and New Year and thanks for all your support during 2014.
Peek-a-boo
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Female Blackbird
A shot from my garden, I quite liked the bokeh with the sun shining through the wet shrubbery from behind
Greenfinch
Taken through my kitchen window
Robin
Another shot from my garden
Cormorant
I’ve been hoping to capture this Cormorant for some time now (since we moved to Devon). He/she is a regular visitor to the weir on the River Tavy in Tavistock and I finally got my chance on Saturday!!
Coal Tit
A regular visitor to the feeders in my garden
Acrobat
A Wren showing his acrobatic skills
Treecreeper
Taken in my garden this week
Dunnock in the hedgerow
Spotted in the hedgerow on a walk the other day
Little Egret
Taken at Lopwell Dam Nature Reserve. I watched him/her flying around for a while and was pleased to see him fly in to land near the weir which made an interesting background.
Robin
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Jackdaw
Taken in Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Blue Tit
Gradually getting back into shooting Birds after a seemingly long break, here’s a starter for 10 from my new garden setup (work in progress)
Nuthatch
Taken in Grenofen Woods, my new local patch
Heron flyby
Taken back in September flying over my new garden
Flyby
A Buzzard over my garden with a little out-of-focus friend in the background, a House Martin I think.
Long-tailed Tit
Long time, no post, here’s a Long-tailed Tit from my garden recently.
Nuthatch
One of my favourite garden birds to photograph
Great Spotted Woodpecker
One of 3 juvenile GSWs from my garden this summer, great to see them doing well