Hereford Cathedral

We are staying in Hereford for a few days and took the opportunity to visit the Cathedral yesterday afternoon. It dates from the Norman period with additions and alterations through the centuries. The first is a panorama of 9 shots to show the Lady chapel. The main nave and transepts show many original round Norman arches. From the outside it is a very solid and square red stone building.

Another Day and Another Beach at Southwold

On Wednesday, we spent some hours on the wilder beach at the Hatbour end of Southwold. Again a beautiful day with sunshine but a cooling breeze - good for kite flying. Meredith, reflection and shadow enjoyed the surf and even a few Blue butterflies among the Sea Holly. 

 

Perfect Summer's day at Southwold

We got on the beach early on Monday morning with an almost cloudless blue sky. first panorama is 16 shots merged in Lightroom. Loved the coordinated Beach Hut owner. I am not sure whether I prefer the very short or very tall version of myself (fun on the pier)

 On the Sunday, we went to BeWilderwood near Wroxham. although it looked a fabulous adventure playground for kids with lots of confidence on highwalkways and slides, there was as much of the Fantasy theme our Sadie and Meredith would have liked - the first part with the boat ride through the Swamps and past the Grubbles home was enjoyed very much.

Paxton Pits Autumn Colours

We visited Paxton Pits hoping to photograph insects but there were very few around at all. The Common Darter, however, obligingly sat on a blackberry for some time and was so well camouflaged it was difficult to spot if you took your eye off it. Aso starring Common Blue Butterfly and CB Damselfly plus a yellow 22-Spot Ladybird.

Bee-wolf Wasp Behaviour

The Bee-wolf  Wasp males (second image) are smaller than the females (first image), have yellower and more prominent face markings and are overall darker normally. 

The females normally fly with the bee tucked neatly under their body but occasionally drop the prey and then may fly with the prey dangling. The bee is taken into the burrow and a single egg laid on the prey. The female and later the wasp larva spread bacteria on the prey that will protect against fungal infections destroying the wasp larva food.

The final image is the Red-Banded Wasp with a moth caterpillar.

Time to Harvest

The wheat and barley are both now ready for harvest in the fields around Toft, Cambridgeshire. 

The sky was changing all the time - perfect for some monochrome harvest images from my favourite walk today.