The Butterfly Catcher...

We saw something today up at Chateau du Rivau which surprised us...

This fellow was sat in the undergrowth and was happy to pose for a few photographs... However he had other things on his mind as we observed...

This particular spot was a fluttering ground for large white butterflies and when one came in range, it was no more! He was having an afternoon snack... (No picy unfortunately, he was too quick)

Our presence disturbed the butterflies and hence his meal so he gave up and waddled off into the undergrowth never to be seen again...

The nearest thing we have seen to that is a Black Redstart chasing a butterfly in the garden. In that case it was unsuccessful.

Multistorey dwelling

We are not sure of the creature that produced this multistorey dwelling, it could be the dreaded Asian Hornet or perhaps the European hornet.  The linked articles provide good commentary on both.

But you have to admire the scale of the structure created from 'paper mache' made from chewed tree and plant material...

Interestingly the article says the nests in trees are often hidden by foliage, a fact I am well aware of!! When cutting a large beech hedge I used to have as a property boundary I sliced through a wasp nest with the hedge trimmers... The wasps were not to pleased and I received a couple of nasty stings... C'est la Vie...

That foam wasp nest destroyer is certainly good stuff!

The nest was on display at our local chateaux Chateaux Rivau but there was no description evident as to what it was.

The Pied Piper of the Egg Hunt

Yesterday at Chateau Rivau there was an organised egg hunt within the chateau gardens for which each child was charged the sum of €2. Unfortunately for my Grandchildren the hunt was 'complet' and had been for some time. It would have been difficult for them as the Pied Piper was only speaking french. They were not too disappointed as they had already done three egg hunts in the morning around our house and garden.

At the appointed time the Pied Piper appeared and rounded up the children...

He gave them many instructions...

Then separated them from the parents... This was no mean feat as I think the parents were expecting to take part as well...

Then off they all trotted to search for the eggs...

Whether children or eggs returned we do not know as we saw neither again...

Perhaps they are still searching...

Not many people will have seen one of these!

It is a very rare specimen photographed today in the trophy room at Chateau Rivau... The trophy was mounted in the nineteenth century... Maybe one of our regular readers can help with the latin name!!

All we can say is...

We just love the sense of humour with both of these...

We also thought they were taking the **** with this one...

Get the traps set!!!!