Another month ends and we are over half way through summer and indeed the year. These photographs were all taken in the grassland behind our home.
A Six-spot Burnet Moth feeding on the nectar of the poisonous Ragwort. Earlier in the year these plants are covered in the caterpillars of the Cinnabar Moth, which use the toxins in the leaves to protect themselves, as the caterpillars are then poisonous themselves. Unlike the Cinnabar Moth, the Six-spot Burnet Moth isn't reliant on just the Ragwort.
The grass is full of wild flowers including the attractive Greater Knapweed. As I walked though the tall grasses clouds of butterflies, mainly Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns, lifted up from feeding on these flowers.
In the hedgerows the fruits are swelling. Many are still green, but the odd blackberry is beginning to ripen.
The banks of the brook, that runs through the grassland, is bordered in swaths of Great Willowherb and Bullrushes.
The brook itself is teeming with small fish that dart into the shadows as soon as they spot you.
If you enlarge the photo you may just be able to discern a few fish - they are there, just very difficult to photograph with my "point and shoot" camera! :)
3 comments:
I just discovered your blog after clicking "Next Blog" at the top of mine. The photos of your flowers are gorgeous. I scrolled down quickly and love the mosaics of your flowers - especially the one with the cat in the middle. I'll be back to visit soon but must go to bed now as I get up at the crack of dawn (about 5 am)to feed my hungry diabetic cat and give her her insulin.
Lovely pictures and isn't the Summer flying by? I wish it would slow down a little!
Welcome Shelia, thank you visiting and leaving a comment. It is lovely to hear from you.
Hi Yarrow, good to hear from you also. Yes, summer is going too fast and where has the sunshine gone?!
Best wishes, Pj x
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