Damselflies and Life in the Spinach Patch

Yesterday saw the first Red Damselflies in any numbers in the garden, many newly emerged as in the 4th photo. The spinach bed is heaving with Shield bugs of various types, Flies and Solitary Bees. I am in the process of identifying all these. The Holly Blue butterfly is easier!

 

 

Fowlmere in Evening Light

As an antidote to a day spent indoors foe the EA Region RPS, I had a walk round Fowlmere in the evening. The usual species were around including Dabchick, Marsh Harrier, Reed Warbler and obliging Blackcap female. The Coot appeared to feed its youngster a closed mollusc - it managed to swallow it but wondered if its digestion would deal with this - any ideas? The ?Chinese Water deer was very frisky - charging around the area.

 

Wells -Next-The-Sea and Blakeney Point

On Wednesday, we met Chris at Wells Beach and walked along to Holkham for lunch and back - note the crowded beaches! In the afternoon, we took a boat trip out to the seals and terns. Three species of Tern had arrived during the past few days as the wind swung southerly, Common Tern, Little Tern and Sandwich Tern (Arctics not yet arrived)

Pensthorpe Ducks

The light was very clear on Monday so the Teal, Shoveller, Golden Eye, Tufted and Widgeon ducks looked extra smart.

Foxley Wood Bluebells and Orchids

I first visited Foxley Wood last year on May 8 - see Blog Entry. The condition of the flowers was pretty similar for this visit on May 3rd - perhaps the flowers are a bit further ahead this year.  Always difficult in sunny conditions to get the essence of the bluebell carpet (first image in-camera blur using a flower very close to lens to give a blue haze). The three orchids taken at f5, f7.1 and f20 with 24mm end of Fuji 10-24mm lens.