seed head – Jill Orme Photography

2 Jun 2026

Red

by JDO | posted in: Dragonflies, Invertebrates, Odonata, Warwickshire | 0

I had to take the car to Stratford this morning for its first MOT test (THREE YEARS??? How did that happen?!), and R elected to come with me, rather than staying at home through what was forecast to be a … Continued

12 Jul 2025

In existence

by JDO | posted in: Dragonflies, Family life, Invertebrates, Odonata, Worcestershire | 0

We took the Boy Wonder to Croome this morning, where he met my friend Richard, ate yet more ice cream, and discovered both the children’s playground and the woodland activity area. The former is currently a little disappointing because the … Continued

1 Aug 2024

Autumnal

by JDO | posted in: Bugs, Invertebrates, My garden, Worcestershire | 0

The weather and my mood were both a bit autumnal today, and in keeping with that I found a number of Shieldbug nymphs and Opiliones around the garden, but very little else. This Green Shieldbug nymph was nestling in a … Continued

23 Jul 2024

Conehead

by JDO | posted in: Crickets, Invertebrates, Orthoptera, Worcestershire | 0

A bit harsh, I think. OK, it is a bit cone-shaped, but I’m not sure it’s that much more pointy than the head of yesterday’s Meadow Grasshopper, and we’re certainly nowhere near Dan Ackroyd territory. But they didn’t ask me … Continued

19 Dec 2023

Shabby

by JDO | posted in: Seasonal | 0

I bought this wreath about a decade ago, in a fit of – I’m not sure quite what, really, because I’ve never been a fan of glitter. I’m also not a fan of throwing things out when they’re still serviceable … Continued

30 Jul 2023

Gaudy

by JDO | posted in: Bugs, Invertebrates, My garden, Worcestershire | 0

We’ve reached the point in the summer when the wild flower patches in the garden are beginning to run to seed, and some of them appear to be seeding Woundwort Shieldbug nymphs. This herb robert is growing through a clump … Continued

27 Aug 2022

Tolerant

by JDO | posted in: Dragonflies, Invertebrates, Odonata, Worcestershire | 0

Every year I try to make myself love Grafton Wood, but I’ve never managed it yet. It’s a flagship reserve for the local branch of Butterfly Conservation, having breeding populations of both Purple and Brown Hairstreaks, along with Wood White, … Continued

13 Aug 2021

Happy homecoming

by JDO | posted in: Dragonflies, Invertebrates, My garden, Odonata, Worcestershire | 0

R and I were back at home before midday, and after a couple of hours of unpacking and putting things away I wandered out into the garden to see what might be about. Almost immediately I managed to put to … Continued

7 Jul 2021

Revealed

by JDO | posted in: Damselflies, Invertebrates, My garden, Odonata, Worcestershire | 0

A steady stream of Large Red Damselflies, plus a few Azures and Blue-tails, are still emerging from our patio pond. In the case of the Large Reds this ongoing emergence is now somewhat out of its normal season: this is … Continued

7 Jan 2021

Frost and rime

by JDO | posted in: Flowers and plants, My garden, Wild animals, Worcestershire | 0

Frozen grass for breakfast, anyone? R and I had tickets for an early Charlecote walk this morning, but the day dawned cold, dark, and foggy, the temperature was sub-zero, and the prospect wasn’t wholly enticing. However, having hauled ourselves reluctantly … Continued