I always enjoy a visit to Lacock. Walking through the lovely  abbey grounds  there’s often the chance to spot wildlife. Visitors will most likely be greeted by one of the resident cats, at some point. One popular spot is in the greenhouse next to the botanic garden. This is my first port of call. I love the botanic garden – to see the changes to the border across the seasons.

Look up in the greenhouse & you’ll see nets high above your head – to deter early pickings! Here there is an amazing grape vine that crops well. Visit at the right time & you’ll discover  grapes provided for taster sessions.

Further on we stumbled across one of the cats – this one managed to find a quiet spot off the main path.

Our walk took us close to neighbouring fields & here on the gate  was a little bird. It was only as he moved that I noticed him, so well did he blend into the background. I didn’t want to move towards him & frighten him away, so chanced getting a clear shot of him.Thank goodness for zoom lenses & digital that allows lots of images! Some were too blurry to make out my little bird, but I am childishly pleased with this shot! It shows him quite well….

So what is he? While I was trying to photograph him another bird also popped onto the gate. A robin. So maybe this is a young robin? The wing mark is very distinctive – it’s not a robin. Back home I researched him further, could it be..? No, that’s wishful thinking. I believe my cute little bird is a spotted flycatcher. While I watched he darted off his perch, returning to another spot further along the bar of the gate. My visit was special if only for spotting this gorgeous little bird. If only I had my I Spy book of birds from my childhood! I wonder how many points he would have earned?

I also enjoy wandering around the abbey grounds for the colour, and right now the rose garden is a special place to be. Okay so the weather’s not been kind to roses this summer, but this newly planted area is beginning to take shape. I’m fortunate to live close enough to return & watch the garden develop, compare the condition of roses here to my own garden! Lovely to spot a Munstead Wood rose, but sadly it’s taking a well earned rest from flowering. But I did find this gem…

I love the colour of this. The bloom is just perfect & I like the way the buds are full, red showing little sign of the gorgeous shade of the flower that will burst open.

I saw a photo a few days ago from NT Stourhead of a Tulip tree. Here  in the courtyard there is a huge tree with just a few flowers remaining. This one was quite high up, especially for someone like me at a smidge under 5′! But I’m really pleased with this shot. It shows the petals clearly, thick & waxy & despite the creamy white shade there’s no real sign of the petals being “browned off”! It is also fitting that it’s at Lacock, the home of photography, that I achieved some decent shots to share.

I return to this place many times. I will be back to see the botanic garden border in all its fiery glory when summer burns away to leave an autumn glow.