The Mark

The Comma Butterfly
Polygonia c-album

 

 

 

The Comma butterfly is named for comma-like mark on underside of hind wing. The ragged wings are mottled brown and resemble dead leaves which are perfect camouflage for when the adult overwinters in hedges and undergrowth. It measures 24mm,feeds on Hops Stinging Nettle and Elm, and can be seen in light woodland hedgerows and gardens.

The Lap in Luxury.

The Lapwing
Vanellus vanellus
 

Hi fellow bloggers! I hope you all had a very Happy Easter. Saw this beauty on my travels, and although I have seen them nearer home, because of the most unseasonable dull and rainy weather, this is one of the few captures I made whilst on holiday.The Lapwing is about 30 cm long. It's black and white plumage is striking enough, but the black feathers also have a beautiful metalic green sheen to them. It is easily recognised by it's long thin crest. It has rounded wings, and flight pattern is zig-zag, with acrobatic rolls and dives. Will be catching up with all your blogs as soon as posible, see you:)

Decorative Duck 3

Sorry fellow bloggers but I don't know the name of this duck. They are two different ducks taken on different days but are the same kind. They are probably farmyard ducks, but I can't be sure. I will be taking a short break, just for a couple of weeks, so will see you on my return.

A Warbler

The Blackcap
Sylvia atricapilla

 

Because the Blackcap usually keep well concealed, they don't really stay long enough on the bird tale or feeders, for me to get really good shots of them, however I was pleased to get any shot at all, so here they are.Black cap distinguishes the male and reddish brown cap the female. Juvenile resembles the female.They breed in woods, parks and gardens.

Beetle on Bristly Locust

The Rose acasia
Robina hispida

 

The Rose acasia is also known as the Bristly Locust, or Rose locust. It is a shrub or small tree and can even be trained as a supported climber. It grows to 2-4m tall with bristly stems and small pea like flowers which fall in large clusters.They attract many insects such as the longhorn beetle, and many butterflies.

Vigilant

The  Crested Tit
Parus cristatus

Another picture of a bird on one of my peanut feeders I'm afraid.The feeders are in well lit areas of my garden and entice the birds out of the coniferous trees, where it is almost impossible for me to get a good shot. The Crested Tit is easily recognised by it's well visible crest, and it's black and white head markings in all sexes and ages alike.

Caterpiller Charm

I have hesitated in posting this caterpiller, because I don't know if it's a moth or butterfly caterpiller, so don't know it's name. There are so many different ones, and it's been very difficult to identify.

Quietly Quietly.

The Treecreeper
Certhia familiaris

The Treecreeper likes a mixture of nuts dried fruit and cake

The Treecreeper breeds fairly commonly in older woodlands and established gardens and parks. In S Europe it prefers coniferous woods at higher altitudes.

Tit forTea

The Blue Tit
Parus caeruleus

The Blue Tit is a sweet little bird. It measures 11cm, and it's blue cap, wings and tail make it easily recognizable. Juviniles in summer have yellow cheeks and greyish-green cap. It can be found in mixed woods, parks and gardens.

Another Flutterby

The Meadow Fritillary
Melitaea parthenoides ( Nymphalidae )

The colourful orange upperwings are adorned with black markings, and the wing tips have chequered fringe.

Orange and white on underwings.
 

This small butterfly (wing span 4cm) favours open flowery meadows from lowlands to lower mountain slopes of around 2,ooom.

These Don't Get My Goat

The goat

 

 

 

 

A couple of days ago we ( hubby and I ) went up the mountain and discovered these unattended goats.I think the long haired bearded one is my favourite, and I'm only sorry that I didn't get the opportunity of taking more photos.I really must go back there one day and try to find them again.

Good Wishes

 

Yesterday I hadn't prepared a Christmas post,so I quickly went outside and took this photo of the front door. It wasn't snowing, but I added the not very convincing snow flakes just for fun:) I want to thank all of you who regularly visit my blog, and give you my warmest best wishes. Although I have already visited many of your blogs to wish you a Merry Christmas, and many of you have passed by to wish me the same, I still want to be sure that I have not left anyone out, so Merry Christmas everyone, and a very Happy New Year to you and your families. See you all in 2013.

Eagle Eyed

The Short- toed Snake Eagle
Circaetus gallicus

 

The Short-toed Snake Eagle is a medium bird of prey. It can be found in open cultivated plains and deciduous scrub areas. As it's name implies, it's diet consists mainly of snakes and other reptiles, mostly lizards.

In It's Element

The Marsh Frog
Pelophylax ridibundus

 

Taking a leap to the bottom of the pond using it's long hind legs
 

Breeding takes place in March and April

The smaller male holds on tightly to the larger female whilst mating

The March Frog has a large head, and it's eyes are on top of it's head. When swimming it can remain submerged whilst looking for prey, and keeping safe from predators .

The lighter green back stripe is clearly visible on this photo

The March frog is Europes largest water dwelling frog, and a powerful swimmer. It is also an amazing jumper,and always ready to jump into deep water at the first sign of a disturbance sprinting with it's long back legs. It is green in colour although there is a large variation in colour pattern, ranging from dark green to brown or grey. A lighter green line on the back is generally present. The female grows to 17cm in length but the male is much smaller. The diet of the March Frog consists of dragonflies and small invertebrates.

A Charmer

The Coal Tit

Tufty Ears and Bushy Tails

The Red Squirrel

 

 

 

 

 

They come in all shapes and sizes.Some are chubby and in certain positions I think they look more like little bears than squirrels, and others are slender. Some are red like these, and others are light or dark brown,and can be even black in colour. Their striking ear tufts are a prominent distinguishing feature of the Red Squirrel in Winter, but they lose them in Summer. Their bushy tails vary in volume, but are usually 15-20 cm in length.They are daily visiters to the garden and give me endless pleasure.

Enigma

One evening about three years ago I came across this unfamiliar sight. I stood there in disbelief as I took this photo with a small digital camera, because it was something I had never seen before, or since for that matter. It gave me quite a start, as it was so alien looking. Could it be some sort of reproductive process, or something more sinister!! Any ideas fellow bloggers, what is happening here?

Pastoral Picture

Sheep and Lambs

The Cork Trees have recently been stripped of their bark

This is a familiar sight for me as it's just outside our gate, but I could'nt decide which photo to post, so chose these three.

Mouse Moment

The Wood Mouse 
Apodemus sylvaticus

The Wood Mouse is largely nocturnal.It has a pointed snout and the ears are very large.
 

The Wood Mouse eats a long list of things, including fungi, worms, insects, fruits and seeds.