Hummingbird Hawk moth on Viper's Bugloss

Hummingbird Hawk moth on Viper's Bugloss (3), a photo by Lynmiranda on Flickr.

This was taken at Dancing Ledge, there was three of the lovely moths. So far I have seen four Hummingbird Hawk moths this year:)

Clouded Yellow butterfly

Clouded Yellow butterfly (2), a photo by Lynmiranda on Flickr.

This is the first time I have seen this butterfly. It is about the size of the Tortoiseshell butterfly and so easy to see when it flutters around.

The Beauty and The Beast

We went on our usual trip to the North, County Durham to stay for a week with my OH's father.  We visited the Teeside Nature Reserve, a very interesting area and gives me hope that nature, given the chance, can win.  The reserve is surrounded by very heavy industry including a nuclear powerstation, and plenty of wildlife are thriving in this area. It is worth a visit, the RSPB Saltholme nature reserve is also in this area, where you can get a nice cup of coffee:-) 

RSPB Saltholme Nature Reserve looking towards part of the heavy industry that surrounds the reserve.


Part of Teeside Nature Reserve with some of the heavy industry surrounding the reserve.


Beautiful orchids, there were loads of these orchids on the reserve, I am not sure what this orchid is.


A flock of Greylag Geese in front of Hartlepool Nuclear powerstation. 


Avocet in one of the lagoons on the Teeside Nature Reserve.  There were also Terns, they were too far away for me to get a good picture of them.


Common seals (I think) on the Tees estuary


A man walking his dog along the beach, walking towards some heaving industry belching out filthy smoke.


Common Blue butterfly, there were plenty of these butterflies on the reserves.