Tuesday, June 30, 2009

The foggy coast

Back from a long weekend in Norfolk, in which we enjoyed different climatic conditions to the rest of the region. Winds blew mist in off the North Sea and kept the cloud cover to 100% for much of the time. The result was we didn't suffer the sweaty heat that everyone else did, though it was still fairly humid.

Stiffkey Fen
Stiffkey Fen

Titchwell in the fog
The beach at Titchwell



Strumpshaw Fen
We camped at Reedham, right next to the Yar, and not far from Strumpshaw Fen, where we started Saturday.

Orchid
There were orchids-a-plenty. This might be a Southern Marsh Orchid, or apparently it could be a hybrid. I have no idea. To me it's just a pretty pink flower.

Small Tortoiseshell
Loads of butterflies about, with Small Tortoiseshells most common
Emerald damselfly
Female Emerald Damselfly
Black-tailed Skimmer
Male Black-tailed Skimmer
Very Hairy Caterpillar
Very Hairy Caterpillar, probably a Vapourer moth

Upton Broad
Next, Upton Broad, a Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserve. Here we skored Swallowtail butterfly - a mighty impressive beast, the first I've seen since a holiday to France when I was 11! - Norfolk Hawker dragonfly and...

Variable Damselfly
What appears to be a Variable Damselfly

Large Skipper
Lots of Large Skippers, too.

Herb Robert
Another pink flower, which might be Herb Robert. Remember, I don't know anything about plants

After that, we went up to the north Norfolk coast, which was somewhat less productive, but still enjoyable: Ruff, Spotted Redshank, lots of cute, fluffy Avocet babies
Lane at Kelling
and a Hobby being mobbed by a Black-headed Gull
Black-headed Gull mobbing Hobby

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM or with Canon Powershot A640

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous12:23 am

    Swallowtail, you lucky person. Its a Herb Robert Katie.

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  2. Yes, we were lucky 'cos we only saw one! I think they're coming to the end of their flying period, so an earlier visit next year will be needed.

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