Small Wild Flowers

Two species of small wild flowers I found over the weekend.

Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) Annual

This is a very small and pretty flower measuring approximately 10 to 15mm in diameter. It is a low creeping plant that will only flower during the sunshine. It flowers between June and August and is found on cultivated ground. These were photographed on the edge of a field of Oilseed Rape. You wouldn't think so, but oddly enough the Scarlet Pimpernel is a member of the Primrose family Primulaceae.





Hedgerow Crane's-bill (Geranium pyrenaicum) Perennial

This is another quite small flower and grows to a height of 60cm. The flower head measures approximately 12 to 18mm in diameter. It flowers June to August on grassy areas. It is common in south and east England. It has the appearance of a small member of the Mallow family, but is in fact from the Geraniaceae family.

Dragonfly - (Broad-bodied Chaser)

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa)

The first sighting of the season for me of the smaller dragonfly species. I observed these dragonflies over a small pond in a wooded area. There were two males and two females.
The female shot was unclear because I had to contend with reeds in the way of the subject. The body colouring is representative though.

The Broad-bodied Chaser is common only in southern England. This species flies from May to August.

Male


Female

The Absent Blogger

I have scheduled several of my previous posts as I have been absent on cultural pursuits. The photographs below are a "give away" as to the location.

1/8 at f2.8 - 28mm ISO320

1/8 at f2.8 - 28mm ISO400

1/2 at f2.8 - 28mm ISO80

1/5 at f2.8 - 28mm ISO400

(The above images were taken with a Canon G10 handheld against the nearest convenient lamp post).

The Venus De Milo statue in the Louvre.
The Goddess of Love, created between 130 and 100 BC. A marble sculpture approximately 203 cm (6' 8") in height.

1/30 at f2.8 - 28mm ISO200

French birds of the feathered type are quite partial to croissants.



Au revoir et merci

Hunstanton Shoreline

I took this photograph back in April when the weather was generally better than at present.

Its the shoreline on the southern edge of the Wash at Hunstanton. I featured the area last year in my blog. It was nearing high tide and sunset when I took it.

1/640 at f4. - 28mm. ISO 80

Columbine

Columbine (Aquilega vulgaris) Perennial.

I found this native plant in the same area of a wood as last year. It appears to have spread a little which is always good news.
So I tried to photograph it from a different angle (looking upwards) with the sunlight above the petals.

Mistle Thrush

The Mistle Thrush is the largest of the spotted thrushes. Its a resident bird and produces two broods from March to June.

It can be confused with the smaller Song Thrush. Closer examination reveals that the brown spots on the lower belly are larger and more round and the belly is cream rather than white. It has a large dark eye and the light ring around the eye is more pronounced. Its stance is also bold and upright.

You are more likely to see the Mistle in the open fields as opposed to the Song that tends to remain under cover more.




This juvenile is being encouraged to get to grips with a large worm.

A Bird Day

A good bird observation day for me.

The Garden Warbler.
I had to seek expert advice on this first bird as I was uncertain what it was. Warblers can be confusing at times if you are not well researched on them.

A summer visitor from April to October. It produces one brood of 4/5 eggs from May to July. It has a beautiful song.

Oddly enough I have never observed or photographed this species before so this was a good find for me.



The Song Thrush.
Once extremely common, unfortunately the Song Thrush is declining in many areas of the Country now. The exact reasons are not known, but it is believed that changes in farming practises such as removal of hedgerows, changes in crop sowing times. Use of slug pellets in gardens may in part also be a cause. Whatever the reasons the decline has been recorded mainly on farmland areas. However the World population overall is stable and not threatened.

It would be a great shame if we lost this bird in the British Isles.


A skulking male Blackcap was observed hopping partially obscured by stinging nettles and foliage through a hedgerow. I did get one reasonable shot of him. (This one has been ringed at some stage)


Two good sized Mallard ducklings (two of a family of three) was observed making their way across Lilly pads on a large river.


A Grey Heron's party trick, standing on one leg on a sloping branch.


Try this outdoor sport. Attempting to photograph Swallows from a bridge whilst they are flying low along the water and under the bridge. This was definitely the best of a bad bunch. {:)

Two Common Species

Two common and often overlooked species are the Dunnock and the female Mallard Duck. This is mainly because both are very common and not brightly marked and one tends to overlook them.

However, if you catch them in the right circumstances, they are quite attractive and well worth the look and/or photograph.

This male Dunnock's plumage looks splendid with the mayflower background and the patchy sunlight.




The female Mallard caught in the air and on the ground in the right light also stands out very well.



So if you are carrying the camera and you see common species that you may not normally give a second look, take a shot or two anyway. You may be surprised at the results sometimes.

Common Blue Butterfly

The Common Blue Butterfly (Polyommatus icarus).

Following on from my post yesterday, I visited one location on the ride where I hoped to and had previously found species of blue butterflies.

The Common Blue is as the name suggests very common throughout the British Isles. Its a member of the Lycaenidae family. It is quite a small species with a wingspan from 29 to 36 mm.

Note that the female has the brighter orange dots and darker brown colour on the underside of her wings.

They fly from May to June with a break and again from July to September.

It feeds mainly on Bird's-foot trefoil and white clover. I found these mainly on white clover and grass sheltering from the wind. As it was very windy they were in a grassed area not exposed.

The Pair.
Male on left and female on right of photograph.


Being in the right place at the right time I was able to record this union from the outset.


The Female



The Male

Scenes from a Cycle Ride

Scenes from my latest cycle ride.

If I go down a certain road I always check on the Jacob's Sheep. As you can see the lambs are not little anymore, nearly as big as their mums.


This field of potatoes are growing well, which is not surprising having regard to the rain we have had recently.



However this patch, which has hardly broken the surface is obviously in need of water to bring them on.


The barley crop in this field is already tall and green. It is being blown about by the winds today which visually gives that shimmering effect.



These beef cattle came running across the field to see what I had to give them. Nothing unfortunately.


This tractor is being used to spread artificial fertiliser on a wheat crop.


The Mayflower and Cow Parsley tops the green hedgerows and banks now.


My next post will feature images of one species of Butterfly that I found today.