a snake in the grass cuttings

I can't tell you how much pleasure it gives me to discover a grass snake in our garden and to be able to photograph it basking in the sun (the first sun for two weeks I am told). It is lying on a compost heap where apparently they often lay their eggs. It is a sign that our garden is supporting the sort of wildlife diversity that we have long hoped for. The bulge towards the tail is either an unfortunate amphibian, or perhaps some eggs. Long but not venomous, and sometimes called ringed because of the yellow collar around its neck.

Close inspection of the photos shows two, possibly three orange/red blobs on the back of the snake's head. These are snake mites (see link). What a strange rich world we live in.

we are back, to a very wet soggy and miserable scene. At least we have had two weeks of warm sun on our backs. Spot is very pleased to be back on line but the only things to photo are bedraggled plants and puddles. Is this our punishment for starting the industrial revolution?

butterfly heaven

white admiral (top) and purple emperor (bottom) on same day within 10 minutes of each other. I love France!

off we go

They are off to France and Spain for a couple of weeks so we are off the leash with Auntie Ruth!!

small pearl bordered fritillary

we went in search of the marsh fritillary today at Wimalford farm which lies in the long narrow valley of the Fowey river that runs down from Bodmin moor south of Jamaica Inn. The area is very marshy and covered in low scrub, cotton grass and heath spotted orchids. It was dull and overcast and we didn't find any marsh fritillaries but we managed to spot two small pearl bordered fritillaries, one of which was torpid enough to allow some close up photos.

after the show

elegy on a steam engine

The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,
The plume of steam winds slowly o'er the lea,
As the engine homeward plods its weary way,
And leaves the world to darkness and to me.