Blog Header

Blog Header

Thursday 20 November 2014

Probably my last buggy post of the year

These pictures were all taken in early November, when I noticed that my 'Ivy tree' out the front of the house was absolutely buzzing with insects when the sun was shining. I didn't manage to capture any butterflies on it but I could see out of the window that some were flying either towards or away from it, so I had to take my camera out for a bit of a look see. Ivy only flowers when it's in a sunny situation so whilst I've got tons of it growing in the woodland, it isn't of much use to the pollinating insects as it rarely flowers in that situation. But because it flowers so late in the year it is an important food source for late flying bees, butterflies, hoverflies, wasps, flies, well basically anything that will eat pollen and nectar. And the critters who will eat those insects..... mwahahahaha!

An Eristalis sp. hoverfly - there were loads of these about.

Clockwise from top left: Honey bee, an extremely tiny unknown hoverfly,
an unknown solitary bee and an Eristalis hoverfly.

Ivy flowers.

Dock Bugs (Coreus marginatus) are still around, although I'm a bit unsure as to where it's
hiding its head as its antennae appear to be coming from under the seed head!

Droplet hanging off one of the flowers turned seed head.

As usual, where there are flying insects there are spiders.......

Suitor no. 1 in the middle didn't get lucky - he's a bit stuck in the web. This doesn't seem to
be putting off suitor no. 2 on the left. I think these are Metellina segmenta and as you can see,
the female is quite different from the males. 

'Ivy Tree' growing over an old tree stump which we cut off about 5 foot high.

It was just as well I hadn't totted up my 2014 garden butterfly count as on 30th October I finally saw a Small Copper butterfly, but just like the dragonfly photo here, as I was creeping closer and closer trying to get better close up photos, both insects flew off - due to cats suddenly appearing and wandering past them! Aaarrggh!

I've still seen some butterflies this month but only on the sunny days, including a Clouded Yellow in the middle of the month, and another Western Willow Spreadwing (a damselfly) on the 11th November, which is quite amazing.

Very end of October - a Speckled Wood on the left, a Ruddy Darter (I think)
top right and a Small Copper bottom right.

The pond level kept getting higher and higher and finally submerged
the wildflowers that grew in the pond bed during the summer months.

"We want to go in the veg patch!"

Or maybe not - they suddenly realised Bertie was in there
creeping up on them on the other side of the fence!

A few starlings zoomed in on - so many of them around right now.
I hadn't noticed the one bottom left so I didn't chop him off on purpose!

Harry sunning himself in what at that time remained of the pond bed. (It's full again now)

Of late I've been busy going to the hospital five days a week - but at least I'm getting out and about because the countryside is looking glorious. Mid November seems to be the optimum time for great autumn colour and this year seems particularly magnificent. I think that with the rain coming just in time after the dry September and then mild weather with only one frost and no other cold nights since then has helped. I can't get photos as we are driving along main roads so it's impossible to stop (not that I have a camera with me or really the inclination or time to take photos), but it makes what could be a monotonous journey rather enjoyable. I've had to content myself with taking photos at home, and did get a bunch more photos a few days ago. There are still quite a few flowers left and the occasional bees and hoverflies making the most of them, and fungi springing up all over the lawn. There's always something interesting when you stop to take a little time to look. And I'm making sure I get fresh air and a good walk around every day no matter how grotty I'm feeling!

26 comments:

  1. Lovely photos, love those starlings! Best wishes x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nicely done Mandy. Hopefully the new year will bring you MANY MANY buggies to photograph xox

    april

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers April, whatever happened to your dragonfly whisperer profile you had or was that a G+ one that's gone now? I know there will be loads of bugs again and look forward to them next spring. :-)

      Delete
  3. Nice to see you posting this Mandy, even if it is of retro photos. Looks like November has been kind to the bugs and insects over there and you still had a fair few. BTW...Mr Pedant here noticed that maybe you have mixed up the last two photos in that group of four?
    Those starlings look majestic in their winter coats too...

    Best wishes
    JJ.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks JJ, I have loads of retro photos I could post.... even without other problems finding the time isn't always easy, is it? :-) Well something to post in the depths of winter I guess. You did make me wonder about the order of the bugs in the caption, but I think I'm correct as I said clockwise, although it does look wrong if you don't read that word. ;-) Just found it easier than typing top left, top right, bottom left etc. :-)

      Delete
    2. "Pay attention at the back there Jeffery! She said clockwise..."

      Delete
    3. Hee hee, mind you, you got me worried for a mo!

