Autumn is definitely here

Not only are the leaves falling, but the blackberries are looking a bit shrivelled - never a good idea to collect them after 15th September which is when the devil spits on them and makes them bitter, according to legend!
The bees are still working when they can.  Of course, clover and balsam are still evident in fields and hedgerows but the surprise of the season to most people is IVY.  The beautiful flowers are now very evident and are attractive to all sorts of pollinating insects.

Ivy is everywhere - on trees, walls, fences.  It's fabulous for insects now that food is beginning to get scarce and with its shiny green leaves and beautiful flowers it is a real plant of Autumn.

It was difficult to get the leaves, bees and flowers to pose for this photograph so it's slightly out of focus but have a look at the worker bee on the right.  You can just make out the pollen baskets on its back legs with pollen the same colour as the ivy flowers.  This is where the pollen is raked into hairs on the back legs to form the distinctive kidney-shaped pellet that is taken back to the hive and used to feed the young brood.  There is a central hair that 'spears' the pellet and holds it securely so that it doesn't fall off.  When the worker bee transfers the pellet to a cell in the wax comb back at the hive, there is a little hole in the pellet where it was held on by this hair.  Isn't nature wonderful and efficient!