Moths.... July 2010

I have really enjoyed seeing the variety of species of moths in my garden of an evening, some have also stayed the night in my front porch giving me the chance to photograph them in daylight which is much easier. I find it quite challenging photographing moths that have landed on windows, flowers, frames etc at night. I take many photo's of the moths I find and it is pot luck whether I get a half decent image of them or not.lol!! My neighbours must wonder what an earth I am doing if they notice my camera flash going off late at night.lol!

Hurcott Pools & Wood Nature Reserve....31/07/2010

The last day of July had arrived and what a warm and sunny one it was! Hurcot N R turned out to be a good choice for an afternoon stroll. Butterflies and Burnet moths were in abundance on the Teasels and Thistles, Comma, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Small Copper, Common Blue not forgetting the Burnet moths which I believe were all Six-spot! Soldier Beetles where out in force...well they would be being soldiers! They were to be seen in great numbers, the majority of them mating! I have read that they have the nickname 'bonking beetles', very apt.lol! Crickets were heard and seen occasionally on the walk up the hill. The long grasses looked a picture as they swayed in the light breeze. Walking along a trodden path between them was a little weird as some were as tall if not taller than me. Not many birds to be seen though Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard x2, Linnets and 7 Mistle Thrush that were perched on one of the telegraph wires were great to see, especially so the Mistle Thrushes! A Dragonfly was darting above the vegetation, I believe it was a Brown Hawker...or maybe a Darter!

It was such a lovely afternoon weatherwise and to see so many butterflies and insects around the patches of wildflowers was a real pleasure.

It was one of those afternoons that you wish would not end. Days like today have been at a premium this summer.

Butterflies

The butterfly photo's were taken during the months of May, June and July 2010. Most were captured while out birding and the more common one's in my garden. In my dreams to get a Pearl-bordered fritillary or a Small Copper butterfly in my garden! I did get 2 Holly blue's during July though.lol!




Butterflies

Butterflies go fluttering by
On colored wings that catch the eye.
On wings of orange, and silvery blue,
On wings of golden yellow, too.
Butterflies float in the air,
Making their homes most anywhere:
The rainforest, field, and prairie land,
On mountaintops, and desert sand.
If winter brings the cold and snow,
To warmer climates, off they go!
Returning home the following spring,
Beautiful butterflies on the wing!

Author Unknown.

Hoverflies and Bees in my garden.

A Recipe for Summer

What is summer made of?
Of opening buds and flowers;
Of sunshine and of shadow,
And gracious little showers,
Of birds that in the tree-tops
Sing sweetly all the day;
Of buttercups and daisies,
And breath of new-mown hay.

Of butterflies that hover
O'er every fragrant rose;
Of bees that gather honey
Where the honeysuckle grows.
Of brooks that murmur softly,
And thro' the meadows glide:
Of shadows shifting gently
Adown the mountain-side.

Of rainbows after showers,
Of starlight nights so still;
Of moonbeams shimmering softly
O'er every brook and rill.
Of mornings dawning sweetly
O'er dew-wet grass and flowers,
Oh! summer time is only
A life of golden hours!

by: Mary Dow Brine (1816-1913)