Great Willowherb Seeds
Posted on August 18, 2022
The Great Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum) that stands tall on the riverbank of the Cerne as it flows past the village is now crowned with fluffy clouds of seeds bursting out of the long pods that follow the pink flowers.
Jersey Tiger Moth
Posted on August 17, 2022
When I went out after the first real rain in months, there was barely a thing on the wing, but a solitary and rather spectacular daytime-flying moth was flitting from stem to stem in the local nature area. It even landed briefly on me. It was a Jersey Tiger moth (Euplagia quadripunctaria) with its strikingly patterned black and white forewings, almost concealing the vivid vermilion hind wings with black markings. It was a rather tired specimen with torn wings, and perhaps that is why it stayed in position long enough for me to photograph, first feeding on wild marjoram and then resting on a grass seed head.
Speckled Wood
Posted on August 16, 2022
Speckled Wood butterfly (Pararge aegeria) seen yesterday on the path leading to the River Cerne in Charlton Down, Dorset..
Common Blue
Posted on July 28, 2022
I only caught a fleeting glimpse of two small butterflies with blue upper wings before one of them settled on a dry stalk and displayed the patterned underside of the wings at rest – probably more beautiful than the plain blue I was hoping to photograph. You can see the pale blue hairs on the body, and I love the black and white striped antennae. From what I did see I am guessing that this is a Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) although I think there is more than one species of blue in the nature area.
Views of the Nature Area 1
Posted on July 27, 2022
While flying insect pollinators are all a-buzz in the sunlight over the wild marjoram, there are still small quantities of yellow Ladies’ Bedstraw, Toadflax is beginning to open, as well as a few remaining Knapweeds available for nectar gathering. Many of the flowers on taller stemmed plants from a month ago are developing seeds now.
14 Spot Ladybird
Posted on July 25, 2022
The semi-enclosed garden area behind Olympic Park in Charlton Down, where Buddleias growing along the side of the path and clumps of lavender and rosemary attract so many bees and butterflies, has a new attraction for wildlife. A group of small hazel bushes are providing not only a surprising number of nuts but also resting places and food for lots of insects. It is always worth a look to see what is on the leaves – like this geometrically patterned yellow and black 14 Spot ladybird (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata).
Robin’s Pin Cushion
Posted on July 24, 2022
A Robin’s Pin Cushion, otherwise known as a Bedeguar Gall, is caused when a minute gall wasp (Diplolepis rosae of the Family Cynipidae) lays its eggs in a wild rose, usually in the leaves. The plant reacts in this characteristic way to the insertion of the egg, and the response it is thought to provide more food and a better environment in which the larvae can develop when the eggs hatch out. The rose itself still flourishes, and its survival is not affected by the formation of these galls. The dog rose on which I found these brightly coloured specimens is beside one of the wooden benches that are placed around the cricket pitch in the village.
Looking at Nature a Different Way
Posted on July 23, 2022
I get enormous pleasure from being out in Nature. It is always good to look at things close-up and find out what they are. I also enjoy the wider perspective of the countryside, looking at the different kinds of habitats, and the expansive panoramas of countryside and farmland around the village. Natural patterns and textures, the finer details seen when you take time to pause, care to examine, delight me just as much. I often see fascinating small-scale structures and patterns in natural objects whether they are animal, vegetable, or mineral, and find that these natural designs resonate with me on a certain aesthetic level. This includes the silhouettes of accidental patterns made by plants against the sky. They can be difficult to discern as you walk along because of the wealth and complexity of the plant associations, but it is possible to enhance the significant features by digitally changing the image.
Wild Marjoram
Posted on July 22, 2022
Pictures of the Wild Marjoram (Origanum vulgare) at the Charlton Down Nature Reserve yesterday with a couple of the many insect visitors greedily supping up the nectar.
Skipper Butterflies
Posted on July 21, 2022
At least I think they are. And perhaps Small Skippers (Thymelicus sylvestris)? They hold their wings in an odd way at rest – unlike any other butterflies I can think of.
GREENWOOD 