skippers

... and finally on this lovely July day, a skipper (hesperiidae), skipper for their darting about flight, this is the large skipper feeding on some knapweed in the Greenscombe meadows. Like lurchers they are described as primitive, being hairy with prominent eyes, and moth like ( as opposed to moth eaten).

whinchat

this chirpy individual (probably a female) is a whinchat, very noisy and tuneful but shy. Chat by name and chat by nature

Summer evenings

summer evenings, bright hard light making the grasses shimmer in the hedgerows. Has there been a summer quite like this in recent years? And then we met the Rationalist out walking; I must say he is not nearly as scary in the flesh as he seems on the page. He told me he could see now why I got second prize ... do I do irony?

knapweed

although knapweed is common it is a colourful plant. Knap means knob apparently. The bracts (the bits surrounding the petals) are marvellously complicated and shaped like little fringes or combs. Much loved by bees and butterflies. These sensible plants develop as males and then change to females, and were used to predict proximity of appropriate suitors.

small copper

not our community PC but a small attractive butterfly, feeding on some ragwort. Is it my imagination or is ragwort taking over the planet? The meadows are full of butterflies and moths at present.

sheeps bit

sheeps bit again but a much better photo taken in the lane up to Duchy College, and showing the delicate flower structure. It is in exactly the same place as two years ago. The sound of music from Whiteford is washing over us tonight, and then there will be fireworks to celebrate my birthday, and Cassie will hide her head under the bed and Uncle Max will have a fit.