Blackbird on Rooftop - July 2019

My photo shoot in dad's garden started with beautiful blue skies this week, and temperatures that were befitting of a summer's day.

I was very pleased to be greeted by this female Blackbird (Turdus merula) who was on the lookout for food for her juvenile offspring.

Juvenile Starling - July 2019

There were quite a few parental avians around, all competing for food sources to feed their youngsters. This young Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) was one of many hanging around waiting to be fed.

House Sparrow Pair - July 2019

Some birds were working in pairs to hunt down sustenance for their little ones, like this pair of House Sparrows (Passer domesticus).

Goldfinch and Friends - July 2019

I didn't spot any Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) juveniles, but there were some adolescent Starlings hanging around, old enough to collect food for themselves, like the one at the top of this tree.

Gatekeeper Butterfly - July 2019

As the morning went on, the clouds rolled in, and blue skies turned to grey. That was the perfect cue for me to change lenses and do some macro photography. This Gatekeeper Butterfly (Pyronia tithonus) was the first one I'd seen this year, and was enjoying the warm weather perched in a garden hedge.

Carder Bee on Sweet Pea - July 2019

There were quite a few Common Carder Bees (Bombus pascuorum) enjoying the delights of the Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) blooms.

Leaf Cutter Bee - July 2019

Meanwhile the Leaf Cutter Bees (Megachile) were enjoying the Sweet Pea flower stems. This one was readying itself to cut its distinctive semi-circular holes into the leaf.

Star Jasmine - July 2019

New flowers to the garden this week included the fantastic looking Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)...

Begonia Centre - July 2019

...some bright red Begonias, with wonderful yellow centres...

Verbena - July 2019

...and the return of the Verbena (Verbena bonariensis) 'Buenos Aires' blooms.

First Bramble - July 2019

Finally, the first Bramble (Rubus fruticosus) fruits of the season had arrived, and would be welcomed by bird and insect life alike.

So this week I went with Blackbird on Rooftop as my Image of the Week simply because I liked the twinkle in the Blackbird's eye...