      Delete
  4. Wonderful, as always, Mandy! I know this post was probably a bit of a challenge to put together (sitting) so thank you! Aren't we so fortunate to have our love of nature to keep our minds off all troubles (large and small). Loved the shot of Harry, by the way :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks again Marianne. The garden/outdoors in nature is a godsend for healing, even just to get rid of the winter blues - as you can imagine, we have a lot of grey and gloom here during the winter months. I've been trying to take more photos of the cats, but getting them to look at the camera is not proving very successful! I have many with their backs to me.... :-)

      Delete
  5. No inverts visible here now except a few moths :o( I miss them all. Loved your photos. Been thinking of you and hoping all is going well xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you CT - been gloomy of late and not much about here either in the way of buggy things, but on my odd forays out in the garden to get me some fresh air at least there are pretty leaf colours and 'shrooms! Starting to feel the effects of chemo/radiotherapy so not feeling that great right now. :-( xx

      Delete
    2. Sending you lots of positive thoughts. Stay strong xx

      Delete
  6. Lovely as usual, the only life I have seen in the garden lately are worms...ugh....I don't normally mind them but they are over two feet long and languish by the back door when it's raining, waiting for the kitten to bring them in.

    Chickens are funny aren't they? It doesn't matter how much space they have the always want whatever is behind the fence!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Debrazzaman - interesting about your 2 foot long worms. When we were in the Basque country (Spanish side) we came across some worms that were ginormous - 3 foot+ long - never seen anything like it in my life before! Wouldn't fancy them in my garden!! Also my cats when young started with bringing in worms, before they moved on to every kind of small rodent in the garden, but no rats yet.

      Poor hens - I like to let them out as they have little in the way of edible vegetation left in their runs (their fault for digging it up) but when I let them out they tend to get chased by my horrible cats. :-) Still think they prefer to go out so they can dig in the needles under the conifers and the same in the wild bits of my woodland - it's just when they decide to do the same to my flower beds I get a tad annoyed...... :-)

      Delete
  7. Great post and pics Mandy, making me miss Brittany, loving your Starling pic. Only bug I have seen here in Yorkshire was a wasp today in Aldi! It tried to attack a child at the checkout, but I bravely put my hand in front of sprogs face while letting Mum know of the impending attack.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ian! It's looking really lovely over here although it's just a bit past it's best right now. If we had some sun I bet there would still be some insects about and even possibly a few butterflies but it's drizzle, rain and gloom right now. You were very brave in Aldi. :-) Take care and thank you. :-)

      Delete
  8. Lovely pictures Mandy and I can so identify with your comments about the countryside looking glorious. Now we've moved to lovely Lydford in Devon a trip out in any direction is a delight. A far cry from Greenford and all the Industrial Estates etc...

    Philippa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Philippa! I can imagine how wonderful it is for you in your new home and location! You'll be getting into insects soon in that country location of yours, hahaha! Well if not, at least the wild flowers, nature and all that lovely fresh air after London. So pleased you are enjoying yourselves and I'm sorry that I am not able to be in touch as much as I'd like. Hopefully in the spring...... :-) Take care and lots of love. xx

      Delete
  9. Hi Mandy , nice to hear you are still managing to get out during the day, lovely post and photos. I managed to get out to day for the first time in weeks, the weather has been horrid, dull and grey have not enjoyed November at all, but managed to find some colour to day....
    Amanda xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Amanda and thank you! I hope that your hands are recovered enough now that when you do get a nice day you can get out there with your camera. When I'm feeling really grotty and nauseous I have a walk around the garden as fresh air really helps. I'm just looking at the leaves and fungi but not necessarily taking photos, that's less important at the moment. Just seeing nature before winter takes a real hold helps me lots. xx

      Delete
  10. I do love your photos Mandy, especially the close ups. I hope your treatments going well and your not feeling too grotty.xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Deb - thanks for your nice comment. 9 sessions down and another 19 to go! I don't feel great and I'm sure it'll get worse but in the long run it is worth it. Just have to gird my loins and try to put up with it. I'm reading tons as not feeling much like social media but I've got a little netbook on order so soon I'll be able to do more on the net in bed or on the sofa without having to sit (uncomfortably) at my big desktop. :-) I have some more photos from a few days ago to share when there was last a little bit of sunshine!

      Delete
  11. As long as its not your last post Mandy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can't get rid of me from blogland that easily, Roy. ;-)
      At this rate, with lack of frosts, I'll probably still have some flowers in Dec!

      Delete