Autumn is here in this part of the world. The days noticeably shorten as we head to the autumn equinox and every living thing begins their preparations for winter.
The Golden Oriole, one of our brightly coloured summer migrants have left for their winter home. It is always a sign of the advancing seasons when our summer visitors start to depart.
An early morning saunter along the lanes and tracks around my home is, at this time of year, one of the best experiences you can have. It is cool, there is usually a light breeze and the sun is warm, but not yet hot.
Some plants appear without fail every year, others take a little coaxing. But that is all the fun of horticulture.
Summer is when the non-native species come into flower. Most native plants have already set seed and are going dormant
This is the time of year when it is just wonderful to wander through the olive groves. All the olives are in flower, but they do not give off any scent.
These are the seed heads of Wild Salisfy. They only last a day before setting off on their journey in the wind.
There is something magical about sunlight reflecting off newly fallen rain drops. Here on a Passionflower.
Another job this week has been removing and folding the shade netting which has surrounded the citrus trees since November. It left an almost weed free area under the trees.
As the seasons advance, so the flowers change. From the early spring varieties, to later annuals, like the scarlet Poppy.