Don't be so cheeky!

I caught this Small Skipper cheekily poking out its tongue at me... and what a tongue it is

There seemed to be a lot of flirting (or fighting?) going on

You can just about see the diagnostic antennae tips which distinguish this from Essex Skipper (Essex Skipper's are all black)

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

Things that fly

One in approximately 24 billion attempts to photograph dragonflies in flight. Still not sharp, but I can't afford to be fussy


This Hummingbird Hawkmoth fed on next-door's Buddleia before visiting our Lavender and mint


Small Skipper

Bumblebee on Thistle (thankyou, Mother...)

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

Gardening

Painted Lady on Lavender

Meadow Brown on Cranesbill

It finally stopped raining for a short while this afternoon, so I managed to do a bit of tidying up in the garden (believe me, there is a lot that needs doing).

It was a very pleasant surprise to see some butterflies enjoying the plants... a single Painted Lady and about half a dozen Meadow Browns. They joined the bumblebees on the Cranesbill and Lavender in the flower bed, plus the clover growing in the lawn and some Catmint. I know some people don't like clover in their lawns, but sod it, if it's good for insects, I want it.

The insect-attracting plants were already in situ when we moved in six months ago, so I ought to say thankyou to whoever planted them. They're all purple, but it does the job nicely.

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

Grasshopper

A tiny grasshopper I found sitting on some lavender in the garden.

photos taken with Nikon Coolpix 995