Sardinia Day 3 -Lake Baratz, Capo Caccia and Borsa

A varied day visiting severl different habitats. Violet Dropwings were the commonest at the Lake. The Dainty Damselfly and the Red-eyed Damse; were new for the list as were male Long Skimmers. Great to see a distant flock of Bee Eaters. At the forest lunchbreak we were treated to a splendid Ant Lion and the impressive Two-tailed Pasha. The afternoon drive produced a very close Griffin /vulture from the van and lots of scenery, plants and insects/spiders.

Sardinia Day2 Asinara Island

Our first full day was spent on Asinara Island which used to hold a top security prison but since 1997 has been a designated Nature Reserve. The scenery is spectacular and hundreds of deserted buildings that would be a great location for general photography. However the wildlife was also good with two new bird species - Barbary Partridge and Cirl Bunting and a hummingbird Hawkmoth.  Several new Dragonflies - Banded Groundling (female), Dark Spreadwing, Lesser Emperor and Broad Scarlet. also excellent views of the Violet Dropwing male and female and Black-tailed Skimmers.

Sardinia Day 1 Platamona Lake

On a Naturetrek trip to Sardinia for dragonflies and our 2 hours at Platamona Lake produced a few new species for me. Images shown are Blue Chaser, Island Bluetail, Long Skimmer, Green-Eyed Hawker (Norfolk Hawker) and Violet Dropwing. Last image robber fly eating Red Damselfly

Twayblade Pollination and other Insects from Sunny Afternoon

Last year, I photographed a Sailor Beetle pollinating a Twayblade, so today visited a local clunch quarry to see what was out and what insects were about. Hundreds of Twayblades this year but fewer Man Orchids. First images show Sawfly visiting Twayblade flower and coming out with pollen sacs (pollinia) stuck to its head. It then travels to the next flowers and will pollinate these. The diamond-backed moth manages to get nectar from the flower without disturbing the pollen sacs. An amazing little picture-winged fly was visiting the Man Orchid but did not enter the flowers. Other images of insects that took my eye during the day include my favourite Speckled Bush Cricket young, two types of Bumblebee Hoverflies and two colourful Saw flies.

Family Portraits from a Wedding

Matt's sister got married yesterday so an excuse to take some family portraits as it seemed very strange to attend a wedding and not be the official photographer. Here a few where Sadie and Meredith were happy to pose or interacting with their other grandparents and their Aunt Lu and new Uncle Matt.