May 31 2015

Weekly Photo Challenge: On the Way 2

Whilst walking yesterday I saw a little Chalk Hill Blue butterfly fly across the path in front of me. I stood and watched, as is my custom, to see where he went. Usually I follow for a while then the blooming’ butterfly zooms off somewhere I can’t follow….never are they easy to photograph because if you do manage to sneak up on them, they seem to sense you coming and fly off before the camera has time to focus.

However…..

I couldn’t believe my luck….Charlie Boy Chalk Hill Blue stayed right where he had landed!

I held my breath and circled round the other side…

Whoop dee doo! Still Charlie Boy Chalk Hill Blue remained on the grass!

So….what about a full frontal I thought!

Full frontal accomplished!

This eerie stillness and it being the beginning of the butterfly season led me to think that Charlie Boy Chalk Hill Blue is ‘on the way‘ to being ready to begin his adult life! For after coming out of the chrysalis, they need to dry out and don’t fly far until they are ready!

In fact, so dozy was he, I could bend the piece of grass this way and that to get the perfect diagonal arty farty photo!…..

The Chalk Hill Blue is about as big as your thumb nail…a little chap!

That’s All

See Ya xx

May 30 2015

Weekly Photo Challenge: On the Way

The challenge this week is ‘On the Way’….

I’ve been hoping I could use this photo sometime soon….it did make me chuckle when I first saw it!

Bertie Blue Tit was ‘on the way‘ to the delicious seeds laid on for him by the camera woman!

That’s All!

See Ya xx

May 26 2015

Weekly Photo Challenge: Broken

So this week’s challenge is ‘Broken‘…..

“I’m very very sorry, I really really am,
But I just cannot look at you
For I don’t feel very glam!”
It’s true Melinda Meercat
Is feeling very low
And the reason for this trouble can be found upon her toe!

“It’s just no good, I don’t feel ready
To face my public today,
For without my full set of fingernails
I don’t know what more I can say!”
It happened when she was climbing
Up upon this rock
She slipped and caught her front left leg,
She had an enormous shock!

And she sits here positively not looking at me Because her fingernail is broken And poor Melinda Meercat knows The nail salon ain't open

And here she sits not looking at me
Because her fingernail is broken
And poor Melinda Meercat knows
The nail salon ain’t open!

That’s All!

See Ya xx

May 22 2015

Weekly Photo Challenge: Broken

I was hoping for a different title for this week’s challenge -maybe something like “Blue tit hovers strangely above bird table” or “I found a Black Cap in the field but I couldn’t wear it!” As you may guess, I have photos that would work with these themes perfectly!

But when I thought about it I found I did have some photos that I think fit the bill of “Broken“. So here goes!

That’s All!

See Ya xx

May 21 2015

Weekly Photo Challenge: Enveloped

In the fields behind my house, where I walk most days, there are many stinging nettles on the path side. On one particular day I noticed that the top of the nettle had something all around it….you could say ‘enveloped‘ by a web looking thing (technical jargon I know, but I think you understand!).

“Oh,” I thought, “I remember…small tortoiseshell butterflies lay their eggs on nettles….”

In a few days this happens…..

They start to grow….

and grow.

And here’s what the adult small tortoiseshell looks like….

May 19 2015

Weekly Photo Challenge: Enveloped

Whilst out walking between showers today I saw this strange thing fly in front of me. It seemed rather awkward and as if it was a little heavy for itself!

Then I realised it was my old mate Emp (Empis Tessellata to give him his full name).

Only he had attached himself to what I believe to be his dinner!

His dinner was more than likely feeling a little ‘enveloped’ and NOT in a good way!

Emp belongs to the family of Dagger flies, in case you were wondering!

The view from above! Apparently the name 'dagger flies' refers to long pointed proboscis that they sometimes uses to pierce other insects.

The view from above!
Apparently the name ‘dagger fly’ refers to long pointed proboscis that they sometimes use to pierce other insects.

Yep, definitely a bit of piercing going on here!
“For goodness sake!” hissed Emp in an irritated manner, “Can’t you see I’m busy? AND he is quite heavy!”

That’s All!

See Ya xx