Monthly Archives: August 2018

“If I don’t get one today,” I said to R, as I was stomping out of the house with my arms full of gear, “that is it. I’m not going again.” He knows better than to believe me, of course. … Continued

I paid another visit to the lovely county of Shropshire today, and spent several hours exploring Carding Mill Valley. The weather wasn’t as good as the forecast had promised, and it was very busy with families and detached school children, … Continued

What could be better than your own barge, with a cosy, fleecy bed in the life ring at the prow? At least until some random woman walks past and sticks a huge lens in your face. R spotted this scene … Continued

I was very lucky that this Southern Hawker took a liking to me at Trench Wood this afternoon, because otherwise I fear I’d have been posting something far less attractive today. I’d already walked around Grafton Wood, where not only … Continued

I was in two minds whether to post a mono conversion today, or to show this grasshopper in her natural and rather stylish pink livery; in the end I’ve decided that she works quite well for the Mono Monday theme, … Continued

I know that the British are believed to be obsessed with the weather, and I hate conforming to stereotypes, but really – the weather seems to have gone mad. After several weeks of punishing heat and drought, we’ve apparently skipped … Continued

At least, I think that’s what it is. At first sight you could easily say “Mint moth” (Pyrausta aurata), but that just has a single gold spot and some other quite indistinct marks on the forewing, while P. purpuralis has … Continued

Snuffle, snuffle, snuffle… Cough, cough… Grumble, mutter, sniff…… I have a virus. The problem with this is that my immune system is – to quote the correct medical terminology – all to cock. This means that I don’t usually get … Continued

From dragons to snakes – you can’t say that I’m not… consistent. I was preparing to have another crack at Grafton Wood today – with a slightly heavy heart, because it’s not a site I especially like, and I’ve almost … Continued

We don’t usually play Blipsnap, even when we’ve been in the same place at the same time – but a few seconds ago I saw Hillyblips’ photo from today, and I’m pretty sure she’s posted the same Southern Hawker. We … Continued