Monthly Archives: July 2018

Tired after yesterday’s long day out in London, I struggled to get moving this morning. But if there’s one thing that’s guaranteed to get me walking, it’s the thought of a butterfly I haven’t yet photographed this year, and I … Continued

R and I hadn’t planned to be standing on The Mall at lunch time today, as a hundred aircraft staged a fly-past over Buckingham Palace to mark the centenary of the formation of the RAF – in fact, we hadn’t … Continued

This is not the first Peacock I’ve blipped this year – that would be this one, nearly three months ago – but whereas that was one that had overwintered, this is a member of this summer’s brood. The MX-5’s brakes … Continued

Some insects spend their entire lives being dismissed by people: What’s that butterfly? Oh – it’s only a Meadow Brown… Look – is that a Hairstreak? Oh, damn – it’s just a Ringlet… That bee looks interesting! Oh wait – … Continued

I have two offerings for you this evening – well, two plus three, really – all from an early walk this morning around Oversley Wood. My main image is a lovely fresh female Silver-washed Fritillary, nectaring on bramble in quite … Continued

I couldn’t resist another early trip to Oversley Wood this morning, and had the enjoyable experience of walking the circuit with a couple of other butterflyers. Many eyes making light work – or something like that – we were able … Continued

Today I walked once round Trench Wood, and twice round Oversley – it seemed like a good idea at the time, but now I feel as though I’ve been run over by a tank. Still, 15,000 steps… I had two … Continued

Having reached an accommodation with the dealership last week about what needed to happen to the brakes on the MX-5, and how much I was going to pay for the work, I took the car over to them this morning … Continued

I took another trip to Trench Wood this morning, in search of hairstreak butterflies. Random Stranger: “That’s a ferocious set of optics you’ve got there.” JDO: “Umm… yes.” Random Stranger (ethusiastically): “So what are you after with that, then?” JDO: … Continued

Today was one of those bitty days: a bit of back processing, a (very tiny) bit of work, a bit of gardening (eeeurgh)… and quite a lot of messing about on Twitter, speaking sharply to Boris Johnson, when I should … Continued