Large meadow mining bee
As soon as I looked at that sweet little face, I felt sure that I was making a new acquaintance. I thought he was probably a mining bee, but I couldn’t think of one with such extensive yellow facial markings, … Continued
Lazy wood fly
R and I were busy for quite a lot of today, not least in going out for lunch to celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary, so I didn’t find much time for photography. The weather was also unhelpfully overcast and windy … Continued
Wet spurge
It sounds like some kind of medical condition, doesn’t it? “Can you save her, Doctor?” “We’ll do our best, My Lord, but as I’m sure you know, wet spurge is insidious, and the damage may already be too great.” R … Continued
Birch sawfly
Another day, another new garden discovery. This wonderful beast is a birch sawfly, Cimbex femoratus, which at around 25mm is one of the largest and most spectacular sawflies we have in the UK. Our other two Cimbex species, C. connatus … Continued
Slender groundhopper
“Good grief!” I said, throwing my bum into reverse, and skidding to a halt. “Who on earth are you??” Carefully kneeling down next to the geraniums on which he was basking, I chatted away to him in a way that … Continued
Billy No-mates
For the past few days the garden has been full of green shieldbugs, resplendent in their breeding plumage, pairing up and having fun. Just a few singletons appear to have been left out of the festivities, and this unlucky chap … Continued