Lumberjacks

The trees are disappearing. The old apple tree opposite was uprooted in a winter storm.

I used to spend the early mornings with a mug of tea watching the birds that perched on its branches. No more will I hear the tap of the eponymous Nutcracker at work.

And then the farmer next door cut down the huge old walnut tree. I hope it was time for it to go.

In a rut

Our neighbours, the Looslis, took us to their hut in the Justistal to experience the autumn red deer rut. We sat in the fading light surrounded by at least a score of roaring males. Unforgettable.

Bee vs wasp

In October my solitary bee hotel was visited by this ichneumonid wasp, probably Ephialtes manifestator. She is laying her eggs deep inside a solitary bee chamber, where they will hatch and feed on the bee larvae.

Ephialtes was the man who betrayed the '300' Greeks to the Persians at the battle of Thermopylae. I think she is unfairly named - she has no conscience.