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The fields and hedgerows were ablaze with red poppies,... |
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but there were many wild flowers in the mix. |
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Poppies on one side of the path, and.... |
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on the sandy banks of the other side, a Bee-eater's nesting site . |
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Here is one just outside the tunnel leading to his nest. |
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These brightly coloured berries grew everywhere in the hedgerows ,. It is the Mediterranean smilax, ( s. áspera) in fruit. It's berries are unpalatable for human consumption, but they are a great source of nourishment for birds. |
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Many had what seemed like spider's webs tightly wound around some of the clusters. |
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The European Bee-eater can often be seen perched on fences and cable wires. |
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This one caught a bee in mid air. The Bee-eater can eat around 250 bees a day, it's main source of food, but they also eat dragonflies, and other insects. |
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Their bright colours are not evident in these flight shots, but they were very far away. |
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Back in the hedgerow, there was plenty to see. |
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The underwings of the Marbled White. |
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The Marsh Fritillary. |
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The Small White. |
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Some more berries without the webs. |
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You can clearly see the two elongated central tail feathers in this shot. Sexes are alike, but the female tends to have more green rather than gold on shoulders. |
GOOD FENCES
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
I'D-RATHER-B-BIRDIN
