The Big Turnout

Coinciding with the arrival of the scorching weather, we ordered a skip to clear out our large double garage as we are having it converted to a bedroom for ourselves. It may take quite a few days even if the weather cools a bit. If it stays this warm it will be a lot  longer! Murphy, now 17 years old, takes all such chnages in her stride.

Below a very hansome Shield Bug on a fall-down plum - interesting the difference in colouring between sunlight (left) and shade (right) lighting.

Colours at Silverstone

Silverstone Classic Cars

We spent the weekend at the Silverstone Classic Racing Festival. I hoped for some rain to add a bit of atmosphere and drama to the images but we got wall-to-wall sunshine. The late evening race for Endurance Group C cars gave the most interesting race images. Otherwise it was a good opportunity to try panning techniques. Images above are taken at 1/400, 1/200, 1/160, 1/80 and 1/30 seconds, respectively. 

Butterfly Count

As it was a lovely sunny morning,  Sadie, I and Millie took the opportunity to complete our Butterfly count in Toft Wood. We recorded 15 Marbled Whites, 10 Meadow Browns, 2 common Blues and 2 Ringlets. The other common species, Small Skipper, Small Heath (above) and Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet (above) are not on their list. Do take part if you have 15 mins to spare  ( http://www.bigbutterflycount.org/).
Sadie then decided it was time to go and tried to put Mille's lead back on. We now only have Millie as we had to let Ruby go about a month ago as she had too many uncomfortable lumps. Four of her six siblings have died already this year. They were 11and a half so not a bad age for large pedigree dogs. We hope Millie will be around a bit longer (11 in September)

Wicken and Burwash

 A warmer day brought out a few insects at Wicken Fen today and an Emperor Dragonfly at Burwash Manor. The butterfly is a Large Skipper - hook-shaped black ends to antennae.

Easton Lodge Garden

 We visited Easton lodge Gardens on their July Open day and enjoyed the 23 acres. The gardens date back over 400 years. Their most renowned owner was the Countess of Warwick, mistress of Edward VII. In 1902 she commissioned leading designer Harold Peto to create stunning formal gardens. Abandoned in 1950 after the demolition of the house the gardens were forgotten for nearly 45 years. In 1993 an ambitious restoration programme was started and is still progressing though very slowly. Today some areas were cordonned off because of Giant hogweed. There is a photocompetition for images taken today in the categories Hidden Treasures, Famil and Fun and Flowers and Flora. Above some Hidden Treasures. Below a flower or two and some family fun - took our own model!!

Fly,Beetles and Moths

 This evening's haul of insects from Toft Wood:- a very hairy Dung Fly, Scathophaga species,  and his shadow, mating soldier beetles, mating Narrow-bordered Five-Spot Burnet moths and Cinnabar moth.

Flies

A Scorpion Fly and pair of Thick-headed Flies mating from Toft Wood today.

On a Summer's Evening

 It felt like summer this evening in Cambridgeshire and the butterflies certainly responded. There were large numbers of Small Skipper (orange clubshaped antennae), Meadow Brown, Marbled White and Narrow-Bordered Five-Spot Burnet. It is the firsttime I had recorded Marbled White in Toft Wood.

Aggressive Starlings

 A family of starlings have taken over our bird feeder at the moment and, as well as fighting with each other, they also take on the larger beak of the Greater Spotted Woodpecker.

Canon 100 mm IS Macro

 Definitely the best macro system for me - fast enough focussing to use 'on the hunt' and the image stabilisation allows a small enough aperture for a good depth of field. Thanks Bryan for letting me try your two lenses - really helps when wanting a lens for a specific task.  The last fly is one I haven't consciously seen before - will put it on the Wildlife About Britain forum and get an ID. Also I do not know the small spider. WB Forum took 3 minutes for the reply - The Tephritidae fly, Platystoma seminationis.