common blue

this beautiful almost irridescent butterfly is feeding on some germander speedwell. The undersides of its wings are surprisingly different and pretty. This one looks as if it has emerged very recently.

millennial visit

on getting up this morning I discovered that someone unknown has gone and been the 1000th visitor. I have pawed over the small print of this popular competition and have discovered that in the event of an anonymous visit, the 1001 visitor gets the picture. So I am sending a huge signed picture of me to myself.

Happy Birthday everyone.

lots of love Spot

young rooks

close up of young rook showing characteristic black feathers at base of beak. This youngster was very unwell, and may well have been hit by a car. Despite a lot of tlc, including warmth and saffron cake, it did not do well.

the blessed bennet

much used in herbal medicine, the name of this persistent and widespread weed is apparently a corruption of herba benedicta, or blessed herb. Later it develops a fascinating little seed head with sharp hooks for lodging in rough coats, hence no doubt the beneficial effect of hair of the dog. I say eat the dog and forget the herbs. No, I don't.

cats' ears

you may wonder what this is; it is the ear that gives this plant its name. Not much of a cat, if a lurcher may say so. But the flower is beautiful, like all of the hawkbit and dandelion family

marsh orchids

while the boss was getting excited about this southern marsh orchid, IN A FIELD NEAR YOU! The green sepals pointing up are supposed to look like a bird's wings. This is not really in the known range of the marsh orchids so he may be mistaken.

Anyway, come with us, take a walk, let life in.