Starling Disputes

We still have at least two families of starlings disputing best position on our bird feeders. They can get very aggressive though so far no damage done to each other. Now trying to think how to disguise the back fence in the photos when zoomed out far enough to get all the action

Cambridge on a Sunny June Morning

Coe Fen and the River were still very quiet mid morning on Tuesday. Here a few images of people enjoying the area for recreation or just a quiet read or chat in the shade.

 

Starlings in Afternoon Light

We still have a least two starling families visiting our feeders. Here some images from a late afternoon session when the light is very contrasty. Not enough shutterspeed and/or depth of field in most but gives a feel of the very noisy arguments that ensure over the prize positions on the perches.

Lakenheath Bugs, Hoppers and Damsels

A few Shield Bugs, Leaf and Frog hoppers and Variable and Large Red Damselflies from our visit to Lakenheath.

Queen Anne's Lace Time

Cow parsley is in full bloom this weekend in Cambridgeshire. It is also known as Queen Anne’s Lace, though the name is used for several other plants, including wild carrot. My mother loved this flower and always used this name so it is fitting that my parents' memorial seat, which is a tribute to their love of Toft, should be surrounded by it. It was also known by Mothers Die - a name apparently to deter children from picking the similar poisonous Hemlock.

 

Lakenheath Spiders

Abundant Spider activity at Lakenheath on Friday - lots of Xysticus species (Crab spiders) taking all kinds of prey including another spider species Heliophanus. The dark Pardosa spiders were mostly carrying egg sacs though one pair appeared to be mating. Pisaura mirabilis often rest with legs all crumpled as if dead while there were several webs full of Araneus diadematus young