Diamonds in the Rough
In late summer the heathland is buzzing with life, the heather is in bloom and attracts all sorts of butterflies, bees and hoverflies as well as damselflies and dragonflies…so it seemed a good idea to pay this small area of heathland a timely visit.
It was a perfect situation as I surveyed the territory, stepping carefully through the heather to capture what was possible…dragonfly reconnaissance kept a watchful eye on my movements while managing to avoid getting caught in the frame. 😉
Fat of the Land
This summer I’ve noticed quite a lot of small tortoiseshells flapping about, which is a relief, having heard reports of diminishing numbers due to several poor summers…
Fortunately this summer has exceeded everyones’ expectations of what a Northern European summer should be, usually it rains a lot with temperatures below normal….but this year it has been warm, dry and sunny…really, the last summer like this was exactly 10 years ago.
These photographs were taken on one of the hottest days…these thistles, dripping with nectar and full of pollen, were most popular with the bees, butterflies and hoverflies….as you can see. 😉
Lavender Days
Ten years ago, right next to the back door, I planted a couple of lavender plants…these days, although they have become a bit old and ragged they never fail to produce a multitude of flowers, rich in nectar which, in turn attract swarms of bees to entertain me as I soak in the hot afternoon sun.
In recent years we have unfortunately seen a decline in the number of bees which makes these “lavender days” even more special and joyful as I watch them for hours as they busily buzz from flower to flower…I marvel at their constant activity, I laugh when they occasionally fly into one another and just immerse myself in this fleeting moment where everything seems almost perfect.
a heartical view 