Walk with a Camera

It was hot and most creatures were making the most of the heat and sun.  There were toadlets and froglets walking around in the thick, low, shaded vegetation, making photography impossible.  Butterflies on the other hand, were out and feeding on Saw-wort and Hemp Agrimony.  Some Hemp Agrimony, being taller than me made some interesting butterfly photos, but patience was rewarded with this Peacock Butterfly.

Speckled Wood butterflies were flying in every glade where there was sunshine.  This one looks a little battered.

Moth morning was interesting as the heat made the moths active, so again photographs were not easy to come by and lots of muttering as they flew off!  This little Chinese Character - that is his name - behaved so well.  It is some time since we last recorded this species.  And yes it does look like a bird dropping, to fool predators.

Another moth that co-operated was Pyrausta purpuralis.  This moth flies by day and night preferring dry grasslands and chalky downlands as its habitat.  The larvae feed on mint and Thyme.  Foxglove has mint.

A disturbance on the lake, so camera at full zoom to see what was going on.  Bath time for the Mallards.  The Moorhens seemed totally unconcerned, one in the water one preening on the tree.

Walking to the wetland hide involves eyes moving from side to side in case there are newts, dragonflies or Common LIzards around.  First lizard missed.  Second one photographed, but don't get too excited, as you have to peer through the vegetation to see the splodge behind, which is the juvenile Common Lizard.  Ah well keep trying!

Tip toes to the middle pond dipping platform and the thought that there was a brown mark above the apple was right.  More tip toes and yes there it was feeding away.  Photograph taken.

More in hope than anything else, walked very quietly along the boardwalk to be in a better position and amazingly the Water Vole kept eating, even though it was being buzzed by a Southern Hawker.

So a better photograph.  Once it had had its fill, it quietly slid off the platform and into the water.

Camera had a great walk!