Birds do it, beetles do it...

As a respite from all the moths, here are two beetles having a fine time. They're always at it, this species...

photos taken with Canon Powershot A640

Good evening garden

Soldier Beetles mating


Ladybird: The Movie




The Barn Owl was thrilling. Some Swallow alarm calls alerted me to its presence, hunting over the field at the back of the garden. I watched it floating to and fro - and heard it dive into the grass - before deciding that I really should be outside with my camera.

Next, I watched it from the kitchen and saw it fly along next-door's garden fence. I ran to the front door and opened it as quietly as I could - just in time to watch the owl cross our garden about 10 feet away!

The sun had nearly disappeared over the horizon. Pointlessly, I crept outside, trying not to rustle. Pointless, I suppose, because it could probably hear my stomach digesting my dinner from half a mile away, never mind me trudging over the lawn.

I didn't have to wait long before the Barn Owl flew towards my position in the garden. Closer and closer and closer... It's amazing how they seem not to spot you until you do something like press a button and the camera makes a great big noisy clicking sound... It veered off across the field.


photos and video taken with Canon Powershot A640
owl photo taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM

On the heath

male Broad-bodied Chaser - what a beast!

Four-spotted Chaser

Large Red Damselflies. This pair had a lucky escape when the female became entangled in a spider's web, but they made their escape

Soldier Beetle

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

Soldier Beetle

Rhagonycha fulva

photos taken with Nikon Coolpix 995

Lunchtime at Bedford Purlieus

Got a lift out at lunchtime with Brian 'Natural Stone' Stone and Mike 'Weedon's World of Nature' Weedon to one of my favourite spots, Bedford Purlieus NNR. Finally, other people are seeing the light and what a fantastic place it is!

We were on the lookout for White-letter Hairstreak and White Admiral butterflies. We failed on the first count, but scored on the second, thanks to an excellent piece of spotting by Brian. The beautiful beast was up in a tree and was unphotographable, unfortunately. Still, it was a lifer for two of us and a ‘PBC tick’ for the other.


Speckled Woods were plentiful, though, and easily photographed.


This is a Soldier Beetle, Rhagonycha fulva, I think.



What's in my CD player: Aw Cmon - Lambchop