First peony

The peony buds have been fit to burst for a day or two now. This morning I spotted this one and nipped out to take a photo - in the rain.
It was good rain. Very light and gentle, just what the gardens needed and had gone by tea-time, so would please the gardeners too. Maybe the farmers would have like a bit more.

A busy day. I hope by the end of this week there will be less work so I can spend some time in the greenhouse. Everything is way past its time to move out into the flowerbeds.

Not one, but two short eared owls spotted on my drive home this evening. What beautiful, graceful birds. Such a delight to see. Apparently June and July are both good months to see them. At this time of year their young are at their most demanding and the parent birds will hunt during the daylight to keep them fed.