Animals are such agreeable friends — they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.
~George Eliot
Diesel
Man’s Best Friend & Other Animals
Animals have these advantages over man: they never hear the clock strike, they die without any idea of death, they have no theologians to instruct them, their last moments are not disturbed by unwelcome and unpleasant ceremonies, their funerals cost them nothing, and no one starts lawsuits over their wills.
~Voltaire
An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.
~Martin Buber
It often happens that a man is more humanely related to a cat or dog than to any human being.
~Henry David Thoreau
Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to.
– Mark Twain
Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet.
~Colette
The kind man feeds his beast before sitting down to dinner.
~Hebrew Proverb
Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.
~Anatole France
“Will you walk into my parlour?” said the spider to the fly,—
“‘Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy.
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair;
And I have many curious things to show you when you’re there.”
“Oh no, no,” said the little fly; “to ask me is in vain;
For who goes up your winding stair can ne’er come down again.”
“I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?” said the spider to the fly.
“There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin;
And if you like to rest awhile, I’ll snugly tuck you in!”
“Oh no, no,” said the little fly; “for I’ve often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!”
Said the cunning spider to the fly—”Dear friend, what can I do
To prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you?
I have within my pantry good store of all that’s nice;
I’m sure you’re very welcome—will you please to take a slice?”
“Oh no, no,” said the little fly, “kind sir, that cannot be;
I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see.”
“Sweet creature,” said the spider, “you’re witty and you’re wise;
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I have a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,
If you’ll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.”
“I thank you, gentle sir,” she said, “for what you’re pleased to say,
And bidding you good-morning now, I’ll call another day.”
The spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly fly would soon come back again;
So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready, to dine upon the fly.
Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,—
“Come hither, hither, pretty fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple—there’s a crest upon your head!
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!”
Alas! alas! how very soon this silly little fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by.
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, her green and purple hue—
Thinking only of her crested head—poor foolish thing! At last,
Up jumped the cunning spider, and fiercely held her fast!
He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlour—but she ne’er came out again!
And now, dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you, ne’er give heed;
Unto an evil counsellor close heart, and ear, and eye.
And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly.
Ladybird, ladybird,
Fly away home,
Your house is on fire
And your children all gone;
All except one
And that’s little Ann,
And she has crept under
The warming pan.
Insect in your Garden: The Ladybird
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Ladybird has such a positive appeal and reputation that even superstitions have only good things to say about them. Apparently a ladybird landing on you will bring you good luck and you must make a wish immediately.
However, this summer, there were news that the British ladybirds were being eaten to extinction by a new voracious ladybird interlopers called the Harlequins. They eats aphids and unfortunately other lady birds as well.
Though they do not harm humans, these harlequin ladybirds apparently hibernate in the warmth of your house and they will build a nest inside the house during the winter. They leave gluey, sticky marks on curtains and wallpapers.
I do think that we have these harlequin ladybird in the garden this year as they are so many of these insect this year. As evidenced by Peter’s photos above, they are not shy, they are willing to pose for the camera.
Wildlife have been asking that people complete a survey about these ladybirds.
First seen in the UK in 2004, the harlequin is now the most populous species of ladybird. Feasts on aphids, other ladybirds, lacewings, hoverflies. Spreading at more than 100km a year, it is rapidly conquering the country.
Seven-spot ladybird
Goes into leaf litter over the winter months. Historically, the most populous species seen in gardens. Now the second most numerous species, with distribution remaining high.
Two-spot ladybird
Suffered dramatic decline since the arrival of the harlequin. A decade ago, it was the second most populous species, now not in the top ten of the 47 ladybird species in the UK. Feeds on aphids, shelters in people’s homes over winter months.
14-spot ladybird
This aphid-feeder yellow ladybird has square spots. A common species, which has seen a rise in numbers this year.
Kidney spot ladybird
This small, black ladybird with two red spots feeds on tiny insects. Often seen on deciduous trees, and hides in the cracks of deciduous trees over winter.
Orange ladybird
This ladybird feeds off mildew. Experiencing a huge distribution increase, thought to be because the warmer, wetter weather in the UK gives it more food.
Eyed ladybird
Britain’s biggest ladybird, feeds on aphids, most usually found on conifer trees or sheltering in leaf litter over winter.
LITTLE Robin Redbreast sat upon a tree,
Up went Pussy cat, and down went he;
Down came Pussy cat, and away Robin ran;
Says little Robin Redbreast, “Catch me if you can.”
Little Robin Redbreast jump’d upon a wall,
Pussy cat jump’d after him, and almost got a fall,
Little Robin chirp’d and sang, and what did Pussy say?
Pussy cat said “Mew,” and Robin jump’d away.
Robin Red-Breast in our Garden
Robin Red-Breast in our Garden
Photo by PH Morton
Robin Red-Breast in our Garden
Photo by PH Morton
Robin Red-Breast in our Garden
Photo by PH Morton
Robin Red-Breast in our Garden
Photo by PH Morton
robin
The songs of the birds and insects wordlessly transmit the law of the universe.
– Hong Zicheng
ALL ABOUT THE ROBIN
One of the first birds to return in the spring—migrates north early in March—sometimes remains during winter—stays north as late as October or November.
Domestic—generally preferring to live near the home of man.
Song—though short and always the same is in tone wonderfully expressive of happiness, love, anger, or fear, as the case may be.
Black head—wings and tail brown—touches of white on throat—entire breast a rusty red.—Female duller and paler in colouring, growing almost as bright as the male in the autumn.
Food—principally insects and worms—does not disdain fruit, berries, cherries, etc., but prefers insect food—a ravenous eater.
Nest—outer layer composed of sticks, coarse grasses, etc., seemingly rather carelessly arranged—on this the rather large round nest is woven with grasses—plastered with mud—lined with softer grasses.
Eggs—greenish blue—four in number—young have black spots on breast—generally two broods reared in a season—sometimes three.
Ladybirds are not only a good luck charm superstitiously but they are actually a beautiful and useful creatures to have around the garden especially amongst the rose bushes. Ladybirds or ladybugs as they are known in the Americas dine on aphids which themselves feast on rose buds.
There is a nursery rhyme that pertains to the lucky ladybirds.
