Paxton Safari

A very pleasant morning spent at Paxton with Jo yesterday seeing what was lurking in the vegetation and, as usual, the number of insects was outstanding including this Musk Beetle, Banded Demoiselles, Migrant Hawkers, Common and Ruddy Darters, Brown Chinamark Moth (only moth where larvae are completely aquatic), numerous fly species and Wasps but also a Grass  Snake and White-lipped Snail. The images were taken with two extremes of focal length for 'macro' - 23mm with Supplementary lens (eg beetle) and 450mm telephoto (demoiselle etc!).

 

White-Legged Damselflies and Friends

 We made a visit to Willington to photograph the White-legged Damselflies and Banded Demoiselles. It was a bit breezy and generally the Damsels did not want to arrange themselves well but enjoyed a session standing in the stream with these wonderful insects all around me.

Paxton Butterfly and Dragonfly Survey

Last year we found a single Grizzled Skipper on the equivalent survey, this year more than 10 so there is definitely a breeding colony. We also located one very early Green-Eyed (Norfolk) Hawker, a Scarce Chaser along with the Four-Spot Chasers, a Hairy Dragonfly, four species of 'Blue' Damselflies and also Banded Demoiselles.

Willington Insects

 There is always a good variety of insects at Willington and Friday was no exception with lots of banded Demoiselles, White-legged Damselflies, Gall flies. Pond Skaters and butterflies

Fen Dayton Pits RSPB

The morning started overcast which gave lots of opportunites for closeups of the damselflies and other insects. The soldier beetle in the hogweed head was a missed opportunity in that it required a greater depth of field than the light conditions permitted or a focus stack but I still like the colours and shapes created and I am amazed at the length of the Tree Bumblebee's tongue