This summer has been memorable for many things, including the heat and drought, but also for us the chance to spend precious time with Eleanor. We have already posted some of her photos from Holland, but the urge to use a phone camera has gripped her on other occasions too!

Flowers are always a big attraction, whether in the wild around Wivenhoe or in Colchester’s Meanwhile Garden…

… or in the parks and gardens we passed through on our never-ending searches for ice-creams!

And even when the flowers have finished, an attractive seed-head is fair game for her…

Flowers seem especially appealing when they come with insect adornments; in fact insects are always a favourite, whether or not a flower is involved!

Around Wivenhoe, Lime trees draw her in, to the foliage and fruits en masse or in close-up, but especially when the seeds fall and are sought out by her favourite Firebugs, one of the first creatures she learned the name of:

Leaves and light seem to catch her eye as patterns of light and shade, and she is starting to find fascination with forms and textures, whether light playing on the Wet Dock or an abstract detail from her hand-held fan that could almost be fungal.

As the holiday sadly (for us) ground to a close, so, suddenly, it was Ivy time. Time to become immersed in the opening flowers, bounteous buds and shapely leaves, and become entranced by the Ivy Bees and Hornet Hoverflies. When she discovers delight for herself, my pride is boundless!