elvers and others

an elver from the Inny, recently died. Its mouth is designed for sucking the life juices out of things, a bit like some of the humans Dad has to put up with. Dogs are more straightforward I think, once we are your friend we are your friend. It is strange how humans have come to dominate the planet, the one consolation is that their hegemony will not last forever. For example, why put a tax on rubbish in the full and certain knowledge that all that will happen is that it will be dumped in our living space. Presumably at some point there will be no space left between the rising sea and the rubbish dumps.

hill forts

Devon from the top of the ridge (dark and brooding Cornwall overlooking sunny Devon). On the other side of this steep coombe is the site of a hill fort. The map of 1816 shows it very clearly but there seems to be nothing left now.

more butterflies

with yellow rattle and wide pollinia, close up it is a jungle in there. And the meadows are full of eyebright now. But no bird's nest orchid despite tramping through miles of cluttered woodland. Where are they?

wild strawberries

sweet and delicious just in time for Wimbledon, in woods near you.

lesser stitchwort

this slender relative of greater stitchwort is beginning to appear in abundance in the meadows. Its stamens have a dusting of red pollen almost like cinnamon powder.

banded agrion

this is the male banded demoiselle staying still just long enough to be snapped.