”Stop. Look. Listen. Doing those three things will help you discover the abundance of wildlife you have nearby.” I will follow Anne’s advice…
This summer we were fortunate enough to have a couple of Hummingbird Hawkmoths in our garden – guess if I was happy! An astonishing little creature that is not often found this high up north.
I love my bees and bumblebees of course, and since I planted even more flowers favourable to pollinators, they are increasing.
This little friend is a guest every summer, and while our plumtree was still alive, the hedgehogs feasted on the fallen fruit.
This Grass snake met a harsh destiny due to climate change. The sun warmed up too early and the snake was lured to wake up and venture out of its winter home. They go stiff when the cold returns, and there is no food either. I couldn’t do anything for him.
It is always a joy when this golden gem, the green rose chafer, visits my garden. Its flight is rather clumsy, but the sight of him is a true joy.
I am no spider enthusiast, but in a net of pearls it is OK with me.
This beautiful red kite was lying under a log in the forest. I don’t know how he got there, but they say this species often fight each other, so I guess that might have been his story. We took him to a gamekeeper, but he could not be saved. His wings were too damaged and he could not fly properly after a week, so he was unable to feed himself.
The nearest lake has its beautiful inhabitants, and of the mute swans there are several pairs. Cold winter mornings make them something extra.
”From squirrels to birds, wildlife is around us. What non-domestic animals live in your neighborhood or nearby?” Let us see your wildlife. Remember to link to Anne’s original post and use the Lens-Artist tag.
And, special thanks to Sophia for her interesting Exposure challenge. I hope you had fun with it – I certainly had! Next week we are pleased to tell you that our guest host is Jude of Cornwall in Colors. Visit her beautiful site for more inspiration.
Looking forward to seeing you – until then, stay kind and cool.
Leya 
That’s a great picture of the hawkmoth, Ann-Christine. They are so unique. Sorry to hear about the kite, but it was a beautiful bird.
Yes, I still think of him sometimes.
Wow – these shots are breathtaking!
Thank you
Gorgeous selection of photos!!
Thank you, Nora!
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A very beautiful set of images, as always. Love the Humm moth and the bee. Ahh… the net of pearl. So sad to read of the red kite…
Thank you, Amy.
Love the hedgehog! Sad story about the red kite.
Yes…he is cute, visited every day for some plum eating. The kite – I still think about him every time I pass the place where I found him.
Gorgeous images, AC. I love the swans and the spider, especially, but they are all memorable. The rescue of the red kite is amazing. It’s wonderful that you tried to help him. Your images are a visual delight and make me smile. 😀😀
Thank you so much, Patti! I wondered at first if I would be able to produce ”wild life”…I think I associated it with lions and tigers too much…
Very nice mix of nature’s creatures Anne-Christine. Love the shot of the swans in the mist. Well done 🙂
Thank you, that was a lovely morning.
You live in a rich part of the world: all the way from flowers and plum trees up the food chain to red kites, even so late in the year. Wonderful photos too. I like that you left in the two which died; nature does include death.
Thank you, and yes, many people avoid seeing that life and death are one. The only thing we know for certain in our life, is that we are going to die.
Oh, what beautiful photos! I can’t even pick a favorite 🙂 Thank you for sharing the stories, too, about the snake and red kite. So sad that they did not survive but you honor them with your photography.
Thank you, Marie. In fact, I still think of that kite whenever I walk where I once found him.
Ann-Christine, your photos are phenomenal for this week. My favorite for simply fun is the hedgehog and you swans for their beauty 😀
Thank you, Cee! He is really sweet, the little one, and the swans were sailing a beautiful morning.
Love the swans in the mist.
Thank you, Sherry.
Beautiful shots of the bee, green rose chafer and swans in particular! The hedgehog is really cute 🙂 Sad though that neither the snake nor red kite could be saved.
Thank you, Sarah. In fact I still think of that kite whenever I pass the place where I found him.
I am not a fan of spiders either, but that image is truly exquisite.
Glad to have shown you a nice spider!
Such beautiful images. You certainly do stop, look and listen. Such a shame about the snake and red kite.
Thank you, Jude. Yes, I still think of that kite whenever I walk past the place where I found him. I also wonder however he got there…
So sory about the red kite, but at least you tried to help him.
Have a nice day and many greets Leya.
Thank you, yes, I shed some tears for him, I did.
I love this post, which often has focus on the less-noticed and appreciated. Beautiful!
Thank you, Margaret. nature’s laws.
Gorgeous shots, the second one of the 🐝 bee was one of my favorites
Thank you, Ritva, that bee seems to be a favourite with many!
That’s so beautiful Leya! Hummingbird Hawkmoth – didn’t even know that something like that existed 😀!
They are very special – and rare in Sweden.
That was so not fair. First I gasped at the bee, then comes along a vast amount of hedgehog cuteness, a dripping spider and to finish beautiful swans in the mist. So good ❤
Thanks, Brian – I enjoyed this challenge when I realised I didn’t have to show off tigers or lions and such…
Love the hedgehog, who looks so happy to find an abundance of plums in your years. The exquisite artwork of the spider? A great capture. Hawkmoths for the win for me. I learned of them here in AZ. So fun to watch. I plant native evening primrose JUST for them.
Ah, you plant just for them, good! Glad you enjoyed my choices, Donna. I was so relieved realising little critters would do – I have no tigers aso
Wow Ann-Christine, some real stunners here. The kite of course is so very sad, but the hedgehog is adorable and the pearly web makes me want to run out after the next rainstorm seeking a similar subject. For me though, a tough decision for favorite is the bee on the flowers. That is imply exquisite. Beautiful work as always
Thank you, Tina – I liked this challenge once I realised little critters would fit in as well.
The little hedgehog is so cute. I love hedgehogs but I don’t think we have any here in Canada.
I love them. I do not know if you have them over there though, but think you would have met one or two in that case!
I remember them from when I was living I England.
Ah
Ann Christine, your critters are so cute. My favorite is the spider. What an awesome picture you took! I’m sorry the snake and red kite didn’t make it. But, that’s nature and there’s no changing it. Love that spider image.
Thank you, Anne! The spider is almost like a drop itself, isn’t it?
😊
So pretty
Thank you!
My pleasure
What a lovely way to end my day! Serene, with your swans.
The swans, yes – thank you, Jo.
🤗💗
Such pretty wildlife, not sure about the snake though!
I felt sorry for him…