formation flying

it's that time of year again when newly fledged swallows are trying out and developing their aerial skills like a squadron of jet aircraft doing aerobatics.

blackbird bathing beauty

even its mother wouldn't recognise this dishevelled mess of feathers as a blackbird

more purple and orange

today we saw 14 species of butterfly in one meadow :- ringlet, meadow brown, small heath, speckled wood, large white, marbled white, small white, comma (lots of them) silver washed fritillary, red admiral, small tortoiseshell, small skipper, small copper, and gatekeeper; admittedly all quite common but nevertheless that is about 1 in 5 of all our native species (and no blues). The photo above is of the very attractive small copper, and the photo below is of yet another purple flowering plant (less common than some of the others).

the Liskeard show 2

the warm up ring for horses and riders.

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a crowd of alpacas

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big bulls

donkey judging

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the Liskeard show

Liskeard is about 10 miles (16km) away from us. The show is quite big and full of rural interest, especially food and livestock. England (or Cornwall if you prefer) as it used to be, and simple pleasures enjoyed by all.

Judging the live stock

waiting our turn.

taking risks

donkey derby


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purple patches 2

and these