Last sighting of summer?

Last sighting of summer?

The West Park turtle (or rather, the larger of the two turtles) sunning itself on a fallen  tree by the island. Seen in the middle of August, it what was likely to have been its last showing in that spot – it also has at least one other, less public, backing spot somewhere on the lake — before it headed deep into the mud until next spring.

Dangling elderberries

Dangling elderberries

Elderberries, looking like they are very near to being completely ripe, withing down the ends of the branches of the bush they were on.

Umbellifer gone to seed

Umbellifer gone to seed

The remains of plants of one of the taller umbellifer species, gone to seed. In this phase, the plants have an almost sculptural quality.

globe artichokes, Shottery

globe artichokes, Shottery

More from the garden of Anne Hathaway’s cottage, Shottery. Globe artichokes in flower, with glimpses of the thatched roof of the farmhouse in the background.

Bright red hollyhock, Shottery

Bright red hollyhock, Shottery

A bright red hollyhock flower in the garden of Anne Hathaway’s cottage in Shottery, one of the plants still in bloom early last month.