Beautiful Demoiselle

The Male Beautiful Demoiselle   Camopteryx virgo 

 

Both male and female visited my garden last week. Today I would like to show you the beautiful male Camopteryx virgo.

Greenfinches Continued

Female Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

 

 

 

The adult male Greenfinch has as you can see on a previous post an attractive yellowish green colour, whilst the female shown here, has a much duller brownish greyish green colour, different again from the streaked juvanile. It's a small bird of (15cm) with a relatively heavy pale triangular beak. All have slightly forked tails.

More Finches

Juvenile  Greenfinch   Carduelis chloris
 

 

 

 

 

 

The adult female has grey-brown slightly streaky upperparts. The upperparts are tinged with yellow, and there is less yellow on the wings and tail than the male. The bills and legs of both sexes are flesh coloured. Juveniles are similar to females but have darker streaks above and below.This one is  pretty heavily streaked, so  must be a juvenile! I have taken quite a few photos of Greenfinches and will be showing more in other posts. 

A Finch

The Male Greenfinch     Carduelis chloris
 

 

 

 

The flash of yellow told me that the greenfinch was back. I had seen it hiding in the conifer the day before, but it didn't come to the feeder. I threw a few sunflower seeds on the ground as I do every evening and hoped it would be brave enough and hungry enough to come down in time for me to get to my hide before the light faded.It came, and eventually brought all the family which I will show you on another post.

The Mountain Laurel

The Mountain Laurel   Kalmia latifolia
 

Today I want to show you my favourite shrub in the garden, the lovely Mountain Laurel. It's an evergreen shrub/tree with dark green glossy leaves which belongs to the heath family, and is a close relative of the rhododendrons and azálias. Mine stands 1 meter 50 tall, by I meter 20 wide, and I just love the large flower clusters, and tiny buds which form in May. It is the spring and summer flower display that make it a special part of my woodland garden. The showy light pink to white flowers resemble shallow cups or bowls l inch wide, and are borne in clusters, best seen in my last photo. They are great for cutting and make beautiful floral displays.

A Little Clouded Today

The Clouded Yellow Colias crócea ( Pieridae )

 

 

Resting Clouded Yellows rarely if ever open their wings fully. In flight the dominant orange-yellow wing colour can be seen. The upper wings have a broad dark brown margin.

Green Demoiselle

The Beautiful Demoiselle   Calopteryx virgo  The adult female