There is a gigantic food festival happening all around Bealtaine Cottage.
The partying has been going on around the clock for a few days now, with most of it taking place in and around this humble little, easy to grow plant…the Nasturtium!
Bees and Caterpillars are stocking up on the end of season glut, before the first frost descends, as surely it will this week!
Once the frost comes then the Nasturtiums will die off completely as they appear to melt in the extreme cold!
And, in the meantime, these beautiful Caterpillars eat their way to transformation, as Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies! 
The rain has fallen steadily for several days now, filling containers all over the gardens.
These shallow containers with rims, are essential for bees to drink from, as many die struggling to climb out from water barrels.
They are also quite beautiful, in that they pull the sky into them, creating magical light in dark areas of undergrowth, like here.
Whether on the ground or, as here, in trees, little areas of water are welcome feeding stations for small wildlife.
The season moves gently through the trees and shrubs, creating vibrancy of colour here and there.
This Virginia Creeper stays for much of the year, unnoticed, as it spreads its tendrils through the Rose Arch, only to dance out onto the stage as the curtain falls!
And likewise the Spindle bush…all plain and coy until Autumn gets it drunk on colour!
The days may be shorter, but they are packing in the entertainment!
Even the Lemon trees are coming up!
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Mirrors, whether created by glass or water, open one to other worlds, creating perspective – the threshold to the poetic mind and, even, Faery itself. Many blessings, Colette.
Reblogged this on Travels with Mary and commented:
Lovely photos and descriptions
Such lovely photos and descriptions. Thanks for sharing!
Reblogged this on Bealtaine Cottage and commented:
The days may be shorter, but they are packing in the entertainment!
Even the Lemon trees are coming up!
I have been away from my computer for a few days,and it is always a delight to stop by and see what is going on in Bealtaine Cottage…nasturtiums do melt after frost, you are so right:-)
I have only just been introduced to Bealtaine Cottage, and find it so inspiring what you have created. I’m so sad I can’t come and visit you! I would really like to create something along the same lines myself. Could you suggest where I can find the best information on how to do it – which books or people you would recommend. Blessings to you
Dear Jane, I really would not know where to begin in terms of reading books…though I can heartily recommend Permaculture Magazine…not that I can afford a subscription to it, but I do pick up the odd copy at Boot Fairs and Charity shops…all good sources of recycling! I have, however, posted over 600 blogs on Permaculture on this website and all for free! Also, posted over 100 videos on YouTube!
Help yourself!
Blessings from Bealtaine Cottage
Colette X
We still have not had a frost here in our section of New York State. I am still harvesting Calendula and nasturtium blossoms for teas and medicinals for the winter. I don’t imagine it will hold hot much longer. I am still harvesting rosehips and some of my herbs as well…but the days grow all too short I am afraid. Will look forward to sharing news with you this winter.
Blessings from NY,
Betty
Yes, indeed, Betty, the days grow short! I have just come in from the tunnel where I am continuing to harvest seed to post out from Bealtaine this winter.
Blessings to you X
Colette