Our Leaf Insects Have Matured

Two days ago our female (1-4,6) leaf insect and, about a week ago, the male (5,7) made their last moults and now have splendid wings. The female is also now quite plump so we are hoping for some egg laying - females will lay eggs without males present (parthenogenetic). They are stacks of 25 images at f8 stacked with Zerene stacker (no blemish removal in Zerene). I experimented a bit with lighting - all have an overhead lightbox and some have an led light from the front which has reduced the colour saturation. 

No Problem Keeping Social Distances

During our walk from Toft across to Caldecote, we only met one couple and with a beautiful sky, the larks singing and the oil seed rape coming into flower, it felt a long way from the corona virus crisis. The wild garden leading to the Church has some very fine cowslips, Snake's Head Fritillary and Snowflakes. We feel truly fortunate.

 

Insects Active in the Warmer Temperatures

Yesterday was the first day in my garden and on my local walk that I have recorded a significant number of insect species active from the mating Harlequin ladybird, ichmeumon wasp, Andrena solitary bee, Marmalade hoverfly, Bee fly, Juniper Shield bug (a new one for me), Large Red-tailed Bumblebee to the Hairy -footed Bee (a favourite)

 

Flora meets Ted

Yesterday was Ian's puppy Flora's first day allowed to mix with other dogs so Ted, Isla and Flora all met for some social intermixing while the humans maintained their social distancing. All was jovial interchange between the three dogs other than when a ball was involved! Flora discovered Ted's rope pull could fight back!

An Early Year for Pasque Flowers - Lockdown Start 23rd March

We took a walk across the heath today (our last outing in the car before lockdown was announced) to see the developmental state of the Pasque flowers and found many already in bloom. There are a lot more to come. The stems are short which makes pictorial shots more difficult and the lighting was very harsh but pleased with images 5 and 6.  No bees or flies active at the flowers - just a solitary tortoise butterfly.