Friday 26 July 2013

Backlog numero 2

So far behind! The last week or so has been filled with the usual dog walks, volunteering, pub work and catching up with friends. All time consuming, but lovely activities (well apart from working at the pub, which is anything but lovely!). Anyway I'm going to cut to the chase, here are some photos from last week and I'll narrate using the caption facility under each photo :)
18th July
What is this?! It resides on a tansy plant which has also been invaded by black fly that are being farmed by ants...

Usually I would try and ID hoverflies but I couldn't see it's pattern from above so I am clueless about this one!




Wild raspberry picking on a sunny afternoon walk. Bracken now stops every time we go past this point, waiting for his mid-walk fruity treat to be picked and fed to him. He has learnt (clever dog) that we have the same plant in the garden and often tries to pick them himself. Mum - not impressed!
Gatekeeper


Comma


His/her white comma mark clearly noticable!

Mad dog back to his usual self :)

Common mallow and poppies against the corn which is just turning and the local village church :)

 19th July


Agapanthus just emerging

Lilies ready to burst forth and bring beautiful sweet scents to our garden!

Last Friday (19th) I thought I'd take mum to Stalisfield where I had been situated for a fair bit of volling for KWT. We stopped off on route along the lovely road which passes through this gorgeous dappled woodland.


 
Fab view across the valley

Not sure of this flower? Anyone any idea?
I had also wanted to go with mum so she could see the broad bodied chasers that we saw near the ponds. We were disappointed that they seemed to have moved on. All was redeemed when we were surprised by a hare, who we had sadly disturbed. I forget how huge they are and how fast they run! Wonderful sight! We also saw a warbler of some description with some juveniles, however they weren't playing ball and I couldn't get a decent look. We also saw a marbled white butterfly which was a treat as the last one I saw was down at dungeness last year or the year before!

Anyway we headed back to the car and briefly hung around the ponds. No luck, then as we were just leaving a male broad bodied chased zoomed our way and perched on a twig in the hedges!! Great!! I didn't get a very good photo though so won't include it.

Nearly caught up now... the next post will be about the wonderful day I had on Sunday and the dragons that I saw on Monday!

14 comments:

  1. Your photos are all lovely, but I especially liked the mallow and poppies and corn one, and the view of that beautiful valley :-)

    I think (but am not certain) your pink flower might be common centaury. I have a brilliantly simple little wild flower book by New Holland which has a sheet you can pull out grouping common flowers by colour. It wasn't expensive so might be worth getting if you don't already have it and want one to take out and about.

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    1. Thanks CT :) I got the RSPB pocket guide to wild flowers from the library which is organised in colour. I looked common centaury up and I agree, must have missed it whilst flicking through before! I will certainly have a look for the one you mentioned online though :)

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  2. How lovely to have seen a hare-such beautiful creatures. Great images-I love the way you catch the light in them. Good you got to see the broad bodied chaser just before you left.

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    1. Thanks :) I got even better views when I was volunteering last Monday so actually have some photos for the next blog!

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  3. Great images Lou, Bracken makes me laugh but also brings some relief as I thought my dogs were the only one's who will stop to eat wild fruit, though mine prefer Blackberries:)

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    1. Haha Thanks Doug! It is always nice to know other dogs are as mad as our own!

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  4. Beautiful photos - sounds like you've seen some good wildlife recently especially the hare sighting :) Would agree with CT could be centaury. One of my wild flower books illustrates by colour and its very useful. Can't remember the publisher as its upstairs but worth looking out for field guide like that!

    I've checked now - its Wild Flowers by Colour by Marjorie Blamey (beautiful illustrations) published by Dorling Kindersley.

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    1. Thanks Ragged Robin :) I will check all of these books out. We have a colins one but I don't think I checked very carefully!

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  5. Marbled White! Amazing :) lovely photos again, sounds like you have one very clever but naughty dog on your hands ! Love the Comma and Gatekeeper
    Tom :)

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    1. Thanks Tom :) butterflies are such little gems of the insect world!

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  6. Beautiful photos. I love the wildflowers against the corn field and I'm glad to see Bracken has all his energy back. How wonderful to have seen a Hare and to see a Marbled White, too!

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  7. Nice set of pics Lou. I too am always playing catch up with postings. Blogging is a bit time consuming sometimes.
    Well done with the Broad-bodied Chaser, one of my favourites.

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    1. Thanks Phil! They take such a long time, because being a bit of a perfectionist I like everything to look nice before I publish it!

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