Neptune at Harwick Hall, County Durham

Neptune at Harwick Hall, County Durham, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

This was taken on Christmas Day, 2009. What a difference this Christmas is going to be, a very soggy one. I wish you all a very Happy Christmas:-)

Bumblebees in Winter!

I have posted some information about bees in winter from the Bee Conservation Society.  It is the Buff-tailed Bumblebee that continues to be active during the winter months, even when it is close to freezing temperatures or snow.

http://bumblebeeconservation.org/news/anthonys-blog/winter-active-bumblebees

Buff-tailed bee (19.12.13)

Buff-tailed bee (19.12.13), a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

This is the Buff-tailed bumblebee in my garden today. This bumblebee is still out and about through the winter, particularly if it is mild. This plant, the Mahonia is a great source of food for it during the winter months.

Red Dahlia and the Small Tortoiseshell

Red Dahlia and the Small Tortoiseshell, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

This was taken at East Holme Farm about a week ago. Their herbaceous borders are ablaze with colour and the red dahlias (they look like the Bishop Llandaff dahlia) was attracting the bees and the butterflies. Managed to capture this Small Tortoiseshell on the dahlia, making a very colourful picture:-) There is no doubt the Small Tortoiseshell has had a very good year, the best for a long time and let's hope it will continue to get better for them in the future:-)

Garden Cross spider

Garden Cross spider, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

This is another spider I found at Morden Bog, Garden Cross spider, a common species. Spiders are more visible at this time of year because they have become mature in size making them more noticeable. Walk along the hedgerow on a non windy, sunny day you will find them. I say non windy, it is not easy getting a good picture of a spider on it's web on a windy day. Another problem I encountered is that a lot of the spiders are on the wrong side of their web, it's geat when you find one on the right side, still tricky though, particularly when the spider is on gorse.

Four Spot Orb Weaver spider

Four Spot Orb Weaver spider, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

Taken at Morden Bog, close to where the Wasp spiders are.

Wasp Spider

Wasp Spider, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

Found this big lady today at Morden Bog. I think her web needs a little tidying up;-)

Wasp Spider with it's Mate or Potential Dinner, if he gets it wrong:-)

Wasp Spider with it's Mate or Potential Dinner, if he gets it wrong:-), a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

Found the Wasp Spiders at Morden Bog, found three, this one had a mate (poor chap)

Small Heath butterfly

Small Heath butterfly, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

There were quite a few of these fluttering around at Fontmell Down today along with the Chalkhills. No Adonis Blues yet. Small Heath butterflies like the Adonis Blues, have two generation in one summer. These Small Heaths are the second this year, the Adonis Blues second generation is yet to emerge.

Comma

Comma, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

Taken yesterday at Powerstock. Not seen many Commas this year, nor the Speckled wood either.

Red Admiral

Red Admiral, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

Taken at Powerstock nature reserve. There was plenty of Peacocks, Red Admirals and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies on this reserve. Where there is Hemp Agrimony, which is everywhere, and a sunny spot, you will find these butterflies. Hemp Agrimony is a plant that is a very good source food for our butterflies at this time of year. Also, at this reserve, I saw a few Clouded Yellows.

A Brimstone Butterfly in My Garden!

Brimstone butterfly, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

A fantastic day of butterflies in my garden today!!! This Brimstone was a surprise, it's a first time I've had this butterfly in my garden. My butterfly count today on my buddleias:

8 - Small Tortoiseshell
3 - Peacocks
2 - Silver-washed Fritillarys
1 - Red Admiral
1 - Brimstone
4 - Large Whites

Brimstone butterfly

Brimstone butterfly, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

I have not seen many of these this summer. This was taken at Martin Down.

Peacock butterfly

Peacock butterfly, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

So lovely to see again, the Peacock butterfly. I have not seen many of these this summer until I went to Martin Down where I counted nine.

Six Spot Burnet moth

Six Spot Burnet moth, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

We went for a walk from Durlston Country Park to Dancing Ledge. We saw plenty of bees, moths and butterflies on our way, all looking good, better than last year's summer.

Roe deer

Roe deer, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

My best capture of the day, a Roe deer in a meadow at Edmondsham. There was two, the first one I missed but got this one.

Field of Buttercups with the view of the Snake Walk

Field of Buttercups with the view of the Snake Walk, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

Had a lovely day at Glastonbury. Walked up the hill to the Tor. The Fields of buttercups in the sunshine look brilliant, the buttercups do seem to reflect the sunlight.

Sedge Warbler

Sedge Warbler, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

This is the first for me, a picture of a Sedge Warbler, taken along the River Stour on our way to Wimborne. Beautiful little bird to hear, its song is quite varied.

Marsh Fritillary

Marsh Fritillary, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

Another picture I managed to get of the Marsh Fritillary with its wings closed this time.

Marsh Fritillary

Marsh Fritillary, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

Here's another shot of this beautiful butterfly. I had to get down on my knees to get this and I had my Lumix camera, not easy to see what I was taking through the LCD screen, I was photographing virtually blind.

Marsh Fritillary

Marsh Fritillary, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

Had a lovely trip to Powerstock Nature Reserve. The Marsh Fritillarys are now out, managed to get some good pictures of them. The grass verges on the way to the nature reserve are fantastic at the moment, there is a wonderful mix of wildflowers; Bluebells, Red Campion, Cow Parsley, Buttercups and Wild Garlic. Saw a Hare crossing the road and also spotted a Weasel (or maybe a Stoat) and plenty of Yellow Hammers flying around along the hedgerows.

Holly Blue butterfly

Holly Blue butterfly, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

Went to Durlston Country Park, saw a few butterflies; two Common Blues, an Orange Tip, two Small Blues, possibly a Clouded Yellow and a two Large Whites.   This butterfly, the Holly Blue, was very obliging when I was taking pictures of it. 

Spring Gentian

Spring Gentian , a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

Spent a week up North, County Durham. This is a little jewel, the Spring Gentian, at Cow Green Reservoir on a very cold blustery day.

Bluebells, Looking Down the Hill

Bluebells, Looking Down the Hill, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

Here's another picture of the Bluebells, as far as the eye can see, the woodland floor is covered with Bluebells. Taken at Edmondsham.

Bluebells 2013

Bluebells 2013, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

This was taken yesterday in the woods at Edmondsham. The Bluebells are now at their best, their colour is intense, beautiful.

Red-tailed Bumblebee

Red-tailed Bumblebee, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

Taken at Kingston Lacy. The gardens are lovely, plenty of interest. The bees are attracted to this plant, the Pulmonaria, a good plant to have in your garden if you are interested in helping our bees.

Tawny Mining Bee

Tawny Mining Bee, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

I bought myself a Lumix DMC-TZ25 camera. I took this picture using the macro, it has been heavily cropped but the results are good, well pleased with the camera. I got it for my handbag so everywhere I go I have a camera with me and no missed opportunities, I hope:-) This is a Tawny Mining Bee, it is tiny and it does not sting.

Snowdrops

Snowdrops, a photo by Linda Yarrow on Flickr.

Snowdrops in my garden. These little beauties are like jewels in a crown, shining brightly despite what the weather has thrown at them. I have several in my garden and each year I add new ones. They are all flowering even those whose bulbs I accidentally dug up during the summer and replanted them else where in the garden